I grew up hunting in a rural area of Orleans County. I became interested and trained in firearms through friends in my neighborhood. With very little to do in the area, and a dream of becoming a police officer, I enlisted in the Navy as a Master at Arms, Military Police. After 4 years of moving up the ranks, I felt it was time to pass down my knowledge to the next generation.

In 2006, I became an Instructor at the Navy Police Academy in Virginia Beach, VA. While there, I trained over 400 new Military Police officers. I also attended the Navy Small Arms Instructor School in Chesapeake, VA. Upon completion of this assignment, I transferred to Naval District Washington DC. I became the Command’s Training Officer, in charge of all Law Enforcement training. In my philosophy of constantly learning and teaching, I completed Defensive Tactics Instructor, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Instructor, and Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor status. I was also the commands Lead Firearms instructor. While there, my unit achieved a 97% qualification rate with over 300 Navy civilian and Active-Duty Police Officers trained.

After much thought and soul searching, I decided that it was time to move on from the military. I still have a passion for instructing and ensuring others safety and security, which led me to Rochester Personal Defense, LLC as an instructor. I firmly believe that you are never done learning when it comes to firearms. Shooting is a perishable skill, and there is no point in carrying a firearm if you are not proficient enough to use it.