Handgun/Shotgun Instructor Development

Eligibility

Specific eligibility requirements must be met prior to attending any Great Basin Tactical Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor school. Registration in any of these programs must be made on the proper forms with appropriate documentation attached. Registration confirmation to attend must be received from Great Basin Tactical prior to arriving at any school. All applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who must also be able to lawfully possess firearms and ammunition. Additionally, applicants must meet one of the following six criteria:

A "Sworn" law enforcement officer - This is defined as someone vested with the constitutional or statutory authority to detain and/or arrest, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the furtherance of their duties, is typically employed by a federal, state, county or municipal organization and has a minimum of 3-years experience* as such. These may include but are not limited to police officers, sheriffs, special agents, marshals, troopers, park rangers, land & natural resource officers, marine officers, animal wardens, tribal police, correctional officers and/or railroad police. Reserve, auxiliary and/or part-time law enforcement officers who are "sworn" as defined above, are also eligible.
A retired or previously employed "Sworn" law enforcement officer - This is defined as someone meeting the definition of "Sworn" officer above, who has retired with tenure, through disability or who has otherwise separated from their agency prior to retirement and had a minimum of 3-years experience* as such.
A licensed "Armed" private security officer - This is defined as someone who is licensed by a federal, state or municipal regulatory agency to provide "Armed" personal protection or other physical security services and has a minimum of 3-years experience* as such.
A member of the United States Armed Forces - This is defined as someone presently obligated to the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, any of their Reserve components, or National Guard. Members of the military must provide a letter from their unit or command specifically requesting their admittance into the school in support of their units' mission. Regrettably, former members of the military, (those who have retired, been discharged or have resigned their commissions), are not eligible to attend and once separated, must then establish eligibility through one of the other criterions.
A full-time civilian firearm instructor who is employed by a public law enforcement agency - This is defined as someone employed full-time in a civilian capacity by a public law enforcement agency or organization to provide law enforcement specific firearm training to its "Sworn" law enforcement personnel. A letter from the Chief, Sheriff, or other appropriate command person attesting to their full-time employment status and experience will be required of anyone attempting to establish eligibility under this section.
A full-time civilian contractor - This is defined as someone employed by a U.S. company or corporation actively engaged in a verifiable GSA contract to provide firearm training or other armed personal / physical security protection types of service to the U.S. government or military. A letter from a program manager or other appropriate individual attesting to the company's contractual obligation and the individual's current employment status and experience is required of anyone attempting to establish eligibility under this section.

Documentation establishing one's eligibility will be required when submitting all applications. Great Basin Tactical retains the right to accept or decline any application.

* "Experience" can be any combination of documented sworn law enforcement and/or armed private security work. Experience need not all be with a current employer, and does not necessarily need to be continuous or even obtained through an unbroken chain of employment. If your employment experience isn't continuous and/or all with a single employer though, you will be required to provide appropriate documentation from the additional sources.

Equipment Requirements

The following equipment is REQUIRED and must be provided by the student for ALL firearm instructor development schools:

Duty Handgun - A duty-type, law enforcement handgun.
Magazines or Speedloader - If using a semi-automatic pistol, bring a minimum of 4 magazines, (5 if the magazine capacity is less than 10). If using a revolver, bring a minimum of 5 speed loaders.
Holster, Belt, and Ammunition Carrier Pouches - The holster must be department or agency issue, duty-type (patrol), strong-side directional draw, equipped with a handgun retention device and securely fastened to the gun belt. Speedloader and/or magazine pouches must also be equipped with a retention device.
Eye Protection, Ear Protection, and Baseball Style Cap - Safety glasses must be of the wrap around type or employ side panels. If wearing prescription glasses, they must be covered with safety glasses unless they meet the above requirements. Ear plugs or ear muffs (preferred), and a baseball cap with bill to deflect ejected brass must also be worn. NOTE: Students will NOT be allowed on the range without wraparound or side-panel safety glasses.
Appropriate Clothing - Students should bring appropriate clothing to participate in the range exercises consistent with prevailing weather conditions. Range exercises will be conducted in inclement weather unless a safety hazard exists. NOTE: Shorts are NOT appropriate law enforcement range clothing.
Duty Flashlight - Law enforcement, hand-held, duty-type flashlight capable of one-handed operation.
Note-Taking Material - Pen, pencil, and paper to take notes with in the classroom and on the range. A jumbo permanent marker for use on the range.
Cleaning Equipment - Appropriate cleaning equipment for the firearm being utilized at the school. NOTE: There is no time allotted during the school for the cleaning of firearms. Students will be expected to perform cleaning of their respective firearms on their own time.
Knee and Elbow Pads - Knee and elbow pads are optional for kneeling and prone position shooting.

The following are school-specific requirements in addition to the above.

Handgun Instructor

This school is our premier handgun instructor school. Students are taught classroom instructional methods, how to effectively teach firearm operator skills, and how to develop dynamic and practical range training relevant to their agency's needs. Drills on the range enforce skills in the areas of coaching, accurate shot placement, multiple threats, decision-making, shooting while moving, identifying threats and firing in reduced light, tactical use of cover, concealed-carry training, one-handed malfunction clearing, firing from unconventional positions, and use of verbal commands. Each student makes a classroom presentation and must demonstrate his or her understanding of the course content through a written exam and pass a shooting skills proficiency course. In addition to the above mentioned required equipment, the following are ALSO necessary for this school:

Back-up or off-duty firearm and equipment. May be a duty pistol or revolver. Holster may be IWB, ankle, paddle, fanny-pack, or other suitable concealed carry holster. At least one magazine pouch and 3 magazines or speedloaders are required.
Cover garment for concealed carry range exercises.
800 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.
400 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition (for off-duty pistol).

Handgun/Shotgun Instructor

This school compresses the handgun instructor school to 3 days and adds 2 days of shotgun instructor training. Student classroom presentations, concealed-carry training, and unconventional shooting positions are replaced with shotgun marksmanship and handling classroom presentations and range work. Shotgun drills include firing from cover, use of kneeling and prone positions, moving targets, malfunction clearing, firing on the move, and transitioning to the handgun. In addition to the above mentioned required equipment, the following are ALSO necessary for this school:

Duty-type, law enforcement 12 gauge pump or semi-auto police shotgun equipped with a sling.
900 rounds of duty or training handgun ammunition.
50 rounds of duty or training 12 gauge slugs.
20 rounds of duty or training 12 gauge 00 buckshot.
100 rounds of birdshot (#6, #8 or #9).

Handgun/Shotgun Instructor Registration