VALIDUS Handgun Courses - Mastery Training Program (Level 1)

If you are serious about personal protection and want to master the handgun  – this is the program for you. VALIDUS Handgun Courses - Mastery Training Program (Level 1) was developed by our founder Ron Gasper, retired U.S. Navy SEAL.

Real-world experience, and thousands of hours of providing firearms instruction, have taught Ron that it’s impossible to learn the skills needed to become proficient with a firearm in just one or two courses. This includes the basic CCW course most people attend, which WILL NOT prepare you to be competent or confident with shooting, concealed carry, or personal protection. So, he developed a comprehensive, multi-course program with a training methodology that is process-oriented and results-driven. 

This program spans approximately one year and trains students on what it takes to safely and efficiently master a handgun for self-defense. Our teaching methods break down each shooting technique into easy-to-learn steps and coach you through the entire process, so you learn quickly and efficiently as you develop, improve, retain and master your shooting skills

Here’s how the program works and why it is so successful…

Once you complete our Handgun Fundamentals Course (HFC) or an equivalent Executive Team-building Event (ETE), you become eligible to join the VALIDUS Handgun Courses - Mastery Training Program (Level 1).  We look for members who are serious about mastering their shooting skills and who will commit to the entire program. We also want members who are safe, responsible, and enjoy group camaraderie.

VALIDUS Handgun Courses - Mastery Training Program (Level 1) includes 3 Phases: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. The beginner phase consists of our Handgun Fundamentals Course (HFC) and Essential Shooting Skills (ESS) Course.  Intermediate Phase includes VALIDUS Handgun Course (VHC) – Level 1 and Level 2. Advanced Phase includes the VALIDUS Handgun Course – Level 3 (VHC-L3) and our Conflict Simulation Course (CSC).

Each one of these Main Courses is scheduled approximately 6-8 weeks apart. You will have 2-3 dates to choose from for each. It is in these Main Courses where you learn a “New Set” of essential shooting skills. However, what makes this program so successful are the many 3-Hour Retention Courses (RC’s) we offer each month in between Main Courses. RC’s help you further develop, improve, retain and master the skills you learned in the Main Course to prepare you for the next level.

Retention Courses (RC’s) are offered up to 6 times per month on different days/times. We have found this provides our “busy members” with plenty of options to attend training. For best results, we recommend 2 RC’s between each Main Course or 1 per month. Attend as your schedule allows. 

Phase 1 Beginner: Firearms Safety and Fundamentals of Marksmanship

Phase 1 establishes the foundation necessary to master the handgun. Upon successful completion of this phase, you will be able to demonstrate safe and professional handling procedures utilizing proper techniques with the fundamentals of shooting. You will also learn…

✔️ Steps to achieve and maintain proper grip

✔️ Components of aiming for accuracy

✔️ Methods to develop speed while maintaining accuracy

✔️ Effective presentation and multiple threat acquisition

✔️ Essential shooting skills using efficiency of motion

✔️ Techniques that will help you prevail under stress

Phase 1 Courses Include:

- Handgun Fundamentals Course (HFC)
- Essential Shooting Skills (ESS) Course
- 3-Hour Retention Courses (RC's)

Phase 2 Intermediate: Development of Real-World Skills

Phase 2 builds on the fundamentals of marksmanship and safe handling and propels your skill and knowledge to the next level with advanced handling techniques and concepts that prepare you for realistic self-defense scenarios. Instruction includes:

✔️ Critical Incident holster draw and reloading

✔️ Solving malfunctions/stoppages

✔️ Situational awareness, mindset, and active threat assessment 

✔️ Decisive decision-making shoot/no-shoot concepts and drills

✔️ Shooting on the move with accuracy/speed

✔️ Effective use of cover/concealment

✔️ Strong and support hand only shooting

✔️ Tactical reloads and press checks

✔️ Mixed distance/multiple threat engagement

✔️ Combined skill drills and scenarios

Phase 2 Courses Include:

- Validus Handgun Course – Level 1 (VCC-L1)
- Validus Handgun Course – Level 2 (VCC-L2)
- 3-Hour Retention Courses (RC's)

Phase 3 Advanced: Validation Through Application and Conflict Simulation 

Phase 3 reinforces and expands upon techniques learned in Phase 2. This phase will also audit and validate your shooting skills through the application of advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures during dynamic drills, scenarios, and realistic conflict simulations. In addition, you will become proficient with...

✔️ Advanced handling and decision making 

✔️ Unconventional shooting positions and techniques

✔️ Wounded hand reloading techniques

✔️ Shooting from and around vehicles, structures, and obstacles

✔️ Experiencing the stress and speed of a lethal force encounter through the use of simulated ammunition and role players during realistic scenarios

Phase 3 Courses Include:

- Validus Handgun Course – Level 3 (VHC-L3)
- Validus - Conflict Simulation Course (V-CSC)
- Validus 3-Hour Retention Courses (RC's)

Terms and Conditions of training and membership apply. Once registered, you will receive a course syllabus, details for membership, scheduling options, and gear requirements. We are happy to answer any questions.