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some cool facts
Numbers speak for themselves
Don’t take our word for it. What do our students say?
Henry Calantog PHX, AZ
A good instructor can teach fundamentals….a great instructor can take those fundamental and teach the student how to make them habitual….after taking your class my last several range sessions have been directed and gratifying…I haven’t done a clean run of your precision Pistol target yet, but I get closer every time…thank you!!
Steven Drollinger Chandler, AZ
Great team of instructors! almost every one of them, took time to watch me, and either give encouragement, and or suggestions to improve. plenty of challenges, but they kept it fun!
Bob Lachniet Tempe, az
DCS is the training solution I’ve been looking for! Exceptional instructors and great course curriculum’s with Dave Laird at the helm.
David Laird Owner/ Director of Training
BIOGRAPHY- David Laird, was born in Texas and raised in Arizona.
David’s father introduced him to firearms at the young age of 6, which marked the beginning of his enthusiastic obsession with firearms.
Military service was part of the Laird family legacy so naturally; when David turned 18 he joined the U.S. Army. While in the Army he served with the 82nd Airborne Division as a heavy weapons squad leader in the Infantry. Upon leaving the Army David returned home to manage an auto repair facility for several years. Not wanting to miss out on any of the action, in 2007 David went back to Iraq as a civilian contractor to fulfill his patriotic duty.
Upon his return he transitioned back to the automotive industry working as a full-time heavy line technician and volunteering with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Operations Posse in his off time. He is an NRA Carry Guard Basic Instructor and has been an NRA Certified Counselor in: Pistol, HFS, PPITH, PPOTH, Advanced Pistol, refuse to be a victim, RSO, CRSO, Rifle, Shotgun and Metallic Cartridge reloading. He is a Certified ASP Instructor for Batons, Handcuffs and Flashlights. He is certified by the Arizona Department of Public Safety to train Armed Security Guards. He has worked with T.A.S.E.R. International to help develop their first ever, Civilian Certified Instructor Program using specifically the new PULSE model.
David Helped build a very successful training organization that managed 3 facilities and employed over 20 instructors teaching more than 30 classes per week, training over 5000 students per year for over 6 years before he left in early 2019 to start his own business.
Toni Gleeson
She’s bad!
Gary Hummel
We are proud to introduce Instructor Gary Hummel. He was born in Germany, the son of an Air Force fighter pilot. He was raised all over the United States during his school years.
His father being a career military officer, often spoke of the satisfaction he had being a part of the armed forces and encouraged his children to follow their dreams. As his grandparents owned a ranch, Gary had the opportunity to handle firearms at an early age.
Upon graduating high school, he found a proving ground for himself in the Marine Corps. After four years of USMC law enforcement and small arms instruction, he returned to civilian life but stayed active with his participation in the Army National Guard as a military policeman. His civilian life included time as nuclear security armed response member for a nuclear power plant. Later he found a career in law enforcement for the State of California. A natural avenue of security progression came for Gary when the world embraced computers, so he specialized in information security before completing his career with California.
His life time pursuit of firearms familiarization has resulted in several NRA certifications (pistol, rifle, PPIH, RSO, etc.) as well as a satisfying position involved in the world of firearms instruction in Arizona at Dynamic Combative Solutions LLC.
He remains active in this field with training from various firearms organizations as well as coordinating groups to attend training at firearm training locations.
Matt Misino Chief Firearms Instructor
We are proud to introduce Instructor Matt Misino. He is a retired LE veteran with 23 years of service in AZ. Matt spent 14 years as a patrol Sgt. and 18 years as an AZPOST certified firearms instructor teaching pistol, shotgun and patrol carbine fundamentals and advanced tactics. He is also a certified armorer for Glock Pistols and Colt 1911 pistols and AR15 rifles. Matt is an avid competitive shooter who spends at least 3 days a week on a range somewhere in AZ burning through roughly 900 to 1200 rounds a month preparing for on average 5-7 matches. Matt’s favorite pass time is casting his own bullets and loading his own ammunition for competition. In 2016 Matt and his wife shot over 24,000 rounds. Matt is a huge asset to us here and to you for his extensive experience with the LAW and comprehensive background in reloading and competitive shooting. Matt is known by professionals in the industry as a subject matter expert in many categories and we are truly blessed to have him.
