What is the Able Shepherd program?

Able Shepherd™ is the standard-setting, nationally-recognized progressive tactical training program in Denver, Colorado, designed to teach situational awareness, leadership, first aid and protective tactics that can be applied to virtually any threatened environment. We operate from the belief that your family’s immediate safety cannot be delegated; you can be the fastest and most capable ‘first responder’ in your immediate vicinity.

At its core, Able Shepherd™ is an elite-level self-defense program utilizing armed and unarmed tactics. Graduates become known as “Able Shepherds,” gaining skills that empower themselves to actively protect, guide and strengthen their communities. Our goal is to make you, and those around you, safer. We do this by holding you to the highest of moral, ethical and tactical standards.

9

Honor

Show Respect; Be nobly worthy of respect.

9

Integrity

Steadfastly adhere to a strict moral or ethical code.

9

Accountability

Start with yourself, and grow outward.

“Able Shepherd is a progressive training program designed to empower members to protect, guide and strengthen their communities. The motto is “Take Care of One Another”. Some of the best parts of the SEAL Teams that I greatly miss (brotherhood, camaraderie, accountability…), I have found again with my buddies here at home in the Able Shepherd Program.”

Jimmy Graham, Founder/CEO, veteran US Navy SEAL

What is Reality Based Training?

In this video, Able Shepherd CEO and Founder Jimmy Graham explains the importance of real-life scenario-based live-action training. Using our advanced shoothouse, Simunition rounds and trained roleplayers, our reality-based training program is as real as it gets!

What is a Dynamic Live Range?

Jimmy Graham, CEO and Founder of the Able Shepherd program, shares why the ability to move, or go ‘dynamic’ within a range is paramount to proper training. Our team of Dynamic Range Safety Officers ensure that your training ‘downrange’ is upheld with the highest standards of safety and care.

Our Facilities

Our facilities include training classrooms, open training floors, simulation rooms, a live-fire multi-lane shooting range & a debriefing lounge. We also regularly utilize off-site venues to further enhance your response skills and capabilities.

Training Classroom

Our large training classroom is equipped with projector and sound giving us the ability to benefit from presentations, real-world video clips, and online references to aid our instruction and discussions.

Open Training Floor

Our large open training floor provides us with enough room to get on our feet and perform the drills necessary to learn skills in a manner that is fun and effective.

Designated Simulation Room

In our Simulation room we can specifically design realistic scenarios to validate the skills learned that day. Students will engage real people with non-lethal training rounds to demonstrate split second Shoot or No-Shoot responses.

Designated Live-Fire Multi-Lane Shooting Range

Our 6 lane, indoor, Live-Fire shooting range is equipped with programmable turning targets allowing us to train year-round, rain, snow or shine.

Debriefing Lounge

The Debriefing Lounge provides us with a location to unwind and discuss lessons learned after an “exciting” experience in a scenario. Any mistakes are respectfully addressed for future correction and successes are reinforced for retention. The only way we get better is to honestly evaluate our capabilities, strengths and weaknesses in training… and then improve them for ‘what if’ situations in the future.

Our Team

All of our instructors are Able Shepherd Certified, Dynamic Range Safety Officers, CPR/AED First Aid Certified, and are held to the highest standards of proficiency through regular testing and recertification.

Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham

Founder, CEO

Jimmy spent over 15 years in the US Navy SEAL Teams earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7). During that time, he earned certifications as a Sniper, Joint Tactical Air Controller, Range Safety Officer for Live Fire, Dynamic Movement and Master Training Specialist. He also served for 7 years as an Operator and Lead Instructor for an Elite Federal Government Protective Detail for High-Risk and Critical environments, to include; Kirkuk, Iraq, Kabul, Afghanistan, Beirut, Lebanon and Benghazi, Libya. During this time, he earned his certification for Federal Firearms Instructor, Simunition Scenario Qualified Instructor and Certified Skills Facilitator. Jimmy has trained law enforcement on the Federal, State, and Local levels as well as Fire Department, EMS and Dispatch personnel. He has traveled across the nation training communities in order to enhance their level of readiness in response to active shooter situations. Graham and his team of experts provide hands-on training in both armed and unarmed solutions to terrorist attacks, active shooter threats and potential life-threatening situations.

Parker Mansour

Parker Mansour

Advanced Lead Instructor, General Manager

Parker achieved Able Shepherd certification in 2017, and has been trained directly by Jimmy Graham, Veteran Navy Seal. Parker became a certified RSO (Range Safety Officer) late 2017 and became certified NRA Instructor shortly thereafter. Early in 2018 Parker was certified as a DRSO (Dynamic Range Safety Officer), and also achieved the rank of Instructor within the Able Shepherd Program.  In 2020 Parker achieved the rank of Lead Instructor.  August 2020 Parker was certified CPR(Adult, Child, Infant)/AED/ & First Aid instructor.  As a Lead Instructor, Parker provides hands-on training in both armed and unarmed solutions, active shooter response, family emergency readiness, and readiness for potential life-threatening situations.

Eric Wong

Eric Wong

Lead Instructor

Eric Wong has trained with Jimmy Graham since early in 2017. He was the 16th person to hold the title of Able Shepherd, and one of the first two to hold the Able Shepherd Green Patch. He has been a student and instructor in the combat arts for much of his life, having studied Kenpo, Aikido, Kali, Escrima, Muy Thai, Judo, and Gymkata (a joke for you Kurt Thomas fans). Eric was a competitive shooter for several years as well. He is also an avid scuba diver, and has traveled the world and dove in 17 different countries.

Todd Brock

Todd Brock

Instructor

Todd has been an avid outdoorsman since childhood. Spent six years serving his country in the US Navy where he got the opportunity to visit 26 countries. He was a member of his commands security team, has since become an NRA instructor, NRA Range Safety officer, SIM Certified instructor. CPR/AED certified as well as certified in Stop the Bleed. Todd joined the Able Shepherd program in 2019, and became an Able Shepherd instructor in 2021. Devoted husband to an amazing woman, proud father of two young men and always striving to grow and be a better leader for his community. 

David Erickson

David Erickson

Instructor

David started riding dirt bikes at age 4 and shooting at age 8. While growing up, he enjoyed reloading, shooting, fishing, and camping with his family. He joined the Navy straight out of high school and was an AT (Aviation Technician) on E2c Hawkeyes with squadron VAW-117. While on deployment he was able to obtain experience on multiple weapon platforms including M9, M4, M249, M240b, M60, MK14ebr, and M2. He also achieved expert pistol and expert rifle qualification. David recieved a Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Metal (NAM) for gaining unauthorized access into a locked air traffic control tower to turn on the runway lights during a dangerous low visabilty night while he was conducting receiving operations for a plane that was extremly low on fuel. He earned his Able Shepherd Tan patch in October of 2020 after he started phase 4 advanced training. He began instructing with Able Shepherd in late 2022. In David’s free time he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kristina of 15 years and his 4 children doing various activities including camping, hiking, paddleboarding and swimming.
Jeffry Spain

Jeffry Spain

Instructor

Jeff joined the Able Shepherd program in 2018 and is certified as Able Shepherd #100. He holds instructor certifications from the National Rifle Association in pistol, rifle, and concealed carry, and from the American Heart Association in Heartsaver CPR/AED/First Aid. He serves as an Able Shepherd Tactical Role Player in addition to his instruction duties. Jeff and his wife of 39 years Nancy are blessed to have all three of their children and their four grandchildren living nearby. He works remotely as an IT administrator for a school in his native Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a former MD anesthesiologist. Aside from AS and IT, Jeff is an avid alpine skier.
Neil Pinkham

Neil Pinkham

Strategic Advisor

When I attended the opening of the Active Shooter Response Training Center (ASRTC), I was instantly hooked; both to it and Jimmy Graham.  I achieved the Able Shepherd rating 14 months later.  I’m amazed that I was able to accomplish this, and I still hold the record for being the oldest to do it.  While I have always felt a great need to provide for and protect my loved ones, I never knew I could attain such skills to assist me in this endeavor.  After finishing a 38-year career as an executive in construction, it is my honor to be the COO of this program.

Melissa Papulias
Operations Manager

Kate Dalbey
Executive Assistant

Brian Karch
Media

Tyler Weinischke
Media

Geoff Heil
Roleplayer Coordinator

See how much fun we have in a year!
Watch our 2022 Year End Slideshow

Chris Waterman
Chris Waterman
2023-02-08
Best training! Don't delay, do it.
John Orefice
John Orefice
2022-10-15
Absolutely the best training offered to the general public.
Tom L.
Tom L.
2022-03-17
Best personal protection training program you will find. If you want to protect yourself, your family, and your community this is the place to learn, practice, and grow. Great people, great facility, and great training. Take the introductory POP (protect our people) class and you’ll understand.
Alex J Moore
Alex J Moore
2022-01-25
So glad to have found out about Able Shepherd from a good friend of mine. I took the POP (Protecting Our People) half day course and was amazed by the organization, professionalism, and breath of skills taught and practiced. I hope to be returning soon to continue my training.
Becky Griess
Becky Griess
2021-07-31
Can you truly say you would know what to do in a situation where you had to protect yourself, loved ones or even a stranger? A year and a half ago I would have flippantly said “Oh sure” but truly being afraid of my own shadow. After taking the POP Class and beginning my journey in the Able Shepherd program, I look back and see how naïve I truly was. I have gotten more out of life, live more confidently and feel more secure when I am with my child and by myself from the training and relationships that have been built in this program. When Jimmy, the Able Shepherd Staff and members say, “Come for the training, stay for the family”, every ounce of this is true. I encourage everyone to at least take the POP class. You can never go wrong with Able Shepherd’s training.
Chad Allen
Chad Allen
2021-07-31
The best training you can get anywhere! Trust me the training is great but the fellowship puts it over the top!!
Joe Davis
Joe Davis
2021-07-23
The Able Shepherd team has taken my training to a whole new level with respect to uniformity, safety and accuracy in a professional and respectful environment. If you want the best in firearms training look no further than Able Shepherd!
RIDDICK Erickson
RIDDICK Erickson
2021-07-23
Ive been through the Able Shepherd program and have been being trained by the instructor's for some time now. Never once have i left a class and not learned somthing new. It really is the most applicable training to civilian life iv ever seen. Including personal protection, self defence with all weapons types and family protection. It makes a fire arm a capability not just another untrained tool.
Chad Szpunar
Chad Szpunar
2021-07-23
The Able Shepherd training program is outstanding. The entire staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Not only do I feel the training received is unparalleled , but they also deliver it in such a way that creates a community based atmosphere to the program, which makes you feel as if you’re part of something special. I would highly recommend the Able Shepherd program to anyone who is looking to learn the importance and skills of protecting yourself, your family, and others around you.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Get the latest news and updates right to your email.

Leave us a Google Review HERE

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.