FAQ's

Q. I have been shooting for years. Why do I have to start with the Basic / Tactical Handgun 1 / Shotgun 1 / M4 Carbine 1 Course?

 

A. Many people who have been shooting for years either never had proper instruction or may have had the wrong kind of instruction. It is actually easier to teach someone from scratch than break old habits that prohibit a shooter from being really accurate. In our experience, the people who accelerate the fastest are the ones who come to us with an open mind and the willingness to learn new skills to become more accomplished shooters. Our basic class is our most important one. It is the class upon which you will build all your shooting skills and upon which you will advance the fastest. If you have already attended other firearms schools, you may qualify for an advanced course with us. You must contact Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy to have your training reviewed and vetted prior to taking the course.

 

Q. How is your training different from other schools?

 

A. The differences are, very simply, the quality of instruction, cost of classes, equipment we use, and teaching techniques we have developed over the years. We train everyone to draw from a holster in a specific manner. We teach the use of deadly force and how to survive in a shooting. While other schools might teach methodology, everything we teach has been field-tested and works in the "real world".

 

Q. How are your instructors different than at other schools?

 

 A. Our instructors are from Private Security, Military, Law Enforcement and PSD contractor community. The common thread among our staff is each instructor possesses the qualifications required by a nationally accepted or academic standard for certification as a General Firearms Instructor. All instructors for Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy in addition must take General Instructor Development and Firearms Instructor Development administered by Lead Master Instructor Tom Perroni. Each year we receive hundreds and hundreds of hours of instruction from outside trainers and schools. We have vowed to never become marred down by traditionalism or the status quo. Many of them have been instructors for well known schools. They are up to date on new weapon systems, trends in crime and tactics in non-permissive environments that may affect you, and will keep you informed on the latest shootings that have transpired. While many schools use instructors from small police departments who have had little or no experience in the use of deadly force, or civilian instructors who have attended some firearms schools, we use only very seasoned Instructors. Our instructors are not clones of one another who recite a lesson plan given to them, but each brings his or her own knowledge and experience to a class. You will get many different perspectives on training. Our advice to you is that before you attend any school, find out the credentials of the instructors.

 

Q. How come I've never heard of your school if you have such great instructors and courses?

 

A. While many schools have enormous budgets for marketing and advertising, they pass that expense on to you. Our students come to us by word of mouth and we are able to pass on that savings to you. Our one-day classes are only $150/$200 and most of our courses pack two days of training into one because we usually run several ranges at once. Our courses are highly dynamic and will challenge you.

 

Q. How do I know which class to take and where to start?

 

A. Go to our link marked "Courses & Training" on the home page. If the course is underlined it gives a course  syllabus. This will give you a guideline of what skills you will need to enter a specific level of training. You may also e-mail or call Commonwealth Criminal Justice Academy at any time to discuss specific training needs or questions.

 

Q. What is the closest airport to your facility and are there hotels and restaurants near by?

 

A. Dulles Airport is approximately 1.5 hours from our Academy and Stafford Airport is only a 20 minute drive. There are numerous hotels within walking distance of the training facility and also a great many restaurants and shops. We recommend staying at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House. If you go to our contact page, you will find a Goggle map and driving directions to our facility.

 

Q. How do I sign up for a course?

 

A. As the website is being redesigned please contact the following phone numbers or email address to sign up 540-322-3000 or 540-223-9007.  Email should be sent to: ccjatraining@gmail.com.

 

Q. What if I want to take a specific class but don't own the appropriate weapon?

 

A. We rent out every kind of firearm so you don't need to bring your own. Please let us know in advance if you will need a specific firearm.

 

Q. I work for a police agency and several of us want to take a class that we don't see listed on your schedule. Do you put on classes for private groups?

 

A. We do a great deal of private training, both for individuals and groups. If you want private training, we will be happy to set it up for you at your range or ours. Our instructors travel to locations around the world to put on courses. We will be very happy to set up private training based on your needs for law enforcement, military or civilian groups. Contact us for details.

 

Q. I will be flying in from out of town. Can I ship my gun to you before the class?

 

A. Firearms cannot be shipped to anyone except a gun dealer. You can, however, rent one from  us at a nominal fee but this should be arranged beforehand.

 

Q. What do I need to bring to a class and what should I wear?

 

A. Wear sensible clothing appropriate for a rustic outdoor setting, the same as you might wear hiking. For example, loose-fitting pants and a t-shirt that tucks into your slacks would be appropriate! Wear comfortable, sensible shoes and bring a jacket or sweatshirt. The weather  can change quickly on the range. If you are coming to a basic class, wear a sturdy leather belt at least 1 inch thick and bring a hat to keep the Brass out. Be sure to bring some kind of eye protection such as shooting glasses. No one is allowed on the range without eye and ear protection. If you are attending a basic or advanced level class, you should bring a hip holster, 3 spare magazines, the appropriate rounds, a magazine pouch, and a well-cleaned and oiled firearm.