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Paladin Protector Program
A Structured Path to Self-Defense Mastery

Most firearms training stops at the basics. Paladin Protector goes further — a five-level, 160-hour program that takes you from the fundamentals to expert-level skills. You will be guided through the program by highly-experienced former law enforcement instructors who are intent on seeing you reach your goals.​

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​We've developed the Paladin "Bingo Card" and "Skills Scorecard" for you to track your progress. ​ To complete each level, you must

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1) Complete the designated coursework as designated on the "Bingo Card", and

2) Pass the skills test for that level.  

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Download the Bingo Card and Get Started→

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Download the Skills Scorecard to Track Your Progress→

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Important: ​There's no requirement to complete all the courses in one level before taking courses in a higher level. As long as you meet the proper prerequisites for any course, you are allowed to enroll in it. For most students, the progress through the coursework will resemble a "bingo card" rather than a linear progression. However, to obtain a certification each level must be completed in order (1 to 5).  For example, you may have completed all coursework for Level 2, but you will not be tested for Level 2 until you have graduated Level 1.

 

For a Level 5 achievement, you will receive a Paladin Protector plaque. Awards for Levels 1-4 include a certificate with the Protector level designation. ​

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Meet the Protector Grads →

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Barry instructing a student
VCAT class photo

LEVEL 1: Foundational Knowledge

 

 Training Summary:

  • Firearm safety rules and range procedure

  • Legal considerations for self-defense, carry, and transportation

  • Choosing the correct gear and ammunition for Everyday Carry (EDC)

  • Introduction to the Protector mindset

  • Shot placement considerations

  • Weapon manipulation: loading/unloading, clearance of stoppages, and reloads

  • Marksmanship: acceptable accuracy at typical CCW distances

  • Managing recoil and use of cadence to increase speed of follow-up shots

  • Efficient draw to deliver consistent shots on target 

  • Skill Demonstration: Draw and fire at a target with multiple rounds in a reasonable time period. 

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Coursework (Complete16 of 160 hours):

  1. CCW Foundations or Premium Renewal (8 hours)

  2. Basic Pistol (8 hours)

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*A Paladin Shield BSIS Firearm Permit class (16 hours) or active duty LE satisfies the 16-hour Level 1 coursework. Skill tests are still required. 

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Skills:

  1. Two Second Draw: At 7 yards, draw and fire one round into "0"-zone in 2 seconds.

  2. Failure Drill: At 7 yards, draw and fire 2 to the body "0"-zone and one to the head "0"-zone in 4 seconds.

  3. Bill Drill 1:  At 7 yards, draw and fire 6 rounds in 5 seconds  with Original IDPA Scoring. 

 

LEVEL 2: Perform Under Pressure

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Training Summary:​​

  • Situational awareness, threat recognition & pre-assault indicators

  • Decision-making under pressure in controlled scenarios

  • Legal defensibility of actions & post-incident priorities

  • Enhance performance with the pistol with demand of higher accountability

  • Addressing multiple targets and shooting on the move

  • Safe and efficient draw from concealment

  • "Keep Fighting" mindset when injured; single-handed shooting, reloads, and clearance of stoppages

  • Tactical medical essentials: tourniquets, pressure dressing, chest seal, packing, airway, assessment

  • Skill Demonstration: Developing accuracy while under the clock, keep in the fight with single-hand shooting, and basic tactical medical assessment and interventions

 

​Coursework (Complete 40 of 160 hours):

  1. Completion of Level 1 coursework and

  2. CCW Concepts (8 hours)

  3. Intermediate Pistol (8 hours)

  4. Keep Fighting! (4 hours)

  5. Concealed Carry Applications 1 (4 hours)

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Skills:

  1. Bill Drill 2: At 7 yards, draw and fire 6 rounds in 4 seconds with IDPA Original Scoring.

  2. B-8 Accuracy: At 10 yards, draw and fire 10 rounds in 10 to whole head of IDPA/USPSA target. Pass is 8 hits or greater out of 10. 

  3. Keep Fighting Drill: At 5 yards, draw and fire 5 rounds with one hand with off-body clearance of one Type-1 stoppage. Maximum time is 8 seconds (Original IDPA Scoring). 

  4. Tac Med Skills: TQ, pressure dressing, and chest seal application; wound packing, airway management, assessment (tested at CCW Concepts)

 

LEVEL 3: Multi-Platform Defense

 

Training Summary:​

  • Broad weapons competency: add carbine and shotgun platforms while continue to develop higher-level pistol skills

  • Home defense strategies to deal with a violent invasion; moving through interior spaces alone and with a partner

  • Refinement of the concealed draw and shooting from unconventional positions

  • Close quarter engagements: thumb-pectoral index, verbal de-escalation, managing distance, and protection against strikes at close range

  • Optimize performance with pistol mounted optics (optional)

  • Skill Demonstration: address multiple targets with a pistol; conduct reloads under pressure; blend speed and accuracy with a carbine; feed a shotgun to stay in the fight

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Coursework (Complete 80 of 160 hours):

  1. Completion of Level 2 coursework and

  2. Basic Carbine (8 hours)

  3. Advanced Pistol (8 hours)

  4. Interior Tactics/Home Defense (8 hours)

  5. Basic Shotgun (4 hours)

  6. Concealed Carry Applications 2 (4 hours)

  7. Close Quarters Pistol 1 (4 hours)

  8. Pistol Mounted Optic or two (2) Skill Builder classes (4 hours)

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Skills: 

  1. Bill Drill 3: At 7 yards, draw and fire 6 rounds in 3.5 seconds with Original IDPA Scoring. 

  2. El Presidente: At 10 yards, draw and fire 2 rounds into 3 targets, reload and fire 2 rounds into each target. Maximum time is 15 seconds with Original IDPA Scoring.