Matt Ashmore
Matthew was born in a small town in upstate New York, where he spent his early childhood growing up on a rural farm just outside of Lyons. His love for being outside grew quickly along with the activities involved with it. His father having served in the US Army and retiring as a CW4 was very influential in his passion for shooting and by the age of 6 he was well on his way for a lifetime involvement in the industry. After graduating high school in Glendale, Az Matt enlisted in the US Army where he served in the Military Police Corps. Being deployed to the Persian Gulf straight from graduating MP School during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he was assigned in a forward operating MP company working closely at the tip of the spear during the invasion of Iraq. The experience gained during this time enabled him to fill crucial roles in the absence of senior enlisted during future deployments and overseas duty stations. Matthew’s love of shooting and the MP corps was a perfect fit, with their primary battlefield role, the need to be proficient on multiple weapon systems gave him the opportunity to qualify and train with everything from standard duty service pistol to belt fed crew served weapons such as the M2 Browning .50 cal Machine Gun. With the end of his enlistment Matt returned to Az with his wife and soon to be born son where he made the transition to civilian life. With firearms and the passion for shooting deeply rooted he started shooting local rifle and pistol matches. His desire to expand his knowledge and skills led him to many disciplines in the shooting sports. With that desire to keep learning and passing on his knowledge to others, he decided that the best way to accomplish this was to become a certified instructor with the NRA. In doing so, he found local range and joined the instructor training program and became a Certified Instructor within the organization teaching CCW, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Glock Maintenance, Long Range Precision Rifle and the AR Build Classes. When the opportunity with DCS presented itself Matt was quickly accepted onboard.
Tim "KASH" Kashino
Tim “Kash” Kashino is DCS’s resident expert with edged and impact tools. He is a certified ASP Tactical Weapons instructor and has taught Filipino martial arts for 29 years. Tim is also a 22-year Military Police veteran whose assignments included anti-terrorism/force protection,law and order operations, maritime security, executive protection details and tactical combatives trainer. Tim is also a certified Glock Armorer, certified Glock Pistol Instructor and a certified NRA instructor with endorsements for Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Home Firearms Safety, Personal Protection in the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home and Chief Range Safety Officer.
Despite numerous accolades and a broad base of knowledge, he insists that he is “just a guy that knows a few things.” In April of 2010, Grandmaster Vicente Sanchez of Marikina City, Philippines declared Tim the grand master of the Cadenilla Eskrima Group (an organization founded by Tim in 2006). Tim does not see this declaration as a crowning achievement or some kind of elevation in status. Rather, he sees it as an honor that he will spend the rest of his life earning.
Most recently, Tim has been selected for induction into the Modern Arnis Hall of Fame at a ceremony set for June of 2017 in Philadelphia.
Mike Garzas
Mike brings a passion for teaching personal defense and tactics to his students and presents it in a straight forward and easy to understand format. He is a lifelong student of the gun excelling in a variety of platforms but with a passion for long distance precision shooting. His interest in firearms came early in life, despite being in a household unfriendly to firearms, by way of summer camps that encouraged marksmanship skills development. These summer retreats allowed Mike to gain an appreciation for firearms and marksmanship that set-in motion a path to the military and law enforcement. With over 20 years spent involved with providing advanced technology and hardware in support of our national security, NAS and Department of Defense initiatives for tactical reconnaissance and battle damage assessment, Mike is able to explain highly complex tactics and learning concepts with an ease that most veteran instructors appreciate.
Mike has extensive training on many weapon systems from his years in the United States Navy and as a military contractor overseas and at home. He volunteered with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for about a decade where he spent his time on warrant team and as a General and Firearms Instructor/ Range Safety Officer, carrying multiple certifications to instruct for judgmental use of force, weapon inspector, defensive tactics, weapon retention, mechanical restraints, chemical agents and numerous other AZPOST courses for the office. Mike is also a certified Taser® instructor for both initial and rectification courses and maintains certifications from the National Rifle Association for Basic Pistol, Firearms Safety, and Range Safety Officer. Mike has conducted countless hours of training for active shooter and force on force training scenarios with handgun, shotgun, rifle, and Taser®. Mike is also both Arizona and Nationally certified as an EMT and can provide emergency range medical treatment if ever needed.
Dana Gallagher
Dana was born and raised in Alaska where he was exposed to firearms at a young age. After high school he moved to Arizona where he’s lived since. His true passion for firearms didn’t happen until after his first son was born. It was at this time that he decided he needed to seek quality firearms training to acquire the necessary knowledge skills and attitude necessary to defend not only himself but his family as well. From there his training began to expand to include other forms of self defense other than a firearm.
He is currently an NRA certified firearms instructor for Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Person Protection in The Home (PPITH), Personal Protection Outside the Home (PPOTH) as well as Metallic Cartridge Reloading. In addition to that he is also a certified baton instructor through ASP, a certified Glock Armorer and a civilian Taser instructor. Dana has spent a large amount of time investing in his own development to become the best he can. He’s been an instructor now for many years and in that time has developed a passion for helping others however he can with their training and self-defense needs.
