Wish I could rate higher, but trainer/owner professionalism trumps course experience…read more Let's start with the positive: I'm a professional trainer and instructional designer by trade. I'm also a former Marine Corps Military Police Officer. While I could geek out on the training, there's no need. If you choose Metro Defense Training, you will accomplish the learning objectives and have the basic foundation set (for future practice and training). The training itself was fine. I thought the information was presented well. They used good, illustrative examples and anecdotal situations to correlate the learning objectives. The learning environment was fine. It was basic classroom. They did provide doughnuts and coffee/water/juice which was a nice touch. With that said, please remember this is a foundation for further training and skills practice. And as a foundation, it succeeds. Don't expect any any intro course to provide of the knowledge and skills necessary for a strong personal defense plan (handgun weapons oriented). The Veteran's discount is appreciated. They offer a better discount than other local defense training organizations. Kudos. Now the constructive criticism: I found to Michael to be unprofessional. I thought the range location was too far away. Details: Micheal was dressed like a slob. As a fellow trainer, I can't imagine showing up for my trainees in jeans (falling down) and a ratty t-shirt. I'm not saying you should have a shirt and tie for this, but some pants that fit and a shirt with a collar seem like a minimum. Also, early in the class, Micheal used the tails of his t-shirt to clean his glasses (in front of the class, while lecturing). This exposed his large belly hanging over his belt. It was unappealing and, in my opinion, unprofessional. Get a glasses cloth(!), or at least do this when you are not standing in front of the class. I've got a belly too, but I don't hang it out in front of students in a classroom! Michael had a very dry sense of humor. It was often difficult to tell when he was joking, and he made a lot of jokes. If you are going to use humor (a good idea) to engage, make sure the learners can differentiate a joke from the course content. At the first break, someone asked where the range was. Micheal's response was, "Monticello." And then (as a joke?) he added something like, "it's about a 3 hour drive". Again, most people know it's not 3 hours to Monticello, but I was wondering if the range was really in Monticello. Monticello is over 30 miles away from their classroom (Brooklyn Center). I know there are closer ranges. Bill's has a range just a few miles down the road. On the break, I saw Michael outside and asked him, "Is the range really in Monticello?" to clarify (joke or not). Mike: "Yes." Me: "OK. I was wondering because there are much closer ranges). Mike: "Are you one of the Vets?" Me: "Yes." Mike: "So, you have me in here on a Sunday for your training, I'm not making any money on you, and you're complaining?" WHAT?!!! I told him I wasn't complaining... asking a question because I know there are much closer ranges. I walked away... Then I walked back told Micheal that I thought it was unprofessional to offer a Veterans discount, make a statement at the beginning of class thanking Vets for their service, etc. -- then throw the discount in the Vet's face like a slap. I'm also a disabled veteran. I've paid a high physical and emotional cost for my service to this country. Who is he to make a comment like this? In short, we got into an argument, but not shouting. Mike got defensive. I asserted that it wasn't professional to offer a service/discount for vets and then throw a guilt trip about "not making any money of you..." Mike then pulls me to the hall and tells me that he wants me to "grab my stuff" and leave. All this because I called you on your unprofessional comment? Grow up! I explain that I'm not interested in leaving. I've paid for the class. I'm here on a Sunday. I just don't want to hear comments like that. It's a suggestion. Now he tries to tell me he doesn't feel safe going to the range with me. What? Total BS. We are in the hall. I ask him to just let it go... take the suggestion... don't get defensive... let's get back to class and a walk to the classroom. I even offered a handshake as a peace offering... he refused. As I turn and walk back to class, he says, "I'm going to be sad when you don't get your completion certificate." I ignore him. As if he can hold back my cert and claim I didn't meet the class requirements because he doesn't like me. I finished the class and qualified on the range. When I was leaving, I said goodbye and "thank you" to both trainers. Michael asks me, "Did you get your certificate?" Save it, Michael. I'd have more respect if you would have just talked to me and apologized. Don't act like you care now.

Selecting Metro Defense from the many available choices for my Minnesota CCW class turned out to be…read morea good decision. I had a number of questions before deciding to enroll, and when I emailed them, the owner/instructors were very responsive and made sure I understood the information they provided, as they would throughout the entire course. The classroom portion of the course was taught in a conference room setting in a nice office building, and instruction was a combination of Powerpoint, video, lecture/discussion and instructional props. The pace of the course was fast because there was a lot of material to cover, but it was never so fast that you couldn't ask questions, get clarification if you needed it, or where an average person would feel overwhelmed. The instructors actively engaged the students by quizzing them on the material and inviting comments. Despite its fast pace, the course is comprehensive and covers everything from selection of guns, ammunition, holsters and other accessories to gun handling, gun safety, the legal aspects of concealed carry, and the psychology of highly stressful self-defense situations. A lot of the material is very sobering, and you come away from the course with a strong appreciation for what a serious thing it is to carry a gun, and god forbid, have to use it in a self-defense situation. It is not a "Rambo" atmosphere at all, in fact if anything, you're taught to do everything possible to avoid putting yourself into situations where you would even need a gun, never mind actually have to use one. I appreciated that the instructors, Michael and Jason, were regular, down-to-earth guys, and not bad-asses, posers, or wanna-be cop types. Both were very knowledgeable, personable, had a good sense of humor, and did their best to make a course about a serious subject a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. There was nothing intimidating about them or the course, and even a person who has never owned, fired, or even held a gun before (and we had quite a number of students in that category) will feel very comfortable taking their class. The students were a mix of people from all walks of life: young and old, male and female, and from military veterans and others who had a lot of experience with firearms, to people who had never even held a gun. The practical portion of the course is held at a shooting range that's about 15 minutes away from where the classroom portion of the course is taught. Both practice (laser) and actual firearms are used in the course. You can bring your own gun, ammunition, and safety accessories, or rent or buy everything from them for a modest fee. Safety is paramount, and all training and live fire exercises are conducted under the direct supervision of an instructor (1 student/1 instructor). The class was a great experience for me, and I highly recommend Metro Defense to anyone who is looking to get their CCW permit.