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PALADIN PROTECTOR

Would you like a structured approach to meet your self-defense goals?

 

The Paladin Protector program is for those who wish to defend themselves, their families, and communities. This five-level system, encompassing a total of 160 hours of course work, recognizes commitment to education and skill development. You will be guided through the program by highly-experienced instructors who are intent on seeing you reach your goals.

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To complete a level, you must 1) complete the designated coursework from Paladin Tactical's 4-hour and 8-hour courses, and 2) pass a skills test for that level.  We've developed the Paladin "Bingo Card" and "Skills Scorecard" for you to print out and track your progress. 

 

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 an higher level course, you are allowed to enroll in it. For most students, the progress through the coursework will resemble a patchwork rather than a linear progression. However, achieving the levels must be completed in order (1 to 5).  For example, you may have completed all coursework and passed the skills test for Level 3, but will not be recognized as a Level 3 graduate until Level 1 and Level 2 have been completed. ​

 

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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LEVEL 1

 

Foundational Knowledge for Concealed Carry

 

 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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*Paladin's 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 A-zone in 2 seconds.

  2. Mozambique Drill: At 7 yards, draw and fire 2 to the body A-zone and one to the head (whole) in 4 seconds.

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

 

LEVEL 2

 

Optimize Pistol Performance and Decision-Making

 

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. Advanced 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. Maximum time is 4 seconds with IDPA Original Scoring.

  2. B-8 Accuracy: At 10 yards, draw and fire 10 rounds in 10 seconds with a 80% score. 

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

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

 

LEVEL 3

 

3-Platform Capability at Home

 

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 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 Skills (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. Maximum time is 3.5 seconds with IDPA Original 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 IDPA Original Scoring.

  3. Carbine Half/Half: Score 24/30 points or higher.

  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 Defense and Specialized Skillsets

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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 IDPA Original 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 IDPA Original 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 IDPA Original 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

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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 3 = Basic Pistol, 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 Basic Pistol or at a Skill Builder class upon request (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 for an opportunity to test)

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

Paladin Tactical U.S. - Paladin Shield
(707) 863-1064
dan@paladin-tactical-us.com
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