Andy Padilla

Andy “Gunny” Padilla is a retired U.S. Marine infantryman whose distinguished career includes several combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout his service, he held multiple high-level instructor positions, including:

Marksmanship Instructor

Foreign Weapons Instructor

Machinegun Instructor

Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) Instructor

Combat Instructor

Weapons and Tactics Instructor

Andy has trained and mentored both U.S. military personnel and international forces in firearms employment, tactical operations, and combat readiness.

In addition to his military background, Andy holds extensive civilian certifications:

USCCA Certified Instructor

NRA Chief Range Safety Officer

NRA Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun Instructor

NRA Personal Protection in the Home Instructor

Kansas Concealed Carry Handgun License Instructor

Smith & Wesson Armorer

Over his 31+ years as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Chief Instructor, Director of Range & Training Operations, and General Manager of a premier range and training facility, Andy has become a respected leader in the firearms industry. His knowledge, experience, and leadership play a critical role in driving this training company toward becoming the nation’s leading provider of firearms education.

Andy’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help responsible armed citizens, as well as federal, local law enforcement, and military professionals, gain the skills, confidence, and mindset necessary to safeguard their lives and protect those they love.