Event Schedule
Thursday, September 19th
- 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 20th
- 6:30a - 7:15a @ The Office/Barn - Attendee Check-In, grab goodie bags, continental breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee, etc.)
- 7:15a - 7:45a @ The Barn - Welcome and opening remarks, mandatory safety briefing for all attendees
- 8:00a - 12:00p @ Various - Training Day 1 begins!
- 12:00p - 1:15p @ The Barn - 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 @ Barn - CCW Safe Dinner (Food will be served)
Saturday, September 21st
- 7:00a - 7:45a @ The Barn - Continental Breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee, etc.)
- 8:00a - 12:00p @ Various - Training Day 2, Morning
- 12:00p - 1:15p @ The Barn - Lunch is served
- 1:30p - 5:30p @ Various - Training Day 2, Afternoon
- 6:00p - 8:30p @ The Clubhouse - Guardian Nation VIP & Staff Dinner (All current active Guardian Nation members, instructors, sponsors and staff invited)
Sunday, September 22nd
- 7:00a - 7:45a @ The Barn - Continental Breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee, etc.)
- 8:00a - 12:00p @ Various - Training Day 3, Morning
- 12:00p - 1:15p @ The Barn - Lunch is served
- 1:30p - 5:30p @ Various - Training Day 3, Afternoon
- 6:00p - 8:00p @ The Barn - Celebration Dinner (Food will be served)
Course Info
The 2024 Conference courses have NOT been finalized. The 2023 course list is provided below for reference.
Riley Bowman
Course Title
See Better, Shoot Better
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
200
Brief Description
Many classes spend time teaching grip, sights, trigger, and other fundamentals. This is a "fundamental" course that takes a different approach. During these 4 hours you will learn 3 key principles that must be understood and managed to have success at high performance shooting. You will also be introduced to the single biggest difference maker to guarantee hits on target even while under stress.
Competitive Shooting Primer
4 hrs
75
Have you wondered about competitive shooting? Does competing have defensive shooting benefits? This 4 hour course will be the perfect intro into the competitive shooting world. We will cover the basic rules, gear, how the matches work, and what to expect at your first match. Plus we will shoot an actual USPSA stage and provide some tips to help you hit the groun running.
Advanced Stage Planning for Competition
4 hrs
125
For competition shooters ready to take the next step to a more efficient approach to shooting a USPSA or IDPA stage. We will cover how to breakdown a stage through proper analysis, strategy, identifying efficiency opportunities, and methods for memorizing your stage plans to ensure nothing gets missed during a stage run.
*3 Essentials Steps to Better Shooting
4 hrs
150
In this short 4-hour block, you will learn the 3 essential things that you must do to experience success. Through understanding this you will learn better what to do with your vision, your grip, and your trigger finger. This is the foundation for everything else that follows.
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.
*Pistol Synergy
4 hrs
150
"Synergy: the combined power of a group of things when they are working together that is greater than the total power achieved by each working separately." Shooting a pistol well is simple, yet difficult. Within the fundamentals of pistol shooting there are a myriad of aspects that one can do well... or suboptimally. This four hour block will deep dive on the finer points of stance, grip, sight management, and trigger manipulation, and help the shooter increase their efficiency at the details within the fundamentals to produce improved performance.
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.
Interactive Trigger Management
4 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.
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.
Kaery Dudenhofer
Kaery Concealed - kaeryconcealed.com
Course Title
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.
Civilian Defensive Use of Force Expert Witness—Gut Wrenching Lessons From My First Few Cases
2 hrs
N/A
Although well-trained and expertly mentored I was not fully prepared for the shocking realities of walking with clients and attorneys through the punishing process of America’s legal system. This seminar attempts to pull back the screen and reveal what the majority of responsibly armed citizens have never considered regarding the legalities of defensive use of force. The role of the expert witness, getting an expert qualified/admitted, cute prosecutor tricks, the lethality hierarchy, the disparity of force problem, type(s) of training that may minimize one’s footprint or likelihood of prosecution, preparing yourself & family for the aftermath, and how your choice of holster, firearm & ammunition can significantly impact decisions made in the prosecutor’s office are just some of the topics we’ll explore in this revealing, fast-paced classroom session.
*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.
Bryan Eastridge
Eastridge Training & Consulting
Course Title
Skillbuilder 50 - Mythbusting the Fundamentals
Length
4 hrs
Est. Round Count
150
Brief Description
Think you understand the fundamentals of shooting? Or do you? Bryan breaks down the fundamentals in an eye-opening way, busting some commonly held myths along the way that will have you building skill in a right hurry!
"Rule 1" Guns and Gear
2 hrs
50
This course is geared toward smaller frame auto's and small revolvers and their support Interactive lecture and demos. Students will be able to shoot Instructors' guns and get hands on with great support gear and products.
*Skillbuilder 50 - Jumpstart
4 hrs
150
Think you understand the fundamentals of shooting? Or do you? Bryan Eastridge breaks down the fundamentals in an eye-opening way, plus covers tips and best practices for safe and effective holster work.
Erick Gelhaus
Cougar Mountain Solutions - cougarmountainsolutions.com
Course Title
Broken & Blocked Optics
2 hrs
2 hrs
Est. Round Count
125
Brief Description
This live fire session addresses what to do if your pistol-mounted optics no longer work because they broke or Mother Nature stepped in. The class shows you how to deal with electrical and mechanical failures along with environmental issues so you have a mental roadmap to get through them.
"Never Let / Be Sure" - Practical Application of Rules #2 & #4
2 hrs
200
This live fire block starts with a few traditional shooting drills before layering in issues with muzzle orientation and downrange hazards. This course is the practical application supplement to the "Ready Positions & Better Outcomes" seminar.
Ready Positions & Better Outcomes
2 hrs
N/A
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. This seminar is the perfect preparatory introduction to the "'Never Let / Be Sure' - Practical Application of Rules 2 & 4" live fire block.
1911/2011 Defensive Manipulations
4 hrs
200
After 25 years of Glocks, M&Ps, and Sigs, shooters are flocking back to modernized versions of Browning's best known pistol design. This block focuses on how to best use its mechanical features for those defensive shooters who are new to the platform. Erick worked patrol, gangs, and narcotics with 1911 pistols for over twenty years while teaching with the platform. He developed this class at the request of local shooters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
*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.
Brian McLaughlin
Mountain Man Medical - mountainmanmedical.com
Course Title
Hostile Medicine
Length
2 hrs
Est. Round Count
N/A
Brief Description
This class is intended for anyone interested in the basics of trauma management in a high threat environment. Combat is a multi-faceted endeavor which involves many disciplines including trauma medicine, a skill that extends outside a deadly force encounter to many other forms of emergencies. Medical care while threats lurk in dark alleys is different from working in well-lit and immaculate hospitals. Procedures and priorities completely shift so the most favorable outcome is achieved.
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.
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.
Course Title
Square Dancing in a Minefield: The Anatomy of a Self-Defense Prosecution
Length
2 hrs
Est. Round Count
N/A
Brief Description
Criminal defense attorney Don West has described the legal aftermath of a self-defense case as "square dancing in a mine field" because one misstep can blow up your case. He will be joined by former prosecutor Jennifer Chance and litigation consultant Shawn Vincent for an in-depth discussion about the legal realities of litigating a self-defense claim -- from the first interaction with law enforcement to a jury trial. Unlike most criminal defendants, the accused in a self-defense case admits to the act but argues that it was legally justified, which means the defense must claim that they reasonably believed they faced the imminent threat of great bodily harm or death at the hands of another. If the prosecutor can disprove just one of those elements of the case, then the entire defense can fail. Knowing the realities of of a self-defense prosecution can help armed defenders make better choices before, during, and after a use of force incident.
AJ Zito
Practical Performance - practicalperformance.org
Course Title
Intro to RDS 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.
Handgun Performance
4 hrs
300
This course is intended for students who have a solid understanding of pistol mechanics. Students will learn about how to make their guns perform predictably under recoil, during transitions, and overall performance. This is not a beginner-level course.