Del Brendon Arbilon

Born and raised in the Philippines, Brendon grew up around firearms, influenced by his father—a lawyer and avid IPSC shooter. In April 2014, he migrated to the United States, uncertain of what his future held but determined to carve his own path.

In 2014 and 2015 both Brendon’s parents passed, and he was left to fend for himself and his little brother, Brendon is not foreign to hardships and responsibility, he heralds this time of his life as the reason he is who he is today.

In March 2017, Brendon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, earning the military occupational specialty of Combat Engineer. Assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Mobility Assault Company, he took on multiple leadership roles, including IED Detection Team Leader, Fireteam Leader, and Squad Leader. Rising through the ranks to Corporal and later Sergeant, he ultimately became the Training Sergeant, responsible for maintaining and improving his company’s training standards.

Brendon was deployed to the southern U.S. border in support of Border Patrol operations and later trained foreign militaries in the Middle East in counter-IED tactics. As part of his role, he conducted route clearance operations, ensuring safe passage for assault forces by detecting and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other hazards before the main force advanced. His expertise in reconnaissance, explosives, and tactical movement sharpened his ability to assess threats and make precise decisions in high-risk environments.

After leaving the Marine Corps in 2021, Brendon transitioned into professional firearms instruction, joining a premier CCW training company in Southern California. Over the next five years (2019-2025), he progressed from Range Safety Officer (RSO) to Instructor, Lead Instructor, and ultimately Program Director. During his tenure, he taught/trained/ and assisted approximately 1,500 CCW students across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Riverside counties. He also led advanced group training in post-CCW defensive tactics, rifle fundamentals, and high-level firearms handling. In addition to instruction, he played a pivotal role in developing and implementing approximately 20 training curriculums, many of which remain in use today.

However, despite his military experience, leadership background, knowledge in training and tactics, Brendon recognized that traditional Marine Corps training lacked the advanced firearms proficiency and communication skills necessary for effective civilian instruction. To bridge the gap between military, civilian, and law enforcement training, he sought out additional civilian instructor courses to refine his teaching approach, firearms handling, and ability to connect with students from all backgrounds—an area where many military instructors struggle.

At 21 years old, Brendon became a CCW holder, a rarity in California in 2018. This experience gave him a unique perspective as both an instructor and a concealed carrier, allowing him to better understand and relate to his students' concerns, challenges, and responsibilities. To further develop his instructional skillset, he immersed himself in competition shooting and defensive firearms training outside the military, focusing on practical applications, efficient firearms manipulation, and stress-based performance shooting.

Brendon is a POST-Certified Firearms Instructor, a California DOJ-Certified CCW Instructor, a USCCA CCW Instructor, and a USCCA Rifle Instructor. He has also assisted multiple local police departments, particularly in San Bernardino County, by supporting range operations, assisting in firearms qualifications, and working alongside Range Masters to develop effective training curriculums. His understanding of both civilian and law enforcement training needs allows him to adapt instruction for both professional and everyday defensive applications.

In 2025, Brendon founded Arbilon Defense Solutions, an independent training company dedicated to elevating firearms education through high-level, real-world training. His mission is to empower students with the technical skills, critical thinking, and defensive mindset necessary for personal protection and professional development.

Brendon’s mentorship starts before the class and extends well beyond it. He is known for being highly approachable, patient, and committed to his students' progress. Many of his students praise him for being available to answer questions post-class and for genuinely caring about their development as responsible gun owners. His instruction goes beyond just teaching technical skills—he builds confidence, fosters a strong defensive mindset, and ensures that students feel supported long after their training session ends.

A dedicated instructor, mentor, and curriculum developer, Brendon remains committed to advancing firearms education by combining real-world experience, competition shooting expertise, and a passion for teaching. His ability to relate to civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel alike sets him apart, ensuring that his instruction is both technically sound and practical for real-world applications.