What Does it Mean to be an Able Shepherd?

Uniform
Everyone in the program, no matter your experience, receives the same exact training. Our instructors are trained to provide consistent delivery throughout to each and every member.

Safe
Safe firearm handling skills for individuals and teams, even while moving. Consistently display the ability to identify threats and non-threats prior to discharging your firearm.

Accurate
Possess the repeatable, documented ability to place rounds on the intended targets. Our program teaches time-proven tactics to ensure accurate and consistent delivery on the range.
How Does it Work?

Take the POP Course
This 4-hour class is the prerequisite to the entire Able Shepherd program. Learn the basics of self-defense and gain an insight to reality-based simulation training. Open to the public with no membership requirement or commitment.

Purchase a Membership
Once you’ve taken the POP class we promise you’ll be hooked and ready for more! Purchase a membership or sign up for individual classes as you go.
A membership gets you 2 classes per-month for the price of one!

Sign up for a Class
Now that you’ve completed the POP Course and purchased a membership, it’s time to dig in! To register for a class you must first log in to the calendar.
Take a look at our introductory Protecting Our People (P.O.P.) Course
Program Precursor
The first step is to sign up for the POP class to see what this program is all about. After completion, you’re now eligible to start a membership and advance through the phases.
Protect our People P.O.P (Mandatory)
Prerequisite class that builds the foundation for all following training.
Length: 4 hours
Price: $200
Course Description: This course is specifically designed for Men and Women with a desire to better protect themselves and those in their care. Whether at home, work, or on the street, those who make the honorable choice to protect others deserve the tools to be successful. This course is an introduction to the same training principles that have been validated and utilized by the US Navy SEAL Teams, Elite Federal Tactical Teams and Law Enforcement organizations across the nation. The foundation developed in this course will be the foundation on which future training may be built (unarmed, knife, pistol, rifle).
Objective 1: Student will demonstrate an appropriate posture for an offensive or defensive encounter.
Objective 2: Student will demonstrate the ability to defend their upper body vitals.
Objective 3: Student will demonstrate the ability to handle a pistol safely.
Objective 4: Student will demonstrate the ability to Load, Unload, Reload a pistol.
Objective 5: Student will demonstrate the ability to appropriately and effectively engage an adversary with a pistol.
What to Bring:
We will provide everything you need for this course.
Attire:
Good shoes or boots you are able to move freely in.
Good belt which will hold a holster.
Clothing you can move freely in.
Ready to Start? Sign up for the P.O.P Class today!
Cost: $200
Now being offered at 2 locations.
Weekdays at Able Shepherd Headquarters (7146 S Tucson Way, Centennial, CO)
Saturdays at Main Location (6649 S Paris Street, Centennial, CO)
*Registration window will open in a new tab.
* Private Groups by Request. Contact 720-775-5674 or email info@ableshepherd.com for more information
September
October
November
December
Women's ONLY
Program Phases
Once you’ve completed the POP course and started a membership, you’ll progress through Phases 1-3 with testing in between each phase. Completing all phases allows you to test for Able Shepherd status and proceed to Phase 4 for advanced training.
Phase One
PISTOL, STATIC
Course Description: Students will progress at their own pace through the A, B, C, and D classes (in no particular order) where they are presented with foundational pistol skills limited to basic movements. Students move on from Phase 1 by successfully completing the Phase 1 Test in order to progress to Phase 2.
Classes:
- 1A -Intro to Reality Based Training
- 1B- Immediate Action Drills (SIM)
- 1C – Basic Movements (Live)
- 1D – Concealed Draw (SIM/Live)
Done in any order.
Then…
Test:
“Sentry” Pistol Test
Phase Two
PISTOL, DYNAMIC
Course Description: Students will progress at their own pace through the A, B, C classes (in no particular order) where they are presented with progressive pistol skills followed by the ETA, ETB and ETC (Entry Training) with a pistol for instruction on tactical movements. Students move on from Phase 2 by successfully completing the Phase 2 Test in order to progress to Phase 3. (ETA, ETB and ETC can be taken in any order, and then the Phase Test can be taken)
Classes:
- 2A – Pistol Postures (SIM)
- 2B – Flashlight (SIM/Live)
- 2C – Stress/3 of 3 (Live)
