How to Select a Firearms Instructor
One of the unique aspects of Boondocks Firearms Training Academy is the quality of our instructor cadre. Ten years ago when Boondocks officially opened, the original mindset was to recruit the best of the best instructors from the surrounding areas and then provide the opportunities for them to expand their knowledge. These select group of individual instructors took that vision to the next level. Not only have our core group of lead instructors taken almost every advanced firearms training class hosted at Boondocks, they have also traveled at their own expense in an effort to train with the best instructors in the country. In addition to NRA and USCCA certifications, our instructors also have certifications from Rangemaster, Massad Ayoob Group, Handgun Combatives, The Complete Combatant, Two Pillars Training, Ed Monk’s Active Shooter, John Farnam and many many more.
I invite you to read the After Action Review (AAR) from one our new Rangemaster Master Certified Firearms instructor Kevin Jones.
There has been a surge in instructors holding certifications from large, influential organizations that require only 2–3 days of instruction, a minimal demonstration of firearms handling proficiency and marksmanship, and basic firearms knowledge. While these individuals can legitimately claim the title “Instructor” upon completion, they are not necessarily highly trained. Some possess limited experience in safely managing a firing line, diagnosing shooting issues, prescribing corrective techniques, or developing classroom curricula and range drills that are truly informative and beneficial to students.
One could reasonably argue that the current gold standard for instructor development in the armed citizen community is Tom Givens’ Rangemaster Instructor Development Courses. These courses require students to demonstrate mastery of the material through written exams and challenging shooting qualifications that test both accuracy and time standards. To pass, students must score a minimum of 90% on exams and selected qualification courses of fire. Importantly, certification is not guaranteed—many students leave without one.
Tom Givens has worked as a firearms instructor for over 50 years. He has trained at the highest levels, competed extensively, and continues to learn by attending courses from other trainers. He has authored books and numerous articles on firearms and training, and he is deeply committed to passing on vital institutional knowledge about firearms development, training methodologies, and gunfighting. He is, quite literally, a human repository of this information, and he generously shares decades of research with his students.
In May 2025, the author attended the Rangemaster Master Instructor Course in Culpepper, VA. To qualify for this course, students must first complete the Basic Instructor Development Course (3 days) and the Advanced Instructor Course (2 days). The classroom portion of the Master Instructor Course explores the history and evolution of modern firearms training over the past century. Even without the range component, the lectures alone were worth the cost of the course. Understanding the historical context and key figures in the firearms training community helps instructors better evaluate current practices and doctrines, revealing the cyclical nature of training trends. For example, practices like AIWB (appendix inside-the-waistband) carry, though currently popular, are not new—they are rediscoveries of older methods.
Over the three-day course, time was split evenly between academic lectures and range work. Two aspects of the range training stood out. First, on day two, a significant portion focused on proper manipulation and use of revolvers. Given the current revolver renaissance in parts of the shooting community, this training was especially valuable. As Tom noted, many instructors lack experience with revolvers and are unfamiliar with teaching their unique manual of arms.
Second, Tom teaches what he calls “mirrored image” pistol use. Students train using their non-dominant side, including wearing a holster, drawing, building a two-handed grip, and developing speed and efficiency with their non-dominant hand. This training is crucial for two reasons: first, a shooter may need to rely on their non-dominant side due to injury; second, instructors must be able to teach students with different dominant sides and understand the challenges involved.
Parts of the qualification course of fire were particularly demanding. If you’re familiar with the FBI Qualification Course, Rangemaster’s version will feel similar but more difficult. Unlike the FBI course, where any hit on the Q target earns full value, Rangemaster scoring awards full points only for hits in much smaller zones—an 8-inch high-center chest zone and a 3-inch head zone. Shooting distances range from 2 to 25 yards, and time limits are tight but achievable with proper preparation. Rangemaster emphasizes accountability, and shooters must score at least 90% of the available points to pass.
This article cannot fully capture the depth of Tom Givens’ approach to instructor development, but two key points deserve mention. First, Tom strongly emphasizes the importance of always carrying your firearm. Second, he unapologetically empowers his students to defend themselves with whatever force is necessary—within the bounds of the law—without hesitation or remorse.
When evaluating prospective firearms instructors, seeing Rangemaster Instructor Development certifications on a résumé signals a high standard of knowledge and skill that surpasses many other programs. The instructor cadre at BFTA includes several individuals who have earned these prestigious certifications, and this should encourage you to come train with us.
