Hello, I’m Uncle Zo.

I’m a dedicated firearms enthusiast who bought my first gun in 2013 after moving to Texas, sparking a journey into concealed carry, competitive shooting, and firearms instruction. Since earning my Texas CHL (now LTC) in 2013, I’ve immersed myself in the world of guns and the outdoors, competing in USPSA, Steel Challenge, and IDPA since 2019, and honing my skills through extensive professional training. I became a certified instructor in 2022, earning credentials like Rangemaster Certified Master Instructor, Active Response Training Certified Extreme Close Quarters Gunfighting Instructor, KR Training Certified Force on Force Instructor, and Citizens Safety Academy Certified Gateway Instructor, and I’m committed to teaching armed self-defense and pistolcraft. I’m also a USPSA NROI Certified Range Officer (SCSA Endorsed) and hold classifications across multiple divisions in USPSA, Steel Challenge, and IDPA.

Currently, I serve as an assistant instructor at KR Training and offer independent firearms training, sharing my knowledge to help others navigate their own paths in shooting sports and self-defense. This blog is where I document my journey, from range sessions to certifications, while also featuring gun and gear reviews, exploring training and practice techniques, breaking down dry and live fire drills, and discussing self-defense, competition, and hunting topics. My goal is to inspire and inform fellow enthusiasts and armed self-defense practitioners.

Below is a detailed list of my certifications, training, memberships, and competitive classifications. I’m always learning, staying process-focused, and striving to grow in my pursuit of mastery.

Certifications

• Active Response Training Certified Extreme Close Quarters Gunfighting Instructor
• USPSA NROI Certified Range Officer (SCSA Endorsed)
• Rangemaster Certified Professional Pistolcraft Instructor
• Outrider Training Group Certified Pistol-Mounted Optics Instructor
• Citizens Safety Academy Certified Gateway Instructor
• KR Training Certified Force on Force Instructor
• Rangemaster Certified Master Instructor
• Rangemaster Certified Advanced Instructor
• Rangemaster Certified Instructor

Training

• No Fail Pistol (Press Check Consulting) [20 hours]
• Pistol Skill Development (Greybeard Actual) [16 hours]
• Pistol Shooting Solutions (Gabe White Training) [16 hours] – Light Pin Recipient Yet Again
• Extreme Close Quarter Gunfighting Instructor Development (Active Response Training) [16 hours]
• Defensive Pistol Skills Program (KR Training) [68 hours]
  • Top 10 Drills Yet Again (KR Training) [2 hours]
  • Advanced Handgun Again (KR Training) [6 hours]
  • Top 10 Drills Level 2 (KR Training) [2 hours]
  • Top 10 Drills Again (KR Training) [2 hours]
  • Advanced Training 2 Scenarios Again (KR Training) [5 hours]
  • Top 10 Drills (KR Training) [3 hours]
  • Beyond Basics Handgun Again (KR Training) [4 hours]
  • Skill Builder (KR Training) [2 hours]
  • Advanced Handgun (KR Training) [6 hours]
  • Beyond Basics Handgun (KR Training) [4 hours]
  • Defensive Pistol Skills 3 (KR Training) [6 hours]
  • Low Light Shooting 1 (KR Training) [3 hours]
  • Advanced Training 2 Scenarios (KR Training) [4 hours]
  • Personal Tactics Skills (KR Training) [3 hours]
  • Defensive Pistol Skills 2 (KR Training) [4 hours]
  • Defensive Pistol Skills 1 (KR Training) [4 hours]
  • Red Dot Pistol Essentials (KR Training) [8 hours]
• Pistol Shooting Solutions Yet Again (Gabe White Training) [16 hours] – Light Pin Recipient Again
• USPSA NROI Level One Seminar [16 hours]
• Firearms Instructor Training (Rangemaster Firearms Training Services) [88 hours]
  • Professional Pistolcraft Instructor Course [24 hours] – Pistol Master Award Recipient
  • Master Instructor Course [24 hours]
  • Advanced Instructor Course [16 hours]
  • Basic Instructor Development Course [24 hours]
• Practical Shooting Skills and Drills (Ben Stoeger) [16 hours]
• Cognitive Pistol with Tactical Anatomy (Two Pillars Training) [16 hours]
• Pistol-Mounted Optics Instructor (Outrider Training Group) [24 hours]
• Gateway Instructor Certification (Citizens Safety Academy) [16 hours]
• Force-on-Force Instructor (KR Training) [8 hours]
• Defensive Shotgun 1 (KR Training) [5 hours]
• Extreme Close Quarters Gunfighting (Active Response Training) [8 hours]
• Assistant Instructor Training (Citizens Safety Academy) [6 hours]
• Pistol Shooting Solutions Again (Gabe White Training) [16 hours] – Light Pin Recipient
• Practical Shooting Fundamentals (Ben Stoeger) [16 hours]
• Pistol Shooting Solutions (Gabe White Training) [16 hours]
• Combative Pistol (Rangemaster Firearms Training Services) [16 hours]
• Tac Pistol / Rifle (Carry the Day Texas) [8 hours]
• Intermediate Pistol Training (Safety Measures) [4 hours]
• Introduction to Handgun (Safety Measures) [4 hours]
• Texas CHL Class (Central Texas Gun Works) [8 hours]

Total training time: 443 hours

Memberships

• United States Practical Shooting Association (Life Member)
• Steel Challenge Shooting Association (Life Member)
• International Defensive Pistol Association
• American Suppressor Association
• Texas State Rifle Association
• Firearms Policy Coalition
• Gun Owners of America (Life Member)
• National Rifle Association (Life Member)

Classifications

• USPSA (NROI Certified Range Officer)
  • Carry Optics (CO) B Class
  • Limited Optics (LO) B Class
  • Open (OPN) C Class
  • Single Stack (SS) C Class
• Steel Challenge (NROI Certified and SCSA Endorsed Range Officer)
  • Carry Optics (CO) B Class
  • Rimfire Pistol Open (RFPO) B Class
  • Iron Sight Revolver (ISR) C Class
  • Optical Sight Revolver (OSR) C Class
• IDPA
  • Carry Optics (CO) Sharpshooter
  • Custom Carry Pistol (CCP) Marksman
  • Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP) Marksman
  • Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP) Marksman
  • Stock Service Pistol (SSP) Marksman
  • Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) Novice