Advanced Performance Shooting

About Advanced Performance Shooting

First and foremost we are lifelong students and intend to never stop learning!  We believe deep in our souls that your training should be with the most "advanced" instructors you can find, the subject of protecting yourself and others is not a "beginner" subject. To that end we have attended thousands of hours of training over the last 30 years and write our own curriculum to help ensure it is the most current and relevant training possible. We will never take the "cookie cutter" approach with information and instruction technique that you could get from attending a 3-day instructor course yourself.

What does it take to be a “Firearms Instructor”? That’s a pretty tough question to answer. A “professional instructor” is built over time, they aren’t born. A “professional instructor” never stops learning and remains a constant student. A “professional instructor” has earned that title over many years of training and teaching.  A "professional instructor" is also a leader, setting the example in performance standards based in reality with training that is recent, relevent and realistic.  

Certainly, great instructors have many varying backgrounds. Some sadly are motivated by a quest for fame and fortune. Others are motivated by an extreme desire to share knowledge. Especially in the field of firearms instruction a diverse and intensive background should be the norm; even moreover when we are talking about Concealed Carry Permit instruction and the defensive use of firearms.

With over 30 years of combined experience in military service, instructional roles, and private business, Jim Shanahan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the security and firearms training industry. Jim spent 21 years in the United States Army, where he held various key positions, including serving as a Light Infantry Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer for the Directorate of Common Leader Training and Senior Enlisted Advisor Fordham University Military Science program. Following military service, Jim transitioned to civilian roles, including 3 years as a contracted instructor for the Army and 9 years as a Department of the Army Civilian where he held various key positions, including serving as a Military Police Special Response Team Instructor and Protective Services Instructor in the Advanced Law Enforcement Training Division.

 

In 1998, Jim founded his own business, which became a full-time endeavor in 2015. With a focus on high-quality firearms training and tactical instruction, where he has earned numerous certifications and accolades in the field. These certifications include being a Rangemaster Professional Pistolcraft and "Master" Instructor, as well as a Modern Samurai Project Red Dot Sight Instructor. Jim is also a certified instructor in various advanced active shooter response, church security, and counter-terrorism programs.

 

Among his many qualifications, Jim is certified in specialized disciplines, including explosive entry, counter-terrorism, and advanced pistol and rifle techniques. Jim has trained under renowned experts such as Tom Givens, Mike Seeklander, Scott Jedlinski, and Ron Avery, and continues to refine his skills in pursuit of excellence. Jim's commitment to education and instruction is also reflected in his development of university-level course material for the US Army School of Cadet Command and advanced firearms programs at Strategos International.

Jim Shanahan-

Class Instructors

Certifications

Rangemaster Professional Pistolcraft Certified Instructor
Rangemaster Certified "Master" Instructor
Strategos/Peacekeepers "Master" Instructor Certified
Modern Samurai Project Red Dot Sight (RDS) Instructor Certified (Scott Jedlinski/Hunter Freeland)
Refuse to be a Victim Certified Instructor
Peacekeepers/Strategos Armed Church Security Team Member Instructor Certified
Green Ops LE Pistol Red Dot Sight Instructor Certified
Rangemaster Protective Pistolcraft Certified Firearms Instructor (Tom Givens)
Rangemaster Certified Advanced Firearms Instructor (Tom Givens)
Citizens Safety Academy (Tiffany Johnson and Aqil Qadar) Certified USCCA Instructor
Rangemaster Certified Basic Firearms Instructor (Tom Givens)
US Army Drill Sergeant School
US Army School of Cadet Command (University/College Course Material Development)
US Army Maneuver Support Center Qualified Firearms Instructor
NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
US Army Conventional Physical Security
US Army Sniper School
US Army HAZMAT Material Handler Certified
US Army “ASAT” Automated Systems Approach to Training Certified (Training Development)
PADI Master Diver Certified
US Army Quantitative Skills for Trainers (Training Development)
US Army Systems Approach to Training Certified (Training Development)
US Army Basic/Advanced and Platform Instructor Certified
Training and Doctrine Command Us Army “Master Instructor”
US Army Military Police Special Response Team Instructor (Phase 1 and Phase 2)
US Army Advanced Law Enforcement Training Division Instructor Certified
TEES Demolition Handlers and Explosive Entry Certified
TEES Advanced Explosive Entry Certified (Texas Law Enforcement Training Academy)
US Army Staff College Foundations Course Graduate
US Army ALETD Special Reaction Team Explosive Breaching Instructor
FEMA Independent Study Course ICS for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents
US Army ALETD Active Shooter Patrol Response Instructor Certified
USCCA Certified Countering The Mass Shooter Instructor
DARC Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism Level 1 and Level 2 Certified
US ARMY ALETD Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Certified
US Shooting Academy Advanced Rifle Graduate (Mike Seeklander)
USCCA Women's Handgun and Self Defense Certified Instructor
Handgun Combatives Advanced Combative Pistol Graduate (Dave Spaulding)
US Army Military Police School Anti-Terrorism Officer Course Graduate
Tactical Performance Center “Handgun Combat Master Course” Graduate (Ron Avery)
USCCA Emergency First Aid Certified
The Bigger Circle-Advanced Shooting Mechanics Graduate (Mike Seeklander/Rob Leatham)
Light Infantry School (Fort Benning, Georgia
Infantry Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course
NRA Life Member
USPSA Lifemember
Firearms Training Association Member
American Warrior Society Coined Member
Central Ozarks Practical Shooters Life Member
Member/Affiliate US LawShield
USPSA “GrandMaster” Limited
IDPA "Master" Carry Optics

