CALIBER FIREARMS ACADEMY
Instructor # 2210719 | CALIBER FIREARMS ACADEMY
Certified with the USCCA since 5/22/2025
Certification Renewal Date 5/22/2027
USCCA Certifications
- Concealed Carry & Home Defense
- Countering the Mass Shooter
- Women's Handgun & Self-Defense
- Range Safety Officer
- Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals - Training Counselor
- Emergency & First Aid
- Children's Firearms & Safety Fundamentals
- Marksmanship Simplified: Foundations of Handgun Coaching
My Biography
Caliber Firearms Academy is a professional training organization dedicated to developing safe, confident, and responsible armed citizens. Our instructor cadre brings a broad range of real‑world experience, including certified firearms trainers, active‑shooter instructors, security professionals, medical and trauma responders, and faith‑based safety specialists. Together, our team delivers disciplined, high‑quality instruction built on nationally recognized standards, including USCCA curriculum, state‑certified training, and CFA‑developed advanced courses. CFA provides comprehensive training across multiple disciplines: defensive handgun skills, concealed carry development, situational awareness, de‑escalation, trauma care, and decision‑making under stress. Our instructors also specialize in faith‑based readiness and response programs, offering practical, real‑world training for churches and ministry teams focused on awareness, armed congregant responsibilities, emergency response, and defensive engagement. We support families and children through age‑appropriate firearms safety education and parent guidance designed to promote responsible firearm storage, safe habits, and informed decision‑making in the home. CFA also provides specialized safety and preparedness training for businesses and educational organizations. Our programs address workplace violence prevention, threat recognition, emergency response, staff readiness, and organizational safety planning. These courses are tailored to the unique needs of corporate environments, schools, and community institutions seeking to strengthen their safety culture and response capabilities. Our mission is to deliver practical, disciplined, and safety‑driven training that prepares every student — adults, youth, churches, businesses, schools, and security teams — for real‑world defensive situations with confidence and responsibility.
Current Classes Available
Request a Class
FOR THE TENNESSEE COURSE ONLY: FIRST, please go to the State Website and complete the application for Handgun carry permit:
Next, if you have any issues receiving your application number or any other issues with the application, please call (615)251-8590.
Finally, please send us your state application number and register for class on this site.
The TN Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit Class provides the state‑mandated training required to apply for Tennessee’s Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit. This comprehensive course is designed for responsible citizens seeking a deeper understanding of handgun safety, lawful carry, and defensive firearm fundamentals. Students receive structured instruction in firearm safety rules, safe handling, storage and transport, situational awareness, conflict avoidance, legal responsibilities, and the fundamentals of defensive shooting. The class includes both classroom instruction and the required live‑fire qualification, ensuring students demonstrate safe operation and basic marksmanship skills. This course meets all Tennessee state requirements for the Enhanced Handgun Carry Permit and prepares students to carry a handgun confidently and responsibly in public.
The TN Unarmed Security Guard – This course provides the required state‑approved training for new and current licensed Tennessee Unarmed Security Guards. This class reinforces the essential knowledge, responsibilities, and professional standards expected of security personnel while updating students on any changes in Tennessee laws, regulations, and industry best practices. This course focuses on maintaining professionalism, improving situational awareness, strengthening communication and reporting skills, and reviewing foundational safety principles. Students revisit core responsibilities of unarmed guards, discuss real‑world security scenarios, and ensure they remain compliant with state requirements for continued employment in the private security industry. This training meets the Tennessee state requirement for new and renewing an unarmed guard registration and provides the documentation needed for submission to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
The TN Armed Security Guard – New Applicant course provides the full state‑mandated training required to apply for the Tennessee Armed Security Guard License. This comprehensive program is designed for individuals entering the armed security profession and delivers the legal knowledge, firearm skills, and professional responsibilities expected of armed officers working in public and private environments. Students receive structured instruction in Tennessee security laws, use‑of‑force considerations, duty responsibilities, situational awareness, de‑escalation, communication, and incident response. The course includes extensive firearm safety training, marksmanship fundamentals, safe handling, loading and unloading, malfunction clearing, and the required Tennessee armed guard live‑fire qualification. This training meets all Tennessee state requirements for armed guard licensing and prepares students to carry a firearm responsibly and professionally while performing security duties.