  3. Carbine Half/Half: Score 24/30 points or higher in "0"-zone.

  4. Shotgun Reload: At 7 yards, from low ready, shoot two rounds, combat reload 2 rounds, and shoot 2 rounds. Maximum time is 10 seconds. 

LEVEL 4: Vehicle and Specialized Tactics

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Training Summary:​

  • Carbine: addressing multiple targets and shooting while moving; demand speed and accuracy

  • Shotgun: shoot on the move; ammunition management

  • Vehicle tactics: counter close-range ambush with pistol; decision-making in chaotic environments

  • Low-light: equipment selection and flashlight holds

  • Close quarter engagements: creating distance during engagement; retention, recovery, disarms; fighting for positional advantage

  • Revolver: fundamentals to broaden weapon familiarization (optional)

  • Skill Demonstration: shooting on the move while addressing multiple threats with all three platforms 

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Coursework (Complete 120 of 160 hours):

  1. Completion of Level 3 coursework and

  2. Intermediate Carbine (8 hours)

  3. VCAT 1 (8 hours)

  4. VCAT 3 (8 hours)

  5. Intermediate Shotgun (4 hours)

  6. Low-Light Pistol 1 (4 hours)

  7. Close Quarters Pistol 2 (4 hours)

  8. Practical Revolver or two (2) Skill Builder classes (4 hours)

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Skills: ​​​

  1. MXAD+ Drill: At 10 yard line, draw and fire 6 rounds at target 5 yards away and then fire 2 rounds into a target at 10 yards. Reload as you move 5 yards to the right and repeat on second set of targets. Maximum time is 14 seconds with Original IDPA Scoring.

  2. Triple Threat: At 5 yards, draw and fire 3 rounds two-handed, 3 rounds strong hand only, and 3 rounds support hand only. Maximum time is 7 seconds with Original IDPA Scoring. 

  3. Carbine 1-4 Drill: At 7 yards, from a hunt position, fire one round into Target 1, two rounds into Target 2, three rounds into Target 3, and four rounds into Target 2. Maximum time is 4 seconds with Original IDPA Scoring.  

  4. Shotgun Exchange: At 15 yards, start with 2 rounds of buck in magazine tube and 1 round of buck in the chamber. On command, exchange buck for slug, shoot 1 round at Target 1; move to 10 yard line, shoot 2 rounds of buckshot at Target 2; combat reload 1 and shoot 1 at Target 3. Slug in A-zone, all other in C-zone in 15 seconds.

 

LEVEL 5​​: Capability When It Counts

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Training Summary:

  • Carbine: close quarters battle and mid-range engagement (100-250 yards)

  • Shotgun: Reloading on the move against multiple threats

  • Vehicle tactics: counter long-range ambush with carbine; keep in the fight while injured

  • Low-light: task evaluation, clearing structures in low light; Flashfight system

  • Close quarters:  more options for gaining positional advantage in the clinch

  • Skill Demonstration: Rate IDPA Expert in CC Division; accuracy at 25 yards with pistol; dynamic engagements with carbine and shotgun

Coursework (Complete 160 of 160 hours):

  1. Completion of Level 4 coursework and

  2. Mid-Range Carbine (8 hours)

  3. VCAT 2 (8 hours)

  4. VCAT 4 (8 hours)

  5. Advanced Shotgun (4 hours)

  6. Low-Light Pistol 2 (4 hours)​

  7. Close Quarters Pistol 3 (4 hours)

  8. CQB Carbine (4 hours)

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Skills: ​​

  1. IDPA Classifier: Rate Expert classification in the Compact Carry Pistol Division (total of less than 24.98).

  2. B-8 Accuracy: At 25 yards, fire 10 rounds in 15 seconds to whole head of IDPA/USPSA target. Pass is 8 hits or greater out of 10. 

  3. Carbine: Modified CQB Warm Up Drill (stages 3-6 only). Minimum passing score is 85%.

  4. Shotgun on the Move: Load 2 rounds of buckshot. At the 10 yard line, fire 1 round into Target 1 (5 yards away); move to 5 yard line and fire 1 round into Target 2. Move to the right as you combat load, fire 1 round buckshot and fire into Target 3, then repeat on Target 4 and then repeat on Target 5. C-zone hits with a maximum time of 20 seconds. 

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**Paladin reserves the right to adjust curriculum and skill tests as needed to improve the program.  

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  1. All prior Paladin Tactical classes you've taken can be applied to the program, even if the course names have changed. For example, CCW 1 = CCW Foundations, CCW 2 = Advanced CCW Concepts = CCW Concepts, CCW 3 = Basic Pistol, CCW 4 = Home Defense, etc.

  2. Except for Level 1, you must complete all of the coursework prior to skill testing for that level.

  3. Skill testing opportunities:

    • Level 1: conducted at a Skill Builder class (upon request) or at a Basic Pistol (part of the class). All three drills must be passed on the same day.

    • Level 2: conducted at a Skill Builder class upon request

    • Level 3-5: conducted at specially scheduled Skill Builder classes (email us to request an opportunity to test)

  4. For any questions about at the Protector Program, email dan@paladin-tactical-us.com​

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