Become a Gun-RAT Certified Instructor

G-RAT instructors are trained and certified by Dr. Vecchi. Certification is earned in three levels, and each level adds responsibility. G-RAT Pistol Gunfighting is the base certification for every G-RAT instructor. Teaching the other G-RAT courses requires an instructor endorsement, which only G-RAT Full Instructors can earn.

Graduates of the G-RAT Pistol Gunfighting Course, with Dr. Vecchi’s approval. Instructor candidates sign a non-disclosure agreement and teach only from official RAT materials.

Apprentices complete the two-day Basic Instructor Course, which covers methods of instruction, teach-back skills, and the execution of drills to standard. They work on mastering their teaching and gunfighting skills and assist Dr. Vecchi in teaching, online and on the range: as drill coaches and line safety, and with weapons checks and zeroing. Apprentices assist in teaching only under Dr. Vecchi’s supervision, never on their own.

Journeymen pass a knowledge test and a skills test, including a teach-back on each assigned block. They teach under Dr. Vecchi’s supervision, with access to the presentation decks and drills for the blocks they are assigned, and they run range sessions and force-on-force drills.

Full Instructors demonstrate the ability to teach the entire course, complete all drills to standard, and pass knowledge, skills, and instructional methods tests. They have access to all presentation decks, drills, and the instructor manual. They teach the full course on their own, within their own agency, school, or organization, and keep the fees for the courses they teach. Certification lasts three years.

Advanced Pistol Gunfighting, Shotgun Gunfighting, Rifle Gunfighting, Vehicle / Enclosed Space Gunfighting, and Home Protection Gunfighting are open to any qualified student. Teaching them requires an instructor endorsement. To earn one, a G-RAT Full Instructor must successfully complete that course, have Dr. Vecchi’s approval, and pass a knowledge test, a skills test, and an instruction methods test for that course. Endorsements renew with the Full Instructor certification.

• Active G-RAT Instructor Support membership on the RAT Patreon at every instructor level

• Apprentice: Basic Instructor Course ($300)

• Journeyman: knowledge and skills tests, including teach-backs ($200)

• Full Instructor: knowledge, skills, and instruction methods tests ($300)

• Each instructor endorsement: knowledge, skills, and instruction methods tests ($300)

• Up to two years at each level before advancing

• Recertification every three years: knowledge, skills, and instruction methods tests, plus active Patreon membership ($300, covers all endorsements)