Gunsite Academy

Clint Achziger is currently a Police Officer for an agency in Orange County(CA) and holds the position of the Firearm’s and Tactics Training Coordinator. Clint has 24 years of experience as a full-time sworn Peace Officer, with eight of those years with the Los Angeles Police Department and four with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.  Clint has over 16 years of Firearms Instructor experience as he was a Firearms Instructor for all three agencies.   …Read More »

Ted Ajax came to Gunsite to study under Jeff Cooper in 1980 and completed Col. Cooper’s Provost Instructor Course and apprenticeship in 1993.  He founded and served as the Medical Director of the TEMS (Tactical Emergency Medical Support) Unit of the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Team (SWAT), as well as serving as an operational team member for many years.  He is a lifelong competitive shooter and hunter, having hunted extensively on the North American and African continents.  …Read More »

Matthew Avenatti is a law enforcement officer in northern New Jersey. He served 26 years with the New Jersey State Police and retired as a Lieutenant/ Station Commander. Matt served in several units spending the majority of his career in patrol. He spent many years on a criminal interdiction team focusing on commercial vehicles and was also a part of the firearms instructor cadre dealing in handgun, carbine, and shotgun training & techniques. Currently serving as an Undersheriff with his …Read More »

Joe is a U.S. Air Force Veteran and served 36 years in law enforcement.  He served 27 years with the Los Angeles Police Department.  He spent all of his career there in high crime districts; working patrol, gangs, narcotics, robbery and warrants.  After retiring from L.A.P.D., Joe went onto serve another 9 years with the Orange County, Ca District Attorney’s Office as an Investigator, again working gangs.  Joe was also assigned to the range staff where he trained personnel in the use of pistols …Read More »

Lieutenant Dave Bahde (retired) has been a professional firearms instructor and consultant for over three decades. He has assisted tactical teams and police departments in firearms selection, implementation, and deployment, along with developing training programs for police  agencies.  Dave is a recognized subject matter expert on firearms, tactics, and use of force in both State and Federal Court and holds both a Bachelor’s and Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Dave has spent …Read More »

Ryan Baker is a retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant. He served 20 years in the infantry, with multiple deployments to include several tours to OIF and OEF, where he served as an infantry team leader, infantry rifle squad leader, platoon sergeant, and company gunnery sergeant. Ryan also spent several tours in billets as a combat instructor, tactics instructor, combat marksmanship coach, and curriculum developer at multiple Marine Corps schools and training units to include the School of …Read More »

Jerrod Baugh is currently serving as Sheriff of Putnam County, Indiana. He previously served as a field supervisor in investigations and training for the Indiana Excise Police for 28 years. Jerrod holds Law Enforcement Academy Instructor certifications in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Active Shooter Response, and served on a multi-jurisdictional Emergency Response Team. A certified armorer in both the Glock pistol and the Colt AR-15, Jerrod is an instructor for Gunsite in …Read More »

Daniel J. Bilodeau served in the US Air Force and then accepted a position as a Federal Agent with the US Dept of Energy.  During his career with the US DOE he served in several capacities and after 30 years of government service he retired as the Command Training Manager, Agent Operations Central Command for the US DOE, Office of Secure Transportation.  Daniel is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He currently maintains an adjunct position and security clearance with OST and resides …Read More »

Freddie Blish is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps, where he served 24 years. He has served multiple combat tours and deployed globally in operational, instructional and advisory capacities. His tours include Iraq, Africa, Korea, Thailand, and Latin America. After his retirement from the Marine Corps, he served as the Director of Military Business Development for Aimpoint, Inc, where he developed an intensive training program on their use by the US Army Regional …Read More »

Scott Burgess is a retired Army Mustang who spent 27 years in both Infantry and Aviation branches. His work with both US and foreign armies in tactical training supported NATO and PACOM operations. He has conventional and anti-terrorism experience working with SOCOM and SAS Forces. A Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Scott developed a security and defensive skills course that incorporated the 250 Pistol Class as a Lab. Burgess is also a License to Carry Instructor, for the State …Read More »

Schylar served 10 years as an Infantryman in the US Army including 4 years as an Infantry Squad Leader during Operation Enduring Freedom. Schylar is a fully licensed outfitter in AZ, CO and NM with expertise in predator defense in the Western U.S.  Guiding hunters who truly appreciate the outdoors and conservation is the most rewarding aspect of his professional career. As a Master Gunsmith, Schylar specifically likes to build long range hunting rifles.  His family has been in the custom …Read More »

