Mike has become one of my favorite instructors to learn from, not only because of his deep knowledge, but because he's a genuinely nice guy who wants his students to succeed. As a SWAT cop and a guy who teaches on the side, I'm confident behind the gun, but I never leave Mike's class without learning something new. Mike has a direct and simple way of explaining the 'why' behind everything and because it's from him, you know it's right.

-Jason Tillberg (San Jose 2018/2019 Classes: Covert Carry, LE Carbine, Pistol)

There are few names as legendary or as well respected in the special operations community as Mike Pannone’s. The Recon Marine who became a Green Beret, and then became an operator in 1st SFOD-D. After losing an eye in the service of his country, rather than rest in retirement he was one of the first state department contractors in Iraq during the surge, in the early days of Triple Canopy. He also stood up the Federal Air Marshal firearms program, and saw yet more combat as an advisor fighting alongside his beloved Marine Corