"If you're looking for calm, relaxed target shooting training, look elsewhere. If you're looking for realistic combative skills that may save your life in a deadly force firefight, taught by an internationally respected professional with real-world law enforcement experience, then Dave Spaulding is the trainer for you! I first went through Dave's class with 20 years experience as a cop. I learned more about combative shooting from him in those three days, than I did in the 20 previous years of "conventional" law enforcement training. "
Sgt. Charles E. Humes, Jr.
29 year law enforcement Veteran
Columnist for LawOfficer.Com
“I have had the good fortune to attend a number of training schools throughout this country. Dave is the best instructor I have had the opportunity to train with. He is totally committed to bringing out the best in every student in his classes. His “Simple Is Good” approach to teaching gun handling skills has, by far, made the most sense to me. If you listen to what he says and give an honest effort to follow his lead; you cannot help but improve your skills.”
Dick Reinheimer, Lead Instructor-Dynamic Handgun Course
Abington Twp Police &Montgomery County (PA) Public Safety Training Campus
"Firearms Instructors are a dime a dozen, but Tactical Mentors are extremely rare and Dave is one of the best."
Evan Marshall
Detroit PD Homicide Sergeant (retired), SWAT trainer
Author of the popular Stopping Power books from Paladin Press
“What I appreciate most about Dave Spaulding is that he uses the military acronym "KISS" in his training (Keep it Simple, Stupid) but calls it “Simple Is Good”. He doesn’t try and be all high speed with funky techniques. He uses the body’s natural physiology of motion to accomplish the task…in other words "economy of motion"! He is one of the few trainers that I have been associated with in my thirty five years of Military and Law Enforcement experience that is not full of himself. Dave Spaulding can walk the walk and talk the talk!”
Tom Cook
Vermont State Game Warden
“Dave Spaulding is a genuine luminary in our Art and a good friend. He has advanced our Art as have few others and when he talks, I listen!”
John S Farnam
Defense Training International
“When it comes to firearm instruction Dave is top shelf. He not only has an incredible culmination of real-world experience but has the unique ability to burn through pop-tactics and present to students concepts that are crucial to their self-defense toolbox.”
Clint Lake
Buckeye Firearms Assoc., Training Coordinator
Right Defense, Chief Instructor
"I served as a sniper in the Marines. Pistol work is not and never was my great strength. Dave has a unique ability to turn a shooter's challenge into a success, no matter what skill they struggle with"
Lt. Robert Stebbins
Vermont Sheriff’s Deputy
USMC Scout-Sniper Instructor
MOS 8541
“I attended my first class with Dave in 2003 and I learned more about the combative application of the pistol in those three days than I had learned in years of Law Enforcement and Marine Corps Infantry training combined. I have taken formal instruction in firearms since childhood… from NRA instructors, the U.S. Marine Corps, three LE Academies and several big name private institutions. Dave Spaulding is a simply amazing instructor in the art and science of firearm use. I cannot recommend him enough to those wanting to learn, whether you are a seasoned shooter or a new comer, I can assure you will gain knowledge and insight from this “Jedi” of the gun.”
Dan Brady, former Marine, police officer, deputy sheriff and current DOD officer.
"I first became aware of Dave Spaulding in the late 90's when I began reading his articles in various gun magazines. As an experienced Firearms Instructor, Lead Instructor at the Police Academy and member of a State Police Tactical Team, I was impressed with the obvious thought that he put into his articles, along with a very heavy dose of common sense. I took note of this writer and began to look forward to reading his articles, especially those on tactics and training. I began incorporating these techniques into our Academy's Firearms Training Program. Dave coined the phrase "Simple Is Good", which I feel is extremely important in firearms training.
In the early 2000's, Dave came to New England and put on a pistol class that I was fortunate enough to attend. I found Dave to be an outstanding Instructor with great communication and demonstration skills. His ability to talk and walk you through a technique is second to none. He breaks down techniques to their most simple and efficient level, thus eliminating any unnecessary movement. Over the years I have attended many of Dave's firearms courses and lectures and have always come away with something to add to my "FirearmsTrainingTool Box".
Dave never rests in his life long quest to further develop his knowledge and skills in firearms training. He continues to attend firearms training courses as a student, gleans information gained from these classes and shares this information with his students and counterparts in the firearms training community. "Sometimes the Instructor, always the Student" is a phrase that I feel best describes Dave.
Since that initial meeting, Dave has become a personal friend of mine and over the years we have had many conversations about firearms training and techniques. I highly value these give and take conversations as they are always enlightening. I have seen Dave continue to evolve as an Instructor, change his views and techniques when he finds something better, and not get bogged down into the mindset of "This is the only way", that some instructors have. I highly recommend to any civilian, law enforcement officer, member of the military or agency to attend a class instructed by Dave. You will not be disappointed."
Michael J. Sisino
Vermont Sheriff's Lieutenant [Ret.]
"Dave Spaulding has been a student of conflict and combative situations his entire working career and you will benefit from his experience. With Dave every situation is a learning opportunity. He does not have “one size fits all” solutions because that is not the real world.
Time spent with Dave will raise your situational awareness and teach you what to pay attention to and how to avoid conflict. His classes will also teach you how to manage your firearms in a variety of situations. His training will help you develop solid skills applicable in the real world."
Ken Jorgensen
Director of Media Relations
Shooting Sports Coordinator
Ruger
" When you finish one of Dave's training sessions, you walk away with great confidence in your skills, and confidence is key to being successful at anything, especially an armed conflict. I personally have learned a complete mindset about how to survive an armed attacker, although Dave would say: " we don't want to survive, we want to prevail!" Dave quite simply has taken a mountain of tactical drills, techniques, and opinions and chiseled them down to a masterpiece of necessary skills and mind set. If I prevail in an armed conflict, it will be from what I have learned from Dave in his classes. You can take what Dave says for Gospel, he has spent his life figuring out what works and what doesn't ."
John Hebb
Armed Citizen
Thanks!
"I just wanted to thank you for your classes held at the Miamisburg Sportsman's club in 2012. All of the club members who attended have expressed nothing but great comments about the training and the way that you presented the material and assisted the students in understanding the needs of personal protection today. Many of the female students had told me they initially had concerns about training in a mixed class of men and women but after the classes, all stated that it was a great class and that they would be delighted to attend another class with you. Considering that we had a range of students from beginner to those with many years of training with other "name" instructors, we are very pleased with the courses and have decided to host additional courses for 2013.Once again, thank you for your efforts in making these training events a stellar success."
Jack Justice
President
Miamisburg Sportsman's Club