Adam Collins has been a police officer in central Texas since 2012. He’s been stationed in the city’s busy downtown entertainment and business district since 2016, both in patrol capacity and plain-clothes operations. Adam works on various violent crime suppression initiatives, primarily targeting gun violence. Before his career in law enforcement, Adam served in the Army which included several combat tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Adam’s interest in instructing began early when he was …Read More »

Chris Currie is a retired Gunnery Sergeant with 21 years in the United States Marine Corps, 17 years within the Reconnaissance community, 13 of those years with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Chris Deployed to Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Desert Stay, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After retiring from the Marines he trained Marine Corps Advisers before they deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. As an Independent Contractor Chris Deployed …Read More »

Serving in public safety for nearly 20 years, Brian is currently a police officer in northern Illinois. His assignments include patrol, firearms instructor& armorer, and is currently assigned to a large multijurisdictional SWAT team. Prior to working in law enforcement, Brian served as a paramedic with a 911 ambulance service - retiring as Chief. Brian is an armorer for Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, and AR platforms. Brian holds Master Firearms Instructor (MFI) and Master Rifle …Read More »

Robert Doak first attended Gunsite in 2000 in a Precision Rifle Class and took numerous Gunsite classes in the following year. In 2022, heretired as a Lieutenant after 26 years with the Metro Nashville Police Department and 22 years with Metro SWAT.  His primary SWAT duty was as a sniper and he served as Assistant Team Leader and Team Leader.  He taught pistol, carbine and long gun for the team and over his career he served in Patrol, Intelligence (CIS with Ron Fielder), Gang Unit, SRT and the …Read More »

David Dolan is retired from law enforcement after 40 years of service.  Seven of those years were with the Glendale Police Department, and thirty-three with the City of Los Angeles.  He worked as a firearms instructor for his entire career.  One of his assignments was as a firearms instructor at the Los Angeles Police Academy, teaching recruits and in-service officers.  He trained officers in the areas of Vehicle and Foot Surveillance, Plainclothes Operations, Handgun, Rifle, Shotgun …Read More »

Ashley Dooley is an Agent in Middle Tennessee. She has 13 years of experience as a Probation Officer and Patrol Officer, including her current role. A six-year firearms instructor at her agency, Ashley specializes in handgun and carbine techniques and training. One of three female firearm instructors in the state of Tennessee, Ashley is also a firearms instructor and Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) instructor for Personal Responsibility, LLC. Ashley is passionate about empowering men and …Read More »

Jeff is a retired Sergeant for a middle Tennessee law enforcement agency with over 26 years of experience. During his career, Jeff served in numerous units, including the Crime Suppression and Narcotics units, SWAT and K-9 units, CID, Patrol, and Firearms Training Unit. He also has a BS in Emergency Management. An instructor with Gunsite Academy since 2018 and now a Rangemaster. He teaches pistol, rifle, shotgun, Close Quarters Pistol and Team Tactics classes. Jeff is a life member of the …Read More »

Matt Eagleston was a deputy sheriff and village police officer in New York from 1999 through 2001. He then spent 20 years with the Connecticut State Police, retiring in 2021. His assignments with the Connecticut State Police included patrol, resident state trooper, commercial vehicle safety, and search and rescue. Spending the last 9 years of his career as a full-time firearms instructor and armorer at the State Police Training Academy, Firearms Training Unit, he taught pistol (including 1911s), …Read More »

Pete is a Captain with a suburban Philadelphia police department with over 25 years experience in law enforcement.  He is currently second in command of the police department with responsibility for all operational aspects of the department.  Prior assignments include supervision of the department’s use of force and firearms training unit, department armorer and a sniper for a multijurisdictional SWAT team.  He is a law enforcement certified firearms instructor for Pistol, Shotgun and Carbine as …Read More »

Paul Garcia served 32 years in California law enforcement, retiring at the rank of Sergeant.  He worked numerous specialty assignments including Departmental Range Master, SWAT Team Leader, Auto Theft Task Force, Police Academy Firearms Instructor, and Field Training Officer.   Concurrent to his law enforcement career, Paul served 21 years in the Marine Corps and Army Reserves, retiring at the rank of Sergeant First Class.  His military assignments were primarily in Infantry and Military Police …Read More »

Lew served in the Marine Corps from 1976 to 1983 in Artillery and Military Police.  He served in East Los Angeles as a police officer and Sergeant, retiring after 31 years, working patrol, detectives, warrant team supervisor and many other positions.  He has an extensive competition background, having won the SOF 3-Gun, End of Trail SASS and Steel Challenge Shotgun Speed Championship.  He has been a Gunsite instructor and Rangemaster since 2008. …Read More »

Monte served 27 ½ years in Law Enforcement & Corrections, 22 years in SWAT, retiring honorably.  His assignments included but not limited to; Assault team leader, Master instructor for SWAT, overseeing and supervising the execution of numerous advanced tactical programs within his agency.  He holds numerous professional certifications. Continues to work as an independent contractor with friendly nations and has since 1994. Monte served in the US military (active & reserve) from …Read More »

Aimee Grant is a former Marine Corps military police Officer and Marksman. She dedicated 15 years serving as a Law Enforcement Officer in Southern California. She worked various assignments during her Law Enforcement career, however teaching has always been her greatest passion. Aimee has taught defensive tactics, tactical communications, Simmunitions and firearms. Aimee is an avid member of the firearms community, and a field editor and contributor to American Handgunner magazine. …Read More »

John Hall is a Range Master for Gunsite and instructs Pistol, Carbine, Shotgun, and numerous specialty courses.  He has eight years of service as an infantryman with the U.S. Army and National Guard.   He has over twenty-four years of law enforcement experience with assignments that have included Patrol Officer, Canine Handler, Detective, Range Master, Patrol Supervisor, Detective Sergeant, and more.  His law enforcement career includes more than twenty years of experience with SWAT and Hostage …Read More »

Bill Halvorsen retired in 2002 after 27 years in law enforcement with LAPD and Glendale CA. Police Departments.   During his career he worked Patrol, Special Enforcement Detail, Detectives and Motorcycle Officer. Bill was a Team Leader, Rangemaster and Armorer on the SWAT Team. Bill has been an instructor at Gunsite since 1985. As a hunter he has hunted North America, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand.  Bill is a life member of NRA, SCI, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, Fraternity of the Desert …Read More »

Dave Harris has been an active duty California law enforcement officer since 1980. He has worked numerous specialty assignments including Firearms and Tactics Instructor, Academy Instructor, Gang Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Special Enforcement Team, Field Training Officer as well as being a Team Leader for a federal agency task force. He is a Court Qualified Expert in Firearms, Gangs and Narcotics. Dave originally joined the Gunsite staff in 1988 and is a qualified Rangemaster for …Read More »

The Director of Training for Gunsite Academy, Dave Hartman is a former U.S. Marine and a 27-year veteran of the Orange County California Sheriff’s Department.  He retired as a Patrol Sergeant in 2012.  During his career he worked all facets of Law Enforcement.  Highlights of his career included being an initial member of the C.I.R.T., Field Training Officer, and lead instructor at the departments Tactical Training Center. There, he conducted and supervised firearms, driving, and use of force …Read More »

Steve Hendricks’ experience in the use of force includes over 30 years as a Martial Arts Instructor, Firearms Rangemaster and Certified Defensive Tactics Instructor. He has 16 years experience as a Certified Peace Officer in California and Colorado serving as a Patrol Officer, and in Investigation, High Risk Warrant Service, Training VIP Protection Details and Supervisor. He spent two years with the US Department of Energy’s Non-Proliferation National Security Institutes Center Training Academy, …Read More »

John Hutchison retired from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office as a Sergeant.  He served as a Patrol Supervisor and S.W.A.T. Team Leader. John was an AZPOST Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor. He has been in Martial Arts for over 39 years with Black Belts in several disciplines. John teaches Defensive Pistol, Shotgun, Carbine and Edged Weapons. …Read More »

Eric is a retired Lieutenant with the Stockton Ca Police Department. During his career as an officer he worked the Street Crimes Unit, Traffic Unit, and the Problem Oriented Policing Team. His duties included Department FBI Terrorism Liaison Coordinator,   FBI and ATF Task Force coordinator, Mobile Field Force Commander and  Narcotics, Vice, and Gang Unit Commander.     Eric was also a SWAT Officer, SWAT Sniper, SWAT Sergeant, and SWAT Commander. …Read More »

Joe Knapp retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Colonel with over 24 years of service, including tours at Weapons Training Battalion (MCRD Parris Island), and as a Combat Advisor to the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Border Police during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He has attended numerous military, law enforcement, and civilian weapons training courses and is a certified NRA Law Enforcement Handgun/Shotgun and Patrol Rifle Instructor. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps in 2011, his 22nd …Read More »

Ken Koch is a retired Chief of Police with 30 years of service in Northern Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Highlights of his law enforcement career include more than 20 years of experience in firearms training, command of S.W.A.T., Hostage Negotiations and Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams and developing leading public safety protocols for prevention and response to "Active Killing" incidents.  Ken's overseen the safety and security of many major events like NCAA sporting events, visiting …Read More »

Paul Kultala has been an adjunct instructor at Gunsite since 1996 and teaches pistol, rifle, carbine, shotgun and tactical medicine. Paul retired from the Chandler (AZ) Police Department January 2018. He had assignments on the bike team, firearms training unit, as a field training officer, a school resource officer and a patrol officer. He also served on the SWAT team as a sniper and tactical operator. Prior to hiring with Chandler PD, he served 20 years in the USAF as a Pararescueman conducting …Read More »

Michael Lang is currently a sworn officer with the state of Colorado and has received commendations for his work. He serves as a patrol Commander and field training officer. Michael is a lead instructor for handgun, rifle and shotgun along with certifications to teach less lethal weapons and TCCC. He is a Master Instructor with Colorado (POST) Police Officers Standards and Training board, in both firearms and arrest control. Michael is an Assistant Academy Director for the state academies and …Read More »

John retired from Tennessee law enforcement as a lieutenant after 29 years of service. He served as a patrol officer and supervisor, field training officer, tactical team member and commander, department training officer, armorer and less lethal weapons instructor.  While serving as chief firearms instructor and rangemaster for over a decade he was responsible for development and conduct of all department firearms training and daily operations of the pistol /rifle range, shoot house and indoor …Read More »

Jason Lovett is a law enforcement officer in Middle Tennessee with 24 years of experience, serving in numerous units, including the Crime Suppression, Drug Task Force, SWAT and K-9, and Patrol. He is currently a Sergeant of training, General Department instructor, Commander of the Special Response Team, department armor, Chief firearms instructor, and a Tennessee State POST-certified instructor in firearms, K-9, and S.W.A.T. tactics. He has been training his fellow officers in weapons and …Read More »

Steve J Lyseczko has more than 23 years of experience in the USAF Security Police. Much of Lyseczko’s experience has been in Combat Small Arms, training and management positions, from NCOIC of Training, Operations Superintendent, to Security Forces Manager. CMSGT Lyseczko has served in the Air Force and Air National Guard for a total of 36 years.  CMSGT Lyseczko participated in Desert Shield, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He retired from the US Air Force in 2013, with …Read More »

Mario Marchman retired as a sergeant with the Glendale, CA., Police Department with over thirty years of service. His duties included Patrol, Narcotics Investigator, and Supervisor of various details such as Vice Narcotics, Special Enforcement, Gangs, and SWAT. After retirement he became the Primary Firearms Instructor for the Police Department for nine years responsible for all In-service Training for Firearms as well as certain Less-lethal Applications. He was appointed as an Instructor at …Read More »

Charlie McNeese retired from the AZ. Department of Public Safety after serving 33 years. He was the Department’s Master Firearms Instructor and Senior Armorer. He received a Master Firearms Instructor certification from the University of Illinois. He was in the Marine Corps for four years prior to his law enforcement career. Charlie is a Gunsite Rangemaster in Pistol, Carbine and Shotgun. …Read More »

Vince Morgan retired from the Columbia (TN) Police Department after 28 1/2 years of service.  Vince served in Patrol, Crime Suppression Unit, Narcotics, S.W.A.T., Firearms Unit and retired as Patrol Sergeant.  Vince was assigned to the S.W.A.T. Team for 23 years and served as Perimeter Team Leader, Entry Team, Sniper, Sniper Team Leader, and Commander and was the armorer for his agency.  Vince holds numerous certifications in all weapons platforms and has taught for numerous state, local, …Read More »

Il Ling New grew up hunting and fishing, and started guiding for her father’s outfitting service as a teenager. She received her first guide’s license at age 17. Later, she became the first female captain of her university’s shooting team. Il Ling is a professional guide in the US, as well a National Sporting Clays Association Instructor. Outside the US, Il Ling has hunted in the UK, Asia, Australia, and Africa. At Gunsite, she teaches Defensive Handgun, Rifle and Shotgun courses, as …Read More »

Tim manages product development for Nosler Inc. and has worked in the hunting and shooting industry for over 25 years, training with law enforcement and military around the world. Tim started in 2000 partnering with training organizations to increase the precision rifleman’s understanding of the function of the rifle optic and its benefits and limitations to the application of long-range shooting. Through these partnerships and an increased law enforcement direct training agenda Tim has …Read More »

Jim began his firearms career in the U.S. Army where he served as an infantry squad leader while assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood. Tx. Spending approximately 18 years as a police officer in central Illinois, Jim holds several instructor level certifications, teaching law enforcement and civilians since 2008, including SWAT, Instructor Level Human Threat Pattern Recognition and Active Shooter.  In addition, he has taught specialty courses such as Stop the Bleed, Tactical Combat …Read More »

