Where do we start? There’s just so much to share! But we’ll answer this by simply saying that our training programs are designed to inspire and challenge you with amazing hands on learning experiences. Whatever your current level of training and experience, you can always improve. And that’s why we exist, to help you do just that.

First Strike’s instructors are highly experienced, well educated, passionate, supportive, and energetic professionals.

Many of our staff, cadre, and instructors come from military, law enforcement, and private security backgrounds (such as with PMCs). But that isn’t required. In fact, in some cases it can actually be a hindrance because of something called training scars. What really matters is three core things:

1. The instructor must be a subject matter expert in the area they teach;
2. The instructor must be able to properly demonstrate every single skill they are teaching, on demand; and
3. The instructor must be able to teach.

Being able to do something, doesn’t mean you’re skilled at communicating those skills to a diverse group. We take education seriously, so our Instructors must complete rigorous teacher-training in addition to earning qualifications related to the course they’re assigned, so you get the most out of the course.

First Strike members always enjoy discounted costs, as do staff and honor graduates. We also offer discounts for enrollment each Winter, which allows you to benefit from signing up early for Spring courses. The details of which are published at the end of the Fall each year. You can also contact us for more information about these discounts. Depending on the program, we may also offer a 5% reduction for individual immediate family members who enroll into the same program together. As a non profit, we also want to ensure that opportunities are provided to those who have a legitimate need. To learn more or about available grants or scholarships, get in touch with us. Terms and requirements apply.

In most cases, the cost of the program only covers instruction. If other items are covered in a course fee, such as a workbook, it will normally list those things in the course description. If you’re not sure, ask an instructor. In all cases, you are responsible for your transportation, food, accommodation, and incidentals.

First Strike accepts most forms of payment, including Visa, Master Card, PayPal, and Cash. We require a non-refundable deposit to book your spot on any course, in advance. The final payment is due approximately 1-week before your program starts, depending on the program you’ve signed up for. In some cases, you can spread out payments too. Please contact us for more information.

First Strike courses are provided by Authorized Instructors at approved Training Centers. We also offer courses directly to the public on location, through hybrid delivery, and online. If you’re looking for a class locally, contact us. If you’re interested in becoming an Instructor or Training Center, contact our professional programs section.

We deliberately keep the majority of our programs smaller to allow for more personal instruction. In most cases, the maximum number will be fifteen (15) students per program at a given time. This ensures that you receive the attention you need to succeed during the program. However, this is up to the instructor in charge of the course itself. We strive for a balance between the genders in all programs, but in our experience the ratio between male and female students has little impact on the success of the program. That said, we seek to encourage women to enter the industry, on both the physical and cyber security sides, as they remain under represented by females.

Many friends, family members, and work colleagues (especially from agencies) take courses together, but our programs are designed to allow students to meet new friends so they can develop life-long relationships with others outside of their normal social circles.

We have long delivered successful distance learning or online-based courses in an industry that has been slow to adopt these kinds of policies and the technology to support them. Today, in the post-COVID world, it is now the new-normal to attend classes, meetings, and to even work remotely. We use a variety of technology to support our online students from a customized LMS (learning management system) to emergent systems such as that offered by Zoom and Citrix. All you have to have is a dependable internet connection and a desktop, tablet, or mobile device with audio and video capabilities.

First Strike members always enjoy discounted costs, as do staff and honor graduates. We also offer discounts for enrollment each Winter, which allows you to benefit from signing up early for Spring courses. The details of which are published at the end of the Fall each year. You can also contact us for more information about these discounts. Depending on the program, we may also offer a 5% reduction for individual immediate family members who enroll into the same program together. As a non profit, we also want to ensure that opportunities are provided to those who have a legitimate need. To learn more or about available grants or scholarships, get in touch with us. Terms and requirements apply.

Simply put, there’s absolutely nothing like being a First Strike instructor. It’s rad. That’s because you play and incredibly important role in helping people learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones. If you’re interested, please request information. Plus, you can make an income commensurate with your ambitions.

First Strike Instructors are leaders, and they run training programs and self-defense related activities for others interested in better learning how to handle risk, defend themselves, and more. Your role may include assisting other qualified instructors during training at Training Centers, at events, or on your own as a consultant or private instructor. Your actual job duties will vary, depending on where you work. Ultimately though, our Authorized Instructors conduct programs, manage, maintain and repair equipment, manage Training Centers, engage customers, and provide over-all critical operational and logistical support. If you’d like to talk to a Counselor, please request information.

The plain answer is, you have to learn the required skills, prove that you can demonstrate them on demand, and then prove you can share them effectively with others. The only way to get there is by spending time honing the basics, and then building upon those abilities progressively until you have a full toolbox and really are, by definition, a subject matter expert (SME). Spending time in the classroom, on the mat, or at the range simply isn’t enough, nor is regurgitating the contents of a manuals. To become a truly competent Instructor―mastery is critical.

