By: Clark -Carryconcealed.net

The United States Shooting Academy USSA seems to be the perfect cross between Law Enforcement Training and the Civilians needs for advanced training. Their company tag line is “You cannot afford to lose-You must win the fight”. This is a great motto considering the target shooting audience for the USSA is the US Military, Law Enforcement, Civilians interested in proper training and Competitive Events. You would not think that all of these markets could be addressed in one facility, well guess what; It has been addressed. Not only as it been addressed, it has exceeded the requirements for any one of the target markets.

The Carryconcealed.net team was able to tour the new facility in Tulsa. This facility is still under construction and is undergoing major changes.  It is located out by the Tulsa Police Academy and has some of the most impressive dirt works we have ever seen. The earth works and backstops are some of the highest and thickest in the country.     

We were met at the gate by Bret Kennedy Director of Marketing and given the grand tour.  We started out in the large black Suburban and headed to the ranges. The ranges include; Reactive Steel Range; Large Multi-Purpose Range; Intermediate Multi-Purpose Ranges; Carbine Ranges; Pneumatic Popper Ranges; Live-Fire Shoot House; 360-Degree Live-Fire Training Range; Tactical Assault Training Facility; 30 yard Range; and the Law Enforcement Military Qualification Range.  We were stunned at the sheer magnitude of the facility.  At the end of the tour we were able to see the 9,000 square foot Club House that also has several training rooms for the class portions of training.

Words cannot describe the raw power and potential of this training compound.  We will go through some of the sites and show how they are being used today, and include some of the plans as they move forward.

 The map listed below does not even begin to do the range justice. While it is not complete the map gives you the forward view of the entire range and the sheer enormous amount of planning that has gone into this facility. The numbers listed below are also represented on the map to help with orientation. The letters on the left correlate to the map. As you read down the list you can get a good idea of the lay out for the range. Yes - that is an airplane in the diagram. They are planning on having training for Air Marshals and professionals helping to protect our nations sky's.

Buildings: Ranges:

A: Main Lodge –This is a 9,000 square foot building that has training rooms and almost everything you could imagine for training, and social events. There are several fireplaces and a DOD compliant safe. This was under construction when we went through, but should be on line soon. The Navy Seals needed the safe in operation when they were training there, but were able to use the Tulsa Police safe next door.

B: Maintenance Building

C: Ballistic Shoot House – What can you say about a room that you can shoot live ammunition during training? This an't your normal play room! It also includes video and infrared taping for feedback and a quality learning environment. Pictured on the right is Bret from USSA and Dan one of our Carryconcealed.net contributors. Bret had been showing the make up of the live fire room and the flexibility designed into the building. Walls can be moved and different layouts can be integrated into classes.

D: Armory (Phase 2)

E: Organizational Building (Phase 2)

F: Defensive Tactics (Phase 2)

 1: Action Pistol Ranges 

2:  Pneumatic Shoot-Off Range

3:  100 Meter Carbine Range #1

4:  300 Meter Rifle Range

5:  Multi-Purpose Ranges Pictured on the right with the car is one of the bays set aside for realistic drills using real cars for cover. The additional steps for realism help students train like it is the real deal.

 6:  Multi-Purpose Ranges

7:  360 Degree Combat Field - Is a 360 degree range that allows vehicles to drive in and have have live fire drills with total freedom to set the course to the specific needs of the customer requiring training. Just before our tour, the military had convoy protection drills. Having live fire being taught by the pros can help save lives before they see the real combat scenarios.

8:  Tactical Assault Field

9:  Police / Military Qualification Range  This range is almost complete. This will help with an outstanding shooting range for qualifications. As an instructor, this is a dream come true. It would be an absolute blast to be able to use this kind of facility in teaching and scoring students.

10:  Reactive Steel Range

11: 100 Meter Carbine Range #2

If you are going to spend millions to get some of the best facilities in the world, it also seems like you would want top notch trainers and staff members. Let’s take a look at several of them. First is Brian Hill, Director of Training. He joined in 2005 to lead the development and planning of what would become one of the nation’s most complete and noteworthy security, protection, and firearms training facilities. 

Hill was instrumental in the overall design and structure of the USSA and was primarily responsible for construction oversight during the 18-month building process as well as for the management of the Training Division, assisting in the formulation and implementation of all training curriculum and the hiring of the Academy’s nationally renowned staff of instructors.  He also developed the Academy’s Environmental Stewardship and Lead Reclamation Plan in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recommendations as well as the facility’s mitigation plan required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Concurrent with his role as Director of Operations, Hill also serves as an instructor for many of the USSA’s courses, including handgun, rifle, select fire, and specialty weapons.    Hill’s certifications include: Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor - National Rifle Association (NRA); Submachine Gun Instructor - Heckler and Koch (HK); Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor - Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET); Shoot House and Chemical Agents/Less Lethal Weapons Instructor - National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA); and Simunition Scenario and Safety Instructor - (SNC), to name a few.

Hill is a member of NTOA, International Tactical Officers Training Association (ITOTA), Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA), International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI), Oklahoma Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (OALEFI), International Law Enforcement Education Training Association (ILEETA), Police Marksman Association (PMA), and the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA).

Second let’s take a glance at Phil Strader, Director of Competitive Events for the United States Shooting Academy We were able to visit with Phil at the end of our tour. Phil has over 40 state, regional and national shooting competition titles, including two U.S. Standard Team World Championships and a World Speed Shooting Championship (2006).  Additionally, he was the 2003 National Point Series Champion and a member of the 2002 and 2005 U.S. Standard Gold Teams-World Shoot XIII & XIV.

Prior to joining the United States Shooting Academy, Strader served as a police officer and firearms instructor for the U.S. Capitol Police in Washington, D.C. for ten years.  He also worked as a police officer with the Danville (VA) Police Department, where he was assigned to the city’s first federally funded Community Police Program.

His professional certifications include FLETC Firearms Instructor Training Program, FBI Advanced Firearms Instructional Techniques, H&K Certified Operator/Instructor – MP5, USCP Certified Operator/Instructor – MP5/Benelli M1 Super90/H&K G36/RRA M4, USPSA Certified Range Officer, IDPA Certified Safety Officer and NRA Certified Instructor in Basic Pistol and Personal Protection.

With only looking at two of the instructors, we can get a general idea and theme for the Untied States Shooting Academy, and that is “Over the Top”.  This will be a group of trainers to keep an eye on. We will be updating our site with an additional articles to help keep our readers informed of the progress.

Bret Kennedy who took the extra time to take us around this magnificent example of the perfect blend of Law Enforcement, Military, and Civilian training available.  While we were not able to go through the classes to see how they are handled, we hope to stop by and check out how they train for a future report. If everyone is as professional as Brett, they will have a top notch staff and ensure a rewarding training experience.

One thing that we are seeing in the concealed carry space is that advanced training is becoming a necessity. There has not been an easy access for the civilian market for the advanced training that is available to our military and law enforcement. This facility and staff have the opportunity to fill this void in the market, and they have the talent to set the bar for performance. For any questions or to schedule a class, please contact USSA at 866-441-8772 and ask for Brendan Fitzgerald or Chaera Stone.

“You cannot afford to lose-You must win the fight”.

Happy trails and keep the lead down range - Clark