In addition to the Open Enrollment and LE/ Military Courses that form the base of Direct Action Tactical’s firearms curriculum, we are proud to offer a wide variety of specialized courses. The specialty courses are designed primarily as one-day programs that complement and expand on skills introduced in one of our core programs. These classes will be scheduled on an “as requested” basis by our hosting partners. The specialty courses make a great “weekend” refresher or as part of a shooter’s continuing education. Training to defend yourself is the most serious endeavor you could ever undertake. However, as most of us also know, firearms are a seriously enjoyable hobby. Whether competition, target plinking or hunting is what you use your firearms for D.A.T. has a specialty program for you.
Course List – Quick Access
| Armed Home Defense | Competition Handgun | Extreme Close Quarters |
| Grounded and Wounded | Low Light Encounters |
| Vehicle Based Defense |
Armed Home Defense – 2 Day – $400
Armed Home Defense (AHD) is perfect for the homeowner who wishes to protect his or her castle with firearms. This course will focus on the tactics and techniques to apply an armed defense within one’s home or place of business. DAY 1: Defensive strategies, safe room procedures, site reinforcement, basic movement, weapon selection, intro to shotgun & carbine, low-light tactics, combat marksmanship, ballistic capabilities demonstration, weapons retention, law enforcement interaction, and legal issues. Day 2: Structure movements and tactics utilizing force-on-force training. Participants will train in a real environment and practice both armed and unarmed skills that will help you prevail in an encounter within a structure.
Prerequisite: Completion of a D.A.T. Defensive Handgun, D.A.T. Concealed Carry, or Comparable training as approved by D.A.T. Staff (military, law enforcement, NRA, other private training).
Cost: $400.00
Min/Max enrollment: 8/24 students
Student Responsibility (Ammunition & Equipment):
- Ammunition: 500 rounds
- Working Modern handgun, with at least 3 magazines or speed loaders
- Holster and Magazine Carrier (Open, Concealed, Duty or Tactical)
- Pants with belt
- Sturdy footwear
- Hat with a brim
- Weather appropriate gear (rain gear, sunscreen, etc.)
- Eye and Ear Protection
Competition Handgun – 2 Day – $350
Competition Handgun is a program designed to maximize your results during action pistol competitions (IDPA, USPSA). This class is perfect for the new competition shooter or the seasoned competitor looking to break through to the next level. The emphasis of the training will be on building the required skills to advance in your chosen sport. In addition, this course will help shooters build a proper practice regime to move towards their goals. The course will cover: handgun selection & set-up, equipment, rules, classification systems, mental preparation, match prep, stage management, fundamentals, dynamic handgun manipulation, speed/accuracy relationship, draw cycle, re-loads, movement, target transition, specialty targets, shooting from ports/cover, shooting on the move, training plans, dry fire & live-fire practice routines, and stress management.
Prerequisite: Completion of a D.A.T. Basic Firearms safety course or Comparable training as approved by D.A.T. Staff (military, law enforcement, NRA, other private training) or Classified competitive shooter in IDPA, USPSA, ICORE or SASS.
Cost: $350.00
Min/Max enrollment: 8/24 students
Student Responsibility (Ammunition & Equipment):
- Ammunition: 1,200 rounds
- Working modern handgun, with at least 4 magazines or 6 speed loaders/moon clips
- Holster and Magazine Carrier
- Pants with belt
- Sturdy footwear
- Hat with a brim
- Weather appropriate gear (rain gear, sunscreen, etc.)
- Eye and Ear Protection
Extreme Close Quarters – 2 Day – $400
In the Extreme Close Quarters Course, students will focus their training on lethal encounters that occur from fewer than five yards. In this close-in, fast, brutal environment training will include multiple close quarters shooting positions, weapon retention, firing from retention, open hand/armed integration, draws from contact, and disengagement techniques. Day one will focus on physical combative and how they specifically relate to in-fight weapons access. In a close quarters fight knowing how, but more importantly, WHEN to go for your handgun is paramount to success. Students will work combative drills focusing on, weapon carry options, distancing strikes and kicks, movement patterns, handgun retention, in-fight weapons access, contact distance strikes, alternate weapon placement & use, grounded options, and weapon take-aways.
