Brett Bies
Instructor # 2815685 | Olympic Defense
Certified with the USCCA since 5/4/2025
Certification Renewal Date 5/4/2027
USCCA Certifications
- Concealed Carry & Home Defense
- Range Safety Officer
- Countering the Mass Shooter
- Women's Handgun & Self-Defense
My Biography
Brett Bies is the founder and Lead Instructor of Olympic Defense, proudly serving the North Olympic Peninsula and Clallam County area. A U.S. Navy combat veteran who served during Desert Storm, Brett brings a deep-rooted commitment to discipline, personal responsibility, and service to his instruction. He is a USCCA Certified Instructor specializing in Basic Handgun, Concealed Carry, Home Defense Fundamentals, Countering the Mass Shooter, and Women's Handgun and Self-Defense Fundamentals.
Brett’s professional background and instructional methodology are anchored in decades of technology, risk management, cybersecurity, and physical security experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business – IT Management, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Community Bank Security Officer, a licensed private security guard, and an FAA Part 107 licensed commercial drone pilot. Having served at the executive level as both a Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) in the banking industry, he currently directs IT and cybersecurity operations within the private security sector. This extensive background allows him to analyze and teach personal protection through the highly structured lens of institutional threat mitigation.
Through Olympic Defense, Brett is dedicated to growing a knowledgeable and engaged community of responsible firearm owners capable of serving as their family's first line of defense. He teaches personal defense as a comprehensive mindset rather than an isolated physical skill, focusing heavily on proactive safety, threat assessment, and situational awareness. He specializes in helping individuals build safe-handling habits and successfully navigate the complexities of Washington State firearms compliance.
When he isn’t teaching classes on the range or managing network security operations, Brett enjoys exploring the Olympic National Forest and spending time with his wife, family, and their two dogs.
Request a Class
Course Overview:
Cost: 100% Free.
Welcome to Olympic Defense! This official USCCA Basic Handgun course is comprehensively designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills for safe and effective handgun handling. It meticulously covers the full USCCA curriculum and simultaneously fulfills all training requirements mandated by Washington State's Initiative 1639 and HB 1143.
Successful completion provides you with a USCCA course completion certificate and the firearms safety training certificate necessary for purchasing any firearm in Washington. Whether you're a new gun owner or looking to refresh your knowledge and obtain your state-required certification, this course covers handgun safety fundamentals, responsible gun ownership practices, critical legal considerations, and defensive shooting principles.
A Commitment to Our Community & Your Safety: Why This Course is Free
At Olympic Defense, we believe that responsible firearm ownership is a cornerstone of personal safety and a vital aspect of our shared heritage. We are offering this comprehensive USCCA Basic Handgun & Washington State Firearms Safety
Certification Course completely free of charge as part of our commitment to several core principles:
Growing the Second Amendment Community: We aim to foster a knowledgeable, responsible, and engaged community of firearm owners. By removing financial barriers, we hope to welcome more individuals into the fold, empowering them with the education needed to exercise their rights safely and confidently.
Empowering Personal Responsibility: We firmly believe in the importance of individuals taking proactive steps to ensure their own safety and the security of their loved ones. This course provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for you to become your family's first line of defense, equipped to handle firearms responsibly and understand the critical legal and ethical considerations involved.
Promoting a Culture of Safety: Widespread access to quality firearms education is key to enhancing safety for everyone. By offering this training for free, we contribute to a more informed and skilled populace, reducing accidents and promoting safe gun handling practices throughout our community.
Your safety, your rights, and the well-being of our community are our utmost priorities. We are proud to invest in your education and empower you on your journey to responsible firearm ownership.
What We'll Teach
USCCA Basic Handgun Curriculum
Lessons: Self-Defense Firearms Basics Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Gear and Gadgets Basic and Advanced Skills Washington State & Federal Firearms Laws Conflict Avoidance & De-escalation
Other topics covered: Personal Safety, Handgun Safety, Handgun Fundamentals, Handgun Operation, Handgun Selection, Physiological Reactions to Violent Encounters, Firearms and Suicide Prevention, and Talking to Children about Gun Safety.
This comprehensive Home Defense course is designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep yourself and your family safe within your home. The curriculum moves beyond basic marksmanship, focusing on practical protection strategies, legal considerations, and the physical and mental preparation required for real-world scenarios.
Course Summary
Personal and Home Protection Planning: Learn how to develop a physical, legal, financial, and moral safety plan. This includes evaluating your home’s security, understanding the mindset of a "first responder" for your family, and conducting mental exercises to prepare for critical incidents.
Conflict Avoidance and Home Security: Discover why conflict avoidance is the only guaranteed way to survive a violent encounter. The course provides a checklist for securing windows and doors, utilizing alarm systems and cameras, and establishing a safe retreat route for all family members.
Self-Defense Firearms Basics: Gain a solid understanding of home defense tools, including revolvers, semi-automatics, shotguns, and the AR-15 platform. We cover universal safety rules, ammunition types, and proper care and storage for your gear.
Defensive Shooting Fundamentals: Master the skills needed for a dynamic incident, such as proper grip, an athletic/fighting stance, and aligning your muzzle under stress. You will learn various target alignment methods, including unsighted fire and front sight focus.
The Legal Use of Force: Understand the parameters of the legal use of force and the threshold for using force to defend your home versus your property. Learn how investigators and prosecutors apply the "reasonable person test" following a self-defense incident.
Violent Encounters and the Aftermath: Prepare for what happens after a confrontation. This includes how to interact with the police, preserving evidence, invoking your rights, and navigating the emotional and financial consequences of a self-defense situation.
Gear and Gadgets: Explore the benefits of tactical accessories like flashlights, laser sights, and mounted optics. You will also receive guidance on creating an ongoing training program and staging your home defense tools effectively.