Instructors are Instructors because they not only train, a lot, but because they’ve completed comprehensive programs that ensure they understand the topic they are going to teach. Normally, this is accomplished through a First Strike Instructor Development Course (IDC). Depending on your currently level of certification and skill, will can take you through every step required to become an Instructor.

Ultimately, the only way to become an Instructor is train. Just as you cannot become a marathon runner by sitting on the couch (in other words, you must actually run), there is no pathway to become an Instructor that doesn’t include putting in the effort.

If you’d like to talk to a  Counselor, please request information.

The Short Answer

This is one of the most common questions we’re asked, and that’s no surprise given the reality that becoming a professional in a field is generally quite an expensive undertaking. You can do the research on your own, but you’ll find that almost all courses around the world that teach similar material to First Strike are entirely profit driven. That’s not a bad thing, but with that model comes a number of inherent problems, at least for students.

We’re a Charity

We’re not like everyone else in the market: we’re a fully recognized IRS 501C3 non-profit organization, and our entire focus is on creating an environment that facilitates your success, not lining our pockets. While we’re not against capitalism, we are against taking advantage of students.

We Don’t Force Square Pegs Into Round Holes

The reality is, every single applicant comes to us with their own unique situation. To try to lump everyone in the same category, and charge entirely based on one’s certification level, is intellectually dishonest. Instead, we work with each individual to determine the most economical pathway for them to archive their goal of becoming a fully qualified Instructor. It’s all about knowledge, and imparting that knowledge. If you know it, and can demonstrate that you know it, that’s what matters to us.

We’re Not Ducking The Question

No, seriously. We don’t have a one-size-fits-all pricing structure.

To determine costs, we factor in a number of things such as your dependency status, your financial need, employment status, current certification level (or lack thereof), what your background and skill level is, where you’d like to train, if you have your own gear or would need us to provide it, and how long we believe it will take for you to complete all of the requirements to be certified.

If you’d like to talk to a Counselor, please request information.

Yes. Generally speaking, we have Assistant Instructors, Instructors, Advanced Instructors, Speciality Instructors, Staff Instructors, Master Instructors, Assistant Instructor Trainers, Instructor Trainers, and Course Directors.

First Strike offers limited spots for Instructor Candidates during each cycle. Therefore, we are very selective. You will be required to complete a comprehensive application process, that may take several weeks. Each application goes to a Committee and is evaluated based on the information you provide. Additionally, because Instructor Candidates work with firearms and around children, teens, and women, we will conduct a criminal background check.

We strongly encourage applicants to be thorough and to provide our team with as much relevant information as possible so we can make an informed decision. For that reason, we encourage you to apply early as this allows ample time should we require additional information from you.

We also require a non-disclosure agreement, which protects the confidentiality and privacy of both parties, and an Internship Agreement that spells our respective obligations. No application will be processed without the submission of all required documentation.

As a professional, you’ll want to have all your own equipment relevant to the topic you’re going to teach. For example, if you are going to teach AWARE programs, you will need your own mats (or access to a matted area), impact shields, etc. If you’re teaching a First Strike Basic Defensive Handgun Course, you’ll need your own firearm and related gear, and access to a range. If you're teaching tactical medicine courses, you'd need to have first aid equipment relevant to the level of the courses you teach, and so on. Your Counselor may suggest additional gear that will be useful throughout your career. We provide deep discounts to our Instructors, which helps make owning your own gear more affordable.

You have to be a Professional.

First and foremost, you have to be a professional. Period. Full stop. We accept applications from anyone interested in becoming a contributing member of society. No certification is initially required, but generally, we find that most successful candidates already have a passion for the topic they want to teach.

You also must be in shape or be committed to becoming physically fit. But the most important thing we look for is someone who is driven, willing to learn, humble themselves, and approach our training with enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment.

Generally, candidates are 21 years or older when they start an Instructor Development Course (IDC). However, in rare instances, we will accept a younger applicant who display an exceptional attitude, aptitude, and promise. What you share with us in your application, and what we discover about you on social media will play a significant role in helping us make such a decision.

A Word of Warning

If you’re not serious about safety, that’s going to be a problem. You had also be pretty humble. Like, damn humble, and recognize that you’re not more important than the people you’re teaching. We only work with people who put students first and understand the importance of being life-long students themselves. Otherwise, it’s best you look somewhere else. First Strike isn’t about checking boxes and adding certificates to your resume, or your ego. If you get past our checks and then act in ways that are irresponsible, childish, immature, or unprofessional in any manner whatsoever, you’ll quickly be removed and we'll publish your suspension online. Take this seriously, because we do.