Prerequisite: Completion of a D.A.T. Defensive Handgun, D.A.T. Concealed Carry, or Comparable training as approved by D.A.T. Staff (military, law enforcement, NRA, other private training).
Cost: $400.00
Min/Max enrollment: 8/24 students
Student Responsibility (Ammunition & Equipment):
- Ammunition: 500 rounds
- Working modern handgun, with at least 3 magazines or speed loaders
- Holster and Magazine Carrier (Open, Concealed, Duty or Tactical)
- Pants with belt
- Sturdy footwear
- Hat with a brim
- Weather appropriate gear (rain gear, sunscreen, etc.)
- Eye and Ear Protection
- Gloves
- Mouth Guard
- Bluegun identical to handgun used (if you do not have one we will provide a training weapon but it may not match exactly to your holster/set-up)
Grounded and Wounded – 1 Day – $350
If your firearms training regime only includes drills with perfect grip, stances, and presentations then this class will help fill a huge gap in your warrior toolbox. In Grounded and Wounded students will not fire a single round from a conventional two-handed presentation. Training will focus on the “worst case” scenario that you are knocked to the ground during the fight or wounded during the exchange. Topics will include shooting from grounded positions, one handed firearms manipulation (draw, shooting, reloads, malfunction clearance), overcoming less than ideal conditions, and stress inoculation drills.
Prerequisite: Completion of a D.A.T. Defensive Handgun, D.A.T. Concealed Carry, or Comparable training as approved by D.A.T. Staff (military, law enforcement, NRA, other private training).
Cost: $350.00
Min/Max enrollment: 8/24 students
Student Responsibility (Ammunition & Equipment):
- Ammunition: 500 rounds
- Working modern handgun, with at least 3 magazines or speed loaders
- Holster and Magazine Carrier (Open, Concealed, Duty or Tactical)
- Pants with belt
- Sturdy footwear
- Hat with a brim
- Weather appropriate gear (rain gear, sunscreen, etc.)
- Eye and Ear Protection
Low Light Encounters – 1 Day – $300
Seventy-five percent of all armed encounters occur during periods of low light. Simply put, the predators of society prefer to conceal their actions under the cover of darkness. This course is designed to expand a shooter’s ability to operate in a low-light environment and to prevail in an armed encounter. Topics will include defensive mindset, weapon and equipment selection, flashlight selection, low light marksmanship, flashlight manipulation, movement, light/firearm manipulation, and low-light tactics.
Prerequisite: Completion of a D.A.T. Defensive Handgun, D.A.T. Concealed Carry, or Comparable training as approved by D.A.T. Staff (military, law enforcement, NRA, other private training).
Cost: $300.00
Min/Max enrollment: 8/24 students
Student Responsibility (Ammunition & Equipment):
- Ammunition: 500 rounds
- Working modern handgun, with at least 3 magazines or speed loaders
- Holster and Magazine Carrier (Open, Concealed, Duty or Tactical)
- Handheld Flashlight
- Weapon Mounted Light (*Optional*)
- Pants with belt
- Sturdy footwear
- Hat with a brim
- Weather appropriate gear (rain gear, sunscreen, etc.)
- Eye and Ear Protection
Vehicle-Based Defense – 1 Day – $300
Carrying a concealed weapon is a noble decision that presents a certain series of challenges. These challenges are particularly evident in using a concealed firearm in or around vehicles. This course is set up to enhance a shooter’s skill and ability to employ a firearm from within a vehicle. Content will include equipment selection, defensive mindset, seated concealed draw, weapon manipulation in a vehicle, combat marksmanship, concealed reloads, use of cover, legal considerations, counter car-jacking tactics, and vehicle ballistics.
Prerequisite: Completion of a D.A.T. Defensive Handgun, D.A.T. Concealed Carry, or Comparable training as approved by D.A.T. Staff (military, law enforcement, NRA, other private training).
Cost: $300.00
Min/Max enrollment: 8/24 students
Student Responsibility (Ammunition & Equipment):
- Ammunition: 500 rounds
- Working modern handgun, with at least 3 magazines or speed loaders
- Holster and Magazine Carrier (Open, Concealed, Duty or Tactical)
- Pants with belt
- Sturdy footwear
- Hat with a brim
- Weather appropriate gear (rain gear, sunscreen, etc.)
- Eye and Ear Protection