Another favorite past time that’s developed is in the world of competitive shooting. He currently shoots an average of about 4-5 matches a month and holds classifications in both USPSA as well as Steel Challenge. When Dana isn’t shooting or training he spends most of his time reloading.
Dana’s primary focus is on teaching CCW as well as beginning to advanced pistol classes.
Clayton Wilcox
Clayton Wilcox was born and raised in Ohio.
Clayton was introduced to shooting by his stepfather initialing using a Daisy Red Ryder BB rifle in the backyard. He then progressed to a Marlin .22 rifle and a Henry Richardson 9 shot .22 revolver. His passion for shooting grew through his teenage years, to include his obtaining both of the Boy Scouts’ rifle and shotgun merit badges while at Summer Camp. He later returned to the camp and assisted with the programs during high school.
In the fall of 2002, Clayton completed the Ohio Police Academy and later began his career in Law Enforcement, serving his local communities. During his career in Law Enforcement, he furthered his passion for shooting and teaching by earning his General Instructor, Police Rifle Instructor, Taser Instructor, Oleoresin Capsicum Instructor, and various other instructor certifications.
The summer of 2007, Clayton moved to the Phoenix area and continued working as a Police Officer. During his tenure, he has worked as a Patrol Officer, Emergency Response Team member, Motor Officer and a K-9 Officer. He has continued his passion for shooting by earning various National Rifle Association of America (NRA) instructor certifications and law enforcement firearms instructor certifications.
Clayton continues to train officers and citizens in various disciplines; to enable the individual to prepare for, avoid, and/or defend their lives or the lives of their loved ones if faced with an aggressor looking to cause harm.
Clayton has the following instructor certifications:
- Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AzPOST) Pistol and Shotgun
- AzPOST Rifle
- Approved – Arizona Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Officer Safety Officer Act (LEOSA) Qualification
- NRA Basic Pistol
- NRA Basic Rifle
- NRA CCW
- NRA Range Safety Officer
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
- NRA Refuse to be a Victim
- NRA Metallic Cartridge Reloading
- ASP Baton, Flashlight, and Restraints
Terry "WOOKIE" Hoffman
Terry Hoffman has been involved with Self-Defense instruction professionally for over 30 years. Starting with grappling, shoot boxing, then working into bladed training and firearms. His desire to teach led him to NRA certifications in Pistol, Rifle, Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection in the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, as well as Range Safety Officer and Chief Range Safety Officer. He believes so strongly in empowering others to help defend themselves from any possible threat that he continued to seek out certifications in CPR/AED and is FEMA certified in Active Shooter Situations. Terry enjoys Competitive shooting and archery hunting in his off time with family and friends. After working with C2 Tactical as an instructor for several years, he worked hard to achieve the rank of Master Pistol Instructor. He has distinguished himself amongst his peers and seeking to always better himself, chose to start working with Dynamic Combative Solutions. This provided the opportunity to not only instruct students, but the ability to work closely with the best community of instructors in the state of Arizona. His passion for teaching and innate ability to empower students by removing their fear is priceless.
Craig Smith
Coming soon.
Steve Marley
Steve was born and raised in Indiana. When he was 8 years old his dad taught him to shoot on a Remington ‘Target-Master’ rifle that he still has and uses.
After Steve graduated from Trine University 1970, his engineering career moved him and his family from Indiana to Illinois, Delaware, Virginia, Kentucky, and, finally, to Arizona in 1997.
Steve became involved with the Boy Scouts of America shooting sports program in 2014 when his grandson’s Scout troop needed a merit badge counselor. Steve obtained NRA Pistol, Rifle, and Range Safety Officer certifications through the BSA Grand Canyon Council and continues to volunteer at various BSA events throughout the year. Steve is also current on his BSA Youth Protection Training certification.
Steve became an instructor with C2 Tactical’s training organization in 2016 and has been with DCS Training since it’s inception. In the interim, Steve has added NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Personal Protection Inside the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, and Refuse To Be A Victim ratings to his resume, along with ASP Baton, AED, and CPR certifications.
Steve enjoys teaching new shooters and seeing “the light come on” when they realize how easy, safe, and rewarding shooting can be with a basic understanding of the fundamentals.
This could be you
DCS requires extensive experience and background with training in self-defense and firearms. We require a proven track record of actual experience as well as volunteer time to observe your abilities with our students and our brand. For further details please contact us.