Training Schedule & 
REgistration

Find upcoming Dominion Defense firearms classes and Dominion Defense Academy cohorts all in one place. Browse available dates, choose the training that's right for you, and register online.

Dominion Defense Academy

18-Week Youth Leadership Program

Firearms Training Classes

Youth • Families • Women • Private Instruction

Dominion Defense Academy Cohorts

Select the Academy Cohort That Fits Your Schedule. Each cohort includes the complete 18-week Dominion Defense Academy, combining online instruction with scheduled in-person training events and qualification opportunities. Registration is open for all upcoming Academy Cohort Sessions. Students may enroll at any time while seats remain available. Each Academy Session has limited enrollment and will close when full or on the published registration closing date, whichever occurs first. Early registration is encouraged to secure your student's place.

Cohort 1

September 28, 2026 – February 28, 2027

Registration Closes
Friday, September 18, 2026

Program Begins
Monday, September 28, 2026

Academy Range Day I
Sunday, November 8, 2026 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Thanksgiving Break
November 23–29, 2026 - No Instruction

SAFER Skills & Qualification Day
Friday, December 11, 2026 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Winter Break
December 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027 - No Instruction

Academy Qualification Day & Graduation
Sunday, February 28, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Cohort 2

November 2, 2026 – March 27, 2027

Registration Closes
Friday, October 23, 2026

Program Begins
Monday, November 2, 2026

Thanksgiving Break
November 23–29, 2026 - No Instruction

Academy Range Day I
Saturday, December 19, 2026 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Winter Break
December 21, 2026 – January 3, 2027 - No Instruction

SAFER Skills & Qualification Day
Saturday, January 23, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Academy Qualification Day & Graduation
Saturday, March 27, 2027 *Subject to Change - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Cohort 3

January 4, 2027 – May 8, 2027

Registration Closes
Friday, December 18, 2026

Program Begins
Monday, January 4, 2027

Academy Range Day I
Friday, February 5, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

SAFER Skills & Qualification Day
Saturday, March 20, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Academy Qualification Day & Graduation
Saturday, May 8, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Cohort 4

February 8, 2027 – June 13, 2027

Registration Closes
Friday, January 29, 2027

Program Begins
Monday, February 8, 2027

Academy Range Day I
Friday, March 12, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

SAFER Skills & Qualification Day
Saturday, April 10, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Academy Qualification Day & Graduation
Sunday, June 13, 2027 - Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Dominion Defense Firearms Classes

Browse upcoming classes designed for youth, families, women, and beginning shooters. Select a class below to view available dates and register online.

Parent & Me Basic Pistol

Train together. Learn safe habits as a family.

A family-focused course where parents and youth train side-by-side to build safe firearm handling skills, shared responsibility, and confidence.

Focus Areas:

  • Firearm safety rules and range etiquette
  • Proper grip, stance, and sight alignment
  • Loading and unloading procedures
  • Safe communication on the range
  • Marksmanship fundamentals

Youth Basic Pistol

Build strong safety habits from the ground up.

An introductory course for young or first-time shooters focused on safe handling, structured learning, and confidence-building through supervised practice.

Focus Areas:

  • Universal firearm safety rules
  • Safe handling and range
  • procedures
  • Parts and function of a pistol
  • Loading and unloading fundamentals
  • Basic marksmanship

Returning Youth Pistol

Progress your skills with advanced fundamentals.

Designed for students who have completed a basic course and are ready to improve accuracy, reinforce safe handling, and build more advanced firearm skills.

Focus Areas:

  • Grip, stance, and trigger refinement
  • Accuracy and consistency development
  • Malfunction clearing fundamentals
  • Safe loading variations
    Introduction to field stripping

Women's Pistol Class

Learn at your pace in a supportive environment.

A confidence-building course designed specifically for women who want clear instruction, practical skills, and safe firearm handling fundamentals.

Focus Areas:

  • Firearm safety fundamentals
  • Grip, stance, and control
  • Loading and unloading procedures
  • Marksmanship basics
  • Situational awareness

Private Instruction

One-on-one training tailored to your goals.

Personalized instruction for individuals or families who want focused coaching at their own pace.

Focus Areas:

  • Safety fundamentals and confidence building
  • Marksmanship improvement
    Skill development tailored to your goals
  • Situational awareness and decision-making
  • Family or individual instruction

Stay Connected

New firearms classes and Academy cohorts are added throughout the year. Join our mailing list to receive early access to newly announced classes, Academy cohort enrollment notifications, schedule updates, new program announcements, and training tips and Dominion Defense news.