The TN Armed Security Guard – Renewal course provides the mandatory state‑approved refresher training required to maintain an active Tennessee Armed Security Guard License. This course reinforces the legal responsibilities, firearm safety practices, and professional standards expected of armed security personnel while ensuring students remain current with Tennessee laws, regulations, and industry best practices. Students review critical topics including use‑of‑force considerations, situational awareness, communication and reporting, duty responsibilities, and safe firearm operation. The course includes the required Tennessee armed guard live‑fire qualification, ensuring each officer demonstrates continued proficiency and safe handling of their duty firearm. This training meets all Tennessee state requirements for renewing an armed guard license and provides the documentation needed for submission to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
The USCCA Certified Instructor Course is a three‑day professional development program focused on preparing instructor candidates to effectively teach adult learners. This course emphasizes understanding adult learning styles, managing different learner types, communicating clearly, maintaining safety, and creating an environment where adults can learn confidently and successfully. Instructor candidates will learn how adults process information, how to structure lessons for adult engagement, how to manage classroom dynamics, and how to deliver curriculum in a way that supports retention and confidence. This course does not teach shooting fundamentals; candidates are expected to already possess solid firearm handling and shooting skills prior to attending.
Upon successful completion, candidates will earn their USCCA Instructor Certification, granting them the ability to teach the three primary USCCA courses:
• Basic Handgun • Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals • Home Defense
After certification, instructors will receive official USCCA teaching materials, including curriculum that covers shooting concepts, defensive skills, and structured lesson plans. Certified instructors will also be authorized to teach a variety of USCCA Mini Classes, which are short‑format specialty courses designed to address focused defensive topics and skill areas. This certification equips instructors to deliver high‑quality, adult‑centered training to their communities while upholding the professionalism, safety, and instructional standards set by the USCCA.
The USCCA Instructor Renewal Course is designed for USCCA Instructors whose certification has expired and who must complete the full Instructor Certification Course again to regain active instructor status. Renewal candidates will attend the entire three‑day instructor program alongside new instructor candidates. This renewal process ensures instructors return to active status fully aligned with current USCCA standards, updated teaching practices, and the latest adult‑learning methodologies. The course focuses on understanding adult learner types, managing different personalities, communicating effectively, and delivering curriculum in a way that supports adult engagement and retention. This course does not teach shooting fundamentals; renewal candidates are expected to already possess solid firearm handling and shooting skills.
Upon successful completion of the renewal course, instructors will regain their USCCA Instructor Certification and will once again be authorized to teach the three primary USCCA classes:
• Basic Handgun • Concealed Carry & Home Defense Fundamentals • Home Defense
Renewed instructors will also retain authorization to teach all USCCA Mini Classes, which include short‑format specialty courses covering focused defensive topics and skill areas. This renewal ensures instructors remain current, compliant, and fully prepared to deliver high‑quality, adult‑centered training consistent with USCCA’s professional standards.
Building Safe, Confident, Responsible Handgun Owners From Day One.
EDC Foundations Level 1 is the starting point for every new or developing handgun owner. This class establishes the essential safety principles, handling skills, and foundational marksmanship techniques required before pursuing a carry permit or advancing into defensive training.
Students learn how to safely operate their handgun, understand their equipment, and build the confidence needed to progress through the EDC Foundations Program. Level 1 is intentionally structured, approachable, and designed to eliminate fear, uncertainty, and hesitation.
To make training accessible for all students, handgun rental and 50 rounds of ammunition are included in the cost of the class, ensuring that even those who do not yet own a firearm can participate fully.
This class demystifies ammunition and teaches students how to choose the right rounds for training and personal defense. Students learn the differences between FMJ and JHP, how bullet weight affects recoil and accuracy, and how ammunition performance impacts real‑world defensive outcomes.
Description: Students learn the essential shooting fundamentals that form the backbone of all defensive handgun skills. This class focuses on grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, and follow‑through. Students receive a structured dry‑fire homework assignment designed to build consistency and prepare them for EDC 4.