Policies

Cancellation Policy

Students are required to cancel at least 4 weeks in advance of a class date in order to receive a full credit for registration in a future class. Classes cancelled less than 4 weeks before the class will not be credited.  We will do all that we can to help find suitable makeup dates, but because we keep very strictly limited our class size, we don't refund tuitions.

Reschedule Policy

If for some reason your plans change and you can't attend a class, let us know at least 4 weeks in advance (we can make some exceptions for emergencies) and we will credit your tuition towards registration in a future class.  All classes are filled first come first served and we limit class sizes very strictly.  

Refund Policy

We don't offer a refund of the tuition unless we had to cancel a class.  Our first choice will always be to find a suitable makeup date, but we will refund tuitions in full if we cancel the training event.  

Other Policy

We don't allow "substitutions" for class slots without prior approval.  If you can't attend and can't make use of a registration in a future class but have a subsitute in mind please contact us to make arrangements.
Still photographs and video will be taken in each class and used expressly to promote training.  

Waiver

The individual named below (referred to as "I" or "me") desires to participate in __
("Activity" or “Activities”) provided by the FTA member (the "Member"). As lawful consideration for being permitted
by the Member to participate in the Activity, and the intangible value that I will gain by participating in the Activity, I
agree to all the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement (this "Agreement").
I AM AWARE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE ACTIVITIES ARE DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES AND INVOLVE
THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY INJURIES THAT I
SUSTAIN MAY BE COMPOUNDED BY NEGLIGENT EMERGENCY RESPONSE OR RESCUE OPERATIONS OF THE MEMBER. I
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER
INVOLVED AND HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT AND ASSUME ANY AND ALL RISKS OF INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY
DAMAGE, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE MEMBER OR OTHERWISE. Initial:
I hereby expressly waive and release any and all claims, now known or hereafter known in any
jurisdiction throughout the world, against the Member, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, members,
successors, and assigns (collectively, "Releasees"), on account of injury, death, or property damage arising out of or
attributable to my participation in the Activities, whether arising out of the negligence of the Member or any Releasees
or otherwise. I covenant not to make or bring any such claim against the Member or any other Releasee, and forever
release and discharge the Member and all other Releasees from liability under such claims.
I shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Member and all other Releasees against any and all
losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines,
costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorney fees, that are incurred by the indemnified party
arising out of or related to any third-party claim alleging any bodily injury to or death of any person, or damage to
real or tangible personal property caused by my negligence or other more culpable act or omission (including any
reckless or willful misconduct) in connection with my participation in the Activities.
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be
determined by final and binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its
Commercial Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures ("Commercial Rules"). There shall be one arbitrator agreed
to by the parties within twenty (20) days of receipt by respondent of the request for arbitration, or in default thereof
appointed by the AAA in accordance with its Commercial Rules. The award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final,
non-reviewable, and non-appealable and binding on the parties and may be entered and enforced in any court having
jurisdiction. The place of arbitration shall be Los Angeles, California. Except as may be required by law, neither a party
nor the arbitrator may disclose the existence, content, or results of any arbitration without the prior written consent of
both parties, unless to protect or pursue a legal right. The arbitrator will have no authority to award punitive damages
or consequential damages.
I IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BYAPPLICABLE
LAW, ANY RIGHT I MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION, PROCEEDING, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR
COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES. I CERTIFY AND
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I MAKE THIS WAIVER KNOWINGLY ANDVOLUNTARILY. Initial:
This Agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the Member and me with respect to the
subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements,
representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. If any term or provision of
this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall
not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision
in any other jurisdiction. This Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Member and me and their
respective successors and assigns.
BY SIGNING, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS
AGREEMENT AND THAT I AM VOLUNTARILY GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE
RIGHT TO SUE THE MEMBER.
Signed:                                                                                                Printed Name:
Address:                                                                                               Date:

Reviews

Videos

• Moving Combined with Shooting, Let's get it right!

  All of our training and classes are very detailed oriented. We did this video about "shooting and movement" and it serves as a sample of how we approach teaching and learning.

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