Done in any order.
Then…
Entries:
PHASE II Pistol
Course Description: Student will progress at their own pace through ETA, ETB and ETC (Entry Training). Students will use pistol for Phase II. Instruction will be on tactical movements. Students move on from Phase 2 by successfully completing the Phase 2 Test after taking all three entry classes. (ETA, ETB and ETC can be taken in any order, and then Phase Test can be taken).
- ETA (Entry training A)(SIM Pistol)
- ETB (Entry Training B)(SIM Pistol)
- ETC (Entry Training C)(SIM Pistol)
Then…
Test:
“Protector” Pistol Test*
*Effective August 1st, 2021 we will require that individuals testing for Protector Certification-PHASE 2 be STOP THE BLEED Certified. Additionally, anyone already certified at the Protector level and beyond will need to be Stop the Bleed certified by August 1st 2021. This certification is good for 2(two) years at which time would need to be re-certified.
Phase Three
RIFLE and PISTOL, DYNAMIC
Course Description: Students will progress at their own pace through the A, B, C, D, and E classes (IN THAT ORDER) where they are presented with progressive rifle and pistol skills followed by the ETA, ETB and ETC (Entry Training) with rifle/pistol for instruction on tactical movements.
Classes:
- 3A – Intro to Shoot House (SIM)
- 3B- AR Postures (SIM)
- 3C – AR Setup & Sight In (Live)
- 3D- Intro to AR Stress (Live)
- 3E – AR Stress/AR 3 of 3 (Live)
Done in order.
Then…
Entries:
PHASE III Rifle
Course Description: Student will progress at their own pace through ETA, ETB and ETC (Entry Training). Students will use a Rifle for Phase III. Instruction will be on tactical movements. Students move on from Phase 3 by successfully completing the Phase 3 Test after taking all three entry classes. (ETA, ETB and ETC can be taken in any order, and then Phase Test can be taken). Upon Phase 3 certification students may take the Able Shepherd Test (AST), receive the ABLE SHEPHERD DESIGNATION and advance to Phase 4.
- ETA (Entry training A)(SIM AR)
- ETB (Entry Training B)(SIM AR)
- ETC (Entry Training C)(SIM AR)
Then…
Test:
Phase Three Test (Live)
Then…
Test:
Able Shepherd test (Live)
- THREE QUALIFYING ENTRIES (NO MAJOR INFRACTIONS)
- Pistol 3 of 3 = @ 10 ft
- Pistol Stress= 60’- 3 to body, 10’- 3 to body, 40’- 3 to body, 20’- 3 to head, 10’- two body/one head
- Rifle 3 of 3= @ 35 ft
- Rifle Stress= 60’-3 to head from prone, 60’-3 to head from kneeling, 45-3 to body standing from right shoulder 45’-3 to body standing from left shoulder, 21’-3 to body, transition to pistol, 3 to body standing
Skill Development
Drills are designed to refine the skills that have been presented within the Able Shepherd Program classes. Many of these drills classes can be taken throughout the program, whether you are preparing for a test or wanting to hone a specific skill.
Pistol Drills
Prerequisite: Phase One Test
Course Description: Students will be presented with drills that will refine the skills previously presented in Phase 2 to improve personal performance.
Objective 1: Student will demonstrate safety with firearms and recite 3 primary safety rules.
Objective 2: Student will demonstrate Uniformity in all phases of training.
Objective 3: Student will demonstrate Safety in all phases of training.
Objective 4: Student will demonstrate Accuracy in all phases of training.
What to Bring:
Electronic Ear Protection
Eye Protection
Please bring your own Pistol with 5 mags
Holster and dual mag pouch
200 Rounds of Pistol ammunition and 100 Rounds of Frangible (NO Steel Ammo)
Water bottle, fountains are available in training area
Attire:
Good shoes or boots you are able to move freely in
Good belt which will hold a holster
Clothing you can move freely in
Rifle Drills
Prerequisite: 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E
Course Description: Students will be presented with drills that will refine the skills previously presented in Phase Three to improve personal performance.
Objective 1: Student will demonstrate safety with firearms and recite 3 primary safety rules.
Objective 2: Student will demonstrate Uniformity in all phases of training.
Objective 3: Student will demonstrate Safety in all phases of training.
Objective 4: Student will demonstrate Accuracy in all phases of training.
What to Bring:
Electronic Ear Protection
Eye Protection
Please bring your own Pistol with 5 mags
Holster and dual mag pouch
Please bring your own Rifle with 9 mags and a way to carry them
200 Rounds of Rifle and Pistol ammunition and 100 Rounds of Frangible Pistol (NO Steel Ammo)
Water bottle, fountains are available in training area
Attire:
Good shoes or boots you are able to move freely in
Good belt which will hold a holster
Clothing you can move freely in
Entry Drills
Prerequisite: ETA, ETB, ETC either Pistol or Rifle
Course Description: In this class students will enter simmulation with a rifle or a pistol to practice tactical entries.
Include T360 concept, 1 person entry, 2 person entry into open door, 2 person exits and appropriate timing.
What to Bring:
50 Rounds of FX/Marking Simunition (Can be purchased at Centennial Gun Club)
Water bottle, fountains are available in training area
Holster or Gun Belt for Glock 19 or 17 (if owned)
Attire:
Good shoes or boots you are able to move freely in
Good belt which will hold a holster
Clothing you can move freely in
Protector Certified Multi Room Pistol Drills
This class will give students (Protector certified and above, and have taken 3A) the opportunity to refine and maintain previously learned multi room entry skills learned in 3A: Intro To Shoot House and all other previous courses. Drills will consist of clearing and safely moving through multiple connecting rooms while maintaining optimal 360° coverage and evaluating potential threats as they are encountered. This will be a high paced environment with both physical contact and Simunition fire validation.
Real world threats can come from any direction—your training should reflect that.
Stop the Bleed Certificate Course
Learn the basics of emergency bleeding control products and techniques. The course instructor will present products and applicable skills associated with the basic Able Shepherd emergency vehicle kit to include: Scene assessment, primary assessment, wound packing, and tourniquet placement.
- Effective August 1st, 2021 we will require that individuals testing for Protector Certification-PHASE 2 be Stop the Bleed certified.
- Additionally, anyone already certified at the Protector level and beyond will need to be Stop the Bleed certified by August 1st 2021.
- Stop the Bleed certifications are good for two (2) years, upon which time individuals will need to re-certify to stay current.
- You are not required to take our Stop the Bleed class, but if you choose to do so, you may use a monthly class credit for the course.
- This course is open to anyone and they do not need to be in the Able Shepherd program or have taken any prior classes from us.
- Dates/times for our Stop the Bleed classes are listed here: https://ableshepherd.com/new-classes/
- and on our class calendar: https://ableshepherd.sites.zenplanner.com/calendar.cfm
We feel that to “Take Care of One Another” emergency medical aid knowledge is a must.
Stop the Bleed classes are available to a member’s family at the discounted price of $100 instead of $175
If you have any questions pertaining to this Stop the Bleed requirement, please feel free to reach out to us.
Advanced Training
Once you complete Phases 1-3 and pass your Able Shepherd Test, you will now eligible for advanced training and special events in Phase 4.
Phase Four
RIFLE and PISTOL, ADVANCED
Prerequisite: Able Shepherd Only
Course Description: Students now designated as Able Shepherds are introduced to increasingly advanced tactics with both rifle and pistol. Additionally, team members will be asked to attend real-world events where discreet security with advanced capability is required.
Program Classes
View a PDF of our current class Phase Schedule
Testing Standards
View a PDF of the most current Testing Standards.
Ready for More? Purchase a Membership
You can pay for classes individually as you go, but a membership will get you 2 classes for the price of one!
Able Shepherd Monthly Subscription
$175 per month
2 Classes per month
This is a recurring subscription
Without a membership you will pay $175 for each class.
With a membership you get 2 classes/month for $175.
This membership is paid once a month on autopay.
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DISCLAIMER: Always obey all firearm safety rules when handling, shooting, cleaning, and storing firearms. Only practice live fire training at shooting ranges designed and appropriate for shooting live ammunition. The tips, opinions, techniques, and strategies on this website are for training purposes only. Only practice the techniques and strategies with trained and qualified professionals in an environment suitable for such training. Techniques and strategies on this website related to security protocols should be implemented by trained professionals in conjunction with a comprehensive security scheme. Techniques and strategies related to defending against active shooters and other violent encounters are constantly changing and evolving. Able Shepherd therefore does not guarantee any outcomes. The contents of this webpage and associated photos, video, graphics, or other materials may describe or reenact active shooter scenarios or other violent scenarios which may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.