This class begins with a review of the EDC 3 homework to ensure students have built the required foundation. Students then apply their fundamentals in more realistic contexts, including timed drills, controlled movement, and accuracy under mild pressure.
Develop the skills needed to perform under stress.
Description: Students begin integrating defensive concepts such as recoil management, target transitions, and maintaining accuracy while moving. This class introduces the realities of defensive shooting, where speed, accuracy, and decision‑making must work together.
Learn to safely and efficiently draw from concealment. Description: This class focuses on the mechanics of carrying a concealed handgun. Students learn proper holster selection, concealment garments, safe draw‑stroke techniques, and how to reholster safely.
This class teaches students how to recognize threats, avoid danger, and make legally and morally sound decisions. Students learn situational awareness, pre‑attack indicators, and the legal framework surrounding the use of force.
Students learn how to move safely, use cover effectively, and shoot from various positions. This class introduces scenario‑based drills that simulate real‑world defensive encounters.
This final level brings everything together. Students combine movement, concealment, accuracy, decision‑making, and mindset into a cohesive defensive skillset.
This class meets all requirements for individuals mandated by the court to complete certified firearms safety or personal‑protection training. It provides documented instruction, verified attendance, and completion records suitable for submission to judicial authorities, probation officers, or legal counsel.
This course isolates the foundation of all handgun performance: a stable, consistent, and properly structured grip. Students learn how to build a grip that controls recoil, maintains sight alignment, and supports predictable accuracy under speed and stress.
Through guided dry‑fire and live‑fire drills, shooters develop the mechanics needed to eliminate grip‑related errors such as sympathetic hand movement, grip collapse, and inconsistent pressure. This class is ideal for new shooters, everyday carriers, and experienced marksmen seeking to refine their fundamentals.
Accuracy is not an accident — it is the result of disciplined fundamentals executed consistently. This course focuses on the core elements that produce precise, repeatable shot placement: sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, grip stability, and follow‑through. Students work through structured drills designed to isolate each accuracy component, identify errors, and build the habits required for consistent performance. This course is ideal for shooters preparing for defensive training, qualification standards, or personal skill development.
Trigger control is the single most important factor in handgun accuracy. This course teaches students how to press the trigger smoothly, isolate the trigger finger from the rest of the hand, and manage reset without disturbing the sights.
Through dry‑fire and live‑fire drills, students eliminate anticipation, flinching, jerking, and other trigger‑related errors. This class is ideal for new shooters, everyday carriers, church safety team members, and experienced marksmen seeking to refine their precision.
CFA Master Coaching & Performance Development is the top‑tier coaching experience for shooters who want comprehensive, individualized instruction across all major handgun fundamentals. This master‑level session integrates the full spectrum of coaching disciplines — grip mechanics, accuracy development, trigger control, recoil management, consistency building, and confidence under pressure. Students receive one‑on‑one coaching tailored to their current skill level and goals. Each session begins with a performance assessment, followed by targeted drills that refine technique, eliminate errors, and accelerate improvement. This is the ideal coaching option for shooters preparing for qualifications, advancing through the EDC Foundations Program, or seeking high‑level personal development.
CFA Private Coaching & Skill Development provides dedicated, one‑on‑one instruction for shooters who want personalized attention and targeted improvement. This coaching format is ideal for new shooters who need patient, individualized guidance, as well as experienced shooters who want to refine specific skills without the structure of a full course. Each session is built around the student’s goals — whether improving grip, tightening accuracy, mastering trigger control, preparing for qualification, or simply becoming more confident with their handgun. Instruction is paced according to the student’s comfort level, ensuring a safe, supportive, and highly productive learning environment.
This leadership‑focused course equips pastors, administrators, and safety team leaders with the knowledge required to build a legally defensible, spiritually aligned safety ministry. Leaders learn how to reduce liability, establish clear policies, create documentation that protects the church, and develop a structured safety team. Topics include emergency operations planning, volunteer selection, communication protocols, and risk‑management strategies that lower exposure to civil, criminal, and insurance‑related claims.