Jerry Parsley is the retired sheriff of Clark County IL, with 36 years of experience.  He began his career as a patrol deputy, and sergeant before being elected sheriff. The deputy in charge of the Clark Co. multi-jurisdictional emergency response team, Jerry has trained  foreign nationals for the US state dept and trained basic recruits and instructor classes for the police training institute at the University of Illinois.  He is an armorer for Glock, 1911 and AR platforms and holds a master …Read More »

A Gunsite instructor since 2020, James is a retired police officer of 23 years for various agencies in the Denver metro area. During his career in law enforcement, he held various assignments including serving on SWAT, the Emergency Response Team (Riot Control), as well as teaching firearms for the police academy.  Since retiring from law enforcement James continues to work in the firearms industry, as well as writing for various firearms related publications. …Read More »

A lifelong New Mexico resident, Verlin changed his calling in life after his first class at Gunsite in 2008. Since that time he was selected to the NM District Courts as a Trial Bailiff, assisting in hundreds of trials and is still active in that roll. In 2010 at 56 years of age, joined the San Juan County Sheriff`s Office as a Patrol Deputy. While there, he was selected as a Firearms, Defensive Tactics, and Use of Force Simulator Instructor. Retired in 2020. A life long practitioner of …Read More »

Gary’s love for shooting brought him to Gunsite and a love for teaching kept him here. His introduction to shooting came from his dad at the age of 3 and by the age of 7 he was hunting. A renowned hunter and outdoor guide, Gary is in the record books of the Arizona Game & Fish Department for harvesting the 2nd largest bear in the state. He has hunted and guided for Elk, Deer, Bear, Mountain Lion, Antelope, Turkey, Javelina and Upland Game Birds. Gary inspires students in handgun, carbine, …Read More »

Formerly sworn in the states of Nevada and California, Steve Tarani is a former full-time Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) protective programs employee and was formerly on staff at the US Department of Energy (DOE) National Security Institute (Security Force Training Department) at Kirtland Air Force Base (NM). He served on the POTUS 45 pre-election executive protection detail and is a DoD and FLETC-certified firearms instructor and former adjunct instructor at the SIG Arms Academy (NH) for …Read More »

Steve Temerlin MD has been practicing Emergency Medicine for over 40 years. He worked in the civilian community for 10 years before joining the US Navy. During his 22 year Naval career he earned Flight Surgeon Wings as well as Diving Medical Officer and US Navy Diver certifications. He served as the Senior Medical Officer for the Marine response force for chemical, biological, and radiological terrorism.  He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan six times with Marines and Special Forces, earning …Read More »

Ken Tuttle was a federal law enforcement officer with 33 years service with Department of Homeland Security agencies.  He was a founding member of US Border Patrol and US Customs tactical teams with over 10 years combined service to the teams. He was a firearms and tactics instructor for 30 years, including seven years at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. He retired in 2006 from his position as a Director with the DHS Office of Air and Marine. Ken has been a Gunsite instructor since …Read More »

Jay Tuttle is a former Marine who served 18 years in Central Indiana law enforcement in various special assignments. Those assignments included Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor and Armorer. He was also an adjunct instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy teaching recruit and instructor classes in pistol, shotgun and patrol rifle.  He is a lifelong martial artist and holds Black Belts in Japanese and Korean arts. He joined the Gunsite staff in 2000 and is now a …Read More »

Randy retired as the  Chief of Police from the Ogden Police Department in Ogden, Utah.  With 32-years of service, Randy served in all operational components of the department, as well as serving 12 years in SWAT and 15 years as the primary firearms and defensive tactics trainer in the Training Bureau.  Randy is a lead trainer and advisor to the National Tactical Officer’s Association and is a presenter at several State SWAT Associations on a regular basis.  He is a published author and is a …Read More »

Walter Wilkinson served 30 years with the US Army, 26 of those with Special Operation Forces, retiring as a Sergeant Major. As a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant he trained foreign troops all across the Middle East and Africa in both US and Host Nation Weapon Systems and Tactics. After retiring he worked for 5 years in the Middle East with Blackwater as a Personal Protection Specialist with additional duties as a Heavy Weapons Instructor.  Since 2010 as a competitive rifle shooter he has won 7 …Read More »

Tessa Wyrick has been studying and shooting long range precision rifle and extreme long range rifle for 9 years.  She competes in the 1000yds 50BMG, where at the 2018 World Championships, she finished 1st in the Team Event and 3rd in Heavy Class Score shooting from the ground against bench class guns.  In extreme long range, Tessa took 1st in the 1.6 Mile Challenge in 2021 and in 2022, won Top Lady, and placed 20th overall of 245 competitors at the Nightforce ELR Challenge.  She also competes in …Read More »