2025 Event Schedule
Thursday, September 18th
- 6:00p - 8:30p @ The Office - Attendee Check-In, grab goodie bags, enjoy some pizza and meet/greet fellow attendees
- 7:30p - 8:30p @ Saloon - Instructors Meeting
Friday, September 19th
- 6:30a - 7:15a @ The Office/Taurus USA Bullpen - Attendee Check-In, grab goodie bags, continental breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee, etc.)
- 7:15a - 7:45a @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - Welcome and opening remarks, mandatory safety briefing for all attendees
- 8:00a - 12:00p @ Various - Training Day 1 begins!
- 12:00p - 1:15p @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - Lunch is served
- 1:30p - 5:30p @ Various - Training Day 1, Afternoon
- 6:30p - 11:30p @ Wilshire Gun - Low-Light Courses
- 6:00p - 8:30p @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - CCW Safe Dinner (Food will be served)
Saturday, September 20th
- 7:00a - 7:45a @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - Continental Breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee, etc.)
- 8:00a - 12:00p @ Various - Training Day 2, Morning
- 12:00p - 1:15p @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - Lunch is served
- 1:30p - 5:30p @ Various - Training Day 2, Afternoon
- 6:00p - 8:30p @ The HK Clubhouse - Guardian Nation VIP & Staff Dinner (All current active Guardian Nation members, instructors, sponsors and staff invited)
Sunday, September 21st
- 7:00a - 7:45a @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - Continental Breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee, etc.)
- 8:00a - 12:00p @ Various - Training Day 3, Morning
- 12:00p - 1:15p @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - Lunch is served
- 1:30p - 5:30p @ Various - Training Day 3, Afternoon
- 6:00p - 8:00p @ The Taurus USA Bullpen - Celebration Dinner (Food will be served)
2024 Course Info
Below is the class schedule from 2024. The 2025 curriculum has not yet been set but we provide the following as an example of what you might expect.
Chris Cypert
Citizens Defense Research - citizensdefenseresearch.com
Course Title
Force-on-Force Adaptive Scenario Training (FFAST)
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
N/A
Brief Description
This class examines how to layer and integrate a broad spectrum of self-defense skills with sound decision-making in order to succeed in complex self-defense situations. The class begins with presentation, demonstration, and practice of techniques to deal with ambiguous and potentially dangerous situations in public. Each attendee will have the opportunity to learn new skills, and then apply them in realistic training scenarios using training aids including air-soft pistols, inert training OC/pepper spray units (filled with pressurized water), and dulled training knives. People often wonder or speculate about how they would handle hypothetical self-defense scenarios, or violent encounters they see in the news or online. This is an opportunity to experiment with various tactics and techniques during realistic scenarios in a safe, controlled environment.
Student Gear: Ballistic eye protection, long-sleeve t-shirt/sweatshirt/jacket to provide protection from airsoft BBs, long pants and closed-toed shoes, protective gloves (optional).
Wayne Dobbs
Hardwired Tactical Shooting
Course Title
Rule 4 Defensive Pistol
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
200
Brief Description
Explores the realities of how Rule 4 (Target ID, surroundings and backstop) becomes the most important aspect of managing an armed encounter when you actually fire shots in defense of your life. Topics covered include the actual accuracy demands, the balance of speed, accuracy and assessment and the issue of bystanders, no shoots and undetemined personnel. Also addressed will be the draw, movement to viable shooting positions and avoidance of panic from unplanned pistol manipulations during an encounter.
Student Gear: If possible, bring two 8.5 x 11 color picture print outs of a loved one (child, wife, etc.)
Interactive Trigger Management
2 hrs
75
This is a hands on course intended to give the student a deep understanding of both trigger control and grip establishment to develop extreme accuracy.. The use of several LAPD/Larry Mudgett drills are used in which the student has actual hands on guidance leading to learning proper grip managment, sights/dot usage and trigger control leading to extreme accuracy performance.
Student gear: 10 -15 dedicated dummy rounds (not homemade) such as ST Action Pro, AZoom, etc. Instructor will have plenty of loaners, if a shooter has none available.
Learning the Pistol Mounted Optic
4 hrs
150
Introduction to effective learning and use of PMOs (Pistol Mounted Optics). Learning why the dot works better for us from the stance of our stress biology and the training techniques of how to learn the presentation of the dot, proper target focus, shot delivery and recovery to the dot again. Discussion of open vs closed emitter systems, mounting and zeroing.
Pistol equipped with PMO, any tools needed to maintain mounting integrity and adjustment. Instructor will have at least three Glock 45 or 17s with Aimpoint ACROs for loan; student will need to provide holsters.
Kaery Dudenhofer
Kaery Concealed - kaeryconcealed.com
Course Title
Sniper Pistol - Extreme Precision Pistol for the Guardian Citizen
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
120
Brief Description
Would it be advantageous to have the knowledge, skills, and plan to reliably make a precision pistol shot in a critical incident? This course designed to help you discover your roadmap to a reliable precision shot on demand. Uncover the mind’s most significant shooting related hurdles and the most effective options to overcome them, locate the extent of your precision capabilities (& develop confidence in them), explore shot calling, learn to avoid the over-trying trap, and develop your own unique roadmap to a precision shot on demand.
Lessons Learned From Survivors of Real Life Use of Force Encounters
2 hrs
120
This course comes directly from the survivors of real-life encounters. What knowledge, skills, and plans did these survivors rely on? What tools were most valuable? In this course we’ll fill our toolboxes with what really works according to the evidence and the survivors themselves. Once we’ve explored what works and why, we will practice these skills in combination with rich context. Prepare to prevail in the tense, uncertain, and rapidly-evolving circumstances that often characterize defensive use-of-force incidents. Join us for this principle-based, process focused course for skills and drills you can take with you in case you ever find yourself needing to defend yourself or someone you love.
The Secret Sauce to the Sub-Second Draw
4 hrs
100
A safe, efficient, accurate draw-to-first-shot is an essential skill for the responsibly armed citizen desiring to protect themselves and their loved ones. Understanding the principles of an energy-efficient presentation from holster (OWB, IWB, AIWB, Enigma) along with grip & platform essentials is where this course begins--it rapidly transitions to developing & practicing the skills needed to achieve a sub- second draw-to-first-shot without sacrificing accuracy. Learn how to consistently meet the draw-to-first-shot time national standard for CCW holders and take home with you the knowledge, skills, and plan to maintain that standard.
Erick Gelhaus
Cougar Mountain Solutions - cougarmountainsolutions.com
Course Title
Home Defense Shotgun 101
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
85
Brief Description
Discover foundational shotgun skills and how to employ them re-actively within the confines of home and business defense encounters. After discussing the nomenclature, function, and operation of the Mossberg 590 shotguns, we will work on engaging both single and multiple threats, as well as movement to cover within a structure at realistic distances for home and business owners. Ammunition requirements: 10 rounds of 00 Buckshot (2-5 round boxes), 75 rounds of #7 or #8 birdshot (3-25 round boxes); Eye & Ear protection are mandatory!
Ready Positions & Practical Application of Rules #2 & #4
4 hrs
100
Research relating to muzzle orientation and making the Don't Shoot/Shoot decision. It was developed from several different research studies looking at deadly force decision-making. Then the live fire block starts with a few traditional shooting drills before layering in issues with muzzle orientation and downrange hazards.
Handheld & Weapon Light Manipulations
4 hrs
125
This four-hour block, taught by Erick Gelhaus, starts with using your lights - handheld, weapon-mounted, and both. Erick will have you marry those skills to your handgun in ways that will work for your environment. Finally, you’ll combine all that for a decision-making and judgmental shooting exercise.
Student Gear: Student Gear: Handheld flashlight, spare batteries, weapon-mounted light optional.
Chuck Haggard
Agile Training & Consulting - agiletactical.com
Course Title
Managing Unknown Contacts
2 hrs
2 hrs
Est. Round Count
N/A
Brief Description
Managing Unknown Contacts is a critical, yet underappreciated skill, that any Concealed Carrier should work on developing. This training will introduce the student to the concept as a method to detect pre assault behavior and prevent criminal assault.
OC Spray and Less Lethal Options
2 hrs
N/A
We should have options between "a harsh word and a gun". This course will cover the subject of less than deadly force defensive tools and tactics, with an emphasis on OC spray as a defensive tool.
Grip, Sights, Trigger
4 hrs
200
This course is a practice and coaching session in improving one's trigger management and recoil control skills with the semi-auto pistol. This course should be of particular interest to folks who have issues with the dreaded "low and left" hits on target (low and right for you lefties). It will also cover the safe use of a holster, drawing and getting good hits on target.
Low-light Fundamentals
(Friday Afternoon only)
4 hrs
150
This seminar is the introductory course required to attend the live-fire shooting course held in the evening of the same day. We will cover the skill sets needed to effectively utilize a pistol in a low light environment in conjunction with white light. Subjects covered: Equipment choices, including what handgun, sights, flashlights, holsters; Utilizing a pistol in conjunction with a hand held light in a search scenario; Safely and effectively utilizing a handgun with a weapon mounted light; Utilizing a light as a force multiplier tool in a street or home defense scenario.
Student Gear: Handheld flashlight, spare batteries, weapon-mounted light optional.
Low-light Shooting and Tactics
(Friday Evening only)
3-4 hrs
175
This course is the live-fire shooting portion conducted at night that requires attendees to attend the seminar held a few hours earlier on the same day. We will cover the skill sets needed to effectively utilize a pistol in a low light environment in conjunction with white light. Subjects covered: Equipment choices, including what handgun, sights, flashlights, holsters; Utilizing a pistol in conjunction with a hand held light in a search scenario; Safely and effectively utilizing a handgun with a weapon mounted light; Utilizing a light as a force multiplier tool in a street or home defense scenario.
Student Gear: Handheld flashlight, spare batteries, weapon-mounted light optional.
Brian Hill
Course Title
Inner Game of Shooting
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
200
Brief Description
In this 4 hour block we will explore the three modes of training, technical (accuracy and precision), speed (speed and efficiency), and performance (neuroscience triggers), allowing the athlete to understand the requirements of each aspect of training. The mental game is the most important part of high-level performance, consisting of the technical/physical, psychological, and physiological. Understanding how to modulate and capitalize on these states is what will allow the shooter to perform in an accurate, consistent, efficient, and disciplined manner. Shooting is more than a technical methodology, it requires quick processing, predictive decisions, and recognition primed decision making. You can make great progress and perform at your highest level by training appropriately. This is the missing piece, and the most important.
Brian McLaughlin
Mountain Man Medical - mountainmanmedical.com
Course Title
Hostile Medicine - Scenarios
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
50
Brief Description
This class is quick and dirty scenario based training that will leave the student with an intimate knowledge of tourniquet application, wound packing, and chest seal application. This class is not for the demure, it will involve rolling around in the dirt and getting bloody as the students put their new skills to the test with a high intensity, live fire event involving role players and simulation blood and guts.
Student Gear: Pistol, holster, old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty/destroyed is highly encouraged.
Mickey Schuch
Carry Trainer - carrytrainer.com
Course Title
The Mastery of Shooting On The Move
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
200
Brief Description
This class will illuminate for the student what is prudent and necessary to engage targets at gunfight effective distances while you or your target is moving. To effectively complete this, a series of drills will be performed throughout the class. At the end of class, every student will be hitting targets while moving in in a myriad of directions and maintaining excellence in target ID and discretion. Note: While the purpose is not tactics per se, it is to develop the ability to hit anything inside of defensive gunfight distances that presents a challenge with movement. The takeaway for the student is that you can plug this into your future training be it tactical, competition, or merely fun.
Shooting From Diminished Positions
4 hrs
200
We spend the bulk of our time training on our feet. The truth is many folks have had to defend themself from a diminished position, be it on the ground, behind some type of cover, from the knees or all points in between. We will teach you to dominate from these positions.
Student Gear: Pants are recommended as we will be kneeling. Some folks like to practice in knee pads for extra protection.
Paul Sharp
Sharper Defense
Course Title
JiuJitsu for Self Defense
Length
2 hrs
Est. Round Count
N/A
Brief Description
Practical Jiujitsu for Effective Self-Defense is a comprehensive two-hour instructional course designed to equip individuals with the fundamental skills and techniques of jiujitsu for real-world self-defense situations. This course is tailored for individuals with little to no prior experience in martial arts or jiujitsu, making it accessible to beginners seeking practical self-defense skills.
Effective Knife Defense Strategies
2 hrs
N/A
This intensive training program is designed to provide participants with practical knife defense strategies to enhance personal safety and confidence in real-world situations. Effective Knife Defense Strategies course is suitable for individuals of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or have previous self-defense training, this course will empower you with essential techniques to protect yourself and others.
Tyler Tharp
Course Title
Optimizing Your Carbine
Length
2 hrs
Est. Round Count
N/A
Brief Description
With the brands and accessories for the AR-15 being seemingly endless, how do you know what’s needed, where to put it, or if it’s compatible with your carbine? And then there’s the endless world of optics choices! It can certainly be overwhelming. In this block you will get to see a few popular setups with explanations of why they are setup that way, as well as being able to “test drive” them. Feel free to bring your carbine so we can optimize it together! You will leave this block with confidence in equipping your carbine with the appropriate accessories for your application.
Carbine Operator 101
4 hrs
100
There sure are a lot of buttons, levers, etc on carbines and it’s very different from the typical hunting rifle. All of these features are there for you to take advantage of. In this class, you will learn how to properly load, manipulate, stabilize, and place accurate rounds on target with your carbine or our supplied carbines. There will even be some carbine “life hacks”, if you will. Gain the knowledge and confidence needed to operate any AR15 on the market.
Course Title
Self-Defense Law for the Real World
Length
2 hrs
Est. Round Count
N/A
Brief Description
Serious CCWers need to understand the core legal principles of self-defense. This course will not only cover that but will also be an interactive program where we will offer a list of self-defense tips that we've culled from reviewing self-defense cases, interviews with instructors and from our own experiences. We will invite the participants to choose a topic or tip to discuss in more detail. Prepare for a lively discussion which we will annotate with some self-defense scenarios!
AJ Zito
Practical Performance - practicalperformance.org
Course Title
Red Dot Performance
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
200
Brief Description
Intro to RDS Performance is intended for shooters both new to and experienced with "red dot" equipped pistols. This block will cover different types of dots, mounting, zeroing, finding the dot on presentation, and making the dot behave predictably during shooting.
Student Gear: Red/Green Dot Equipped Pistol
1911/2011 Performance
4 hrs
150
This course isn’t about performing with a gun, but letting a gun perform for you. We’ll explore the benefits of the 1911/2011 system from mastering the trigger and safeties, understanding mechanical and practical accuracy, and why every other platform in the world compares themselves to it. We’ll see that the gun will do exactly what we ask it to in both speed and accuracy by working less and allowing the efficiencies of the platform to work for us.