When most folks hear the title “NRA Certified Instructor,” they immediately think of someone who teaches an NRA shooting course in one discipline or another. They are correct, of course, but many NRA Instructors apply their firearm training knowledge and skills to other activities as well. Instructors can contribute their expertise and knowledge to a wide variety of safety and shooting programs—and be a vital asset to clubs, youth-service organizations and other groups.
Whether as a community service, for profit or both, there are many opportunities where your instructor talents can be put to additional use. A few examples:
- Youth-serving organizations such as Scouting America, 4-H and the Royal Rangers often have shooting programs already in place that may appreciate the help of a certified instructor. If a group does not have a program in place, a qualified instructor can help to get a program up and running.
- Help a local gun club that has a youth shooting program or help them start a new one. Many clubs simply need an instructor (or instructor team) with some organizational skills and a willingness to bring new shooters into the shooting community.
- Conduct the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program at your club or range. This program has courses-of-fire for all shooting disciplines and provides incentive awards to improve shooting skills and encourage more shooting. It is an honor-based self-paced skill development program that gives shooters a goal each time they go to the range. This is a program for all ages. For more information, visit mqp.nra.org.
- Help your club conduct an open house for the community by offering to teach an introductory shooting lesson. Invite the public for some free (or low cost) shooting and safety instruction. It’s great for community relations and for attracting new members. You’ll likely get some new students for your basic courses too.
- Conduct or assist as an instructor for an NRA Women on Target event. These one-day events are designed to introduce women to the shooting sports. For more information about the Women on Target program, visit wot.nra.org.
- Give a firearm safety talk at a local civic club. They are always looking for guest speakers. Your talk could save a life! You’ll have the opportunity to put safe shooting and responsible gun ownership in a favorable light. Doing a good job here may garner you some basic course students as well.
- Offer a training course at your local police or sheriff’s office for the spouses and children of new officers. Having a firearm in the home environment may be a new experience for families of new law enforcement officers, so learning the basics of firearm safety and responsibility will be a welcome lesson.
- Help a local club sponsor an NRA Day event. NRA Day events provide adults, youth, families, hunters, sportsmen, competitors—literally everyone—the opportunity to come together under a formal program to learn, experience, share and grow in appreciation of the shooting sports.
The event themes offered in the program are designed for discovery. They provide exposure to the many different activities available in shooting sports and offer participants the opportunity to explore them in a safe, controlled environment. The NRA Day is a family affair! Everyone can attend! For more information, visit nraday.nra.org.
- Become a Refuse to Be A Victim instructor and offer the seminars to local groups, churches, civic/community groups, high schools and colleges. The program teaches people personal safety tips and techniques to avoid dangerous situations and avoid becoming a victim. Visit rtbav.nra.org
- Consider becoming an NRA Coach. Coaches help train shooting athletes for competitive shooting. If you work with a club that has a shooting team, the training you receive through the NRA Coach School will be invaluable to the team’s success. Visit coach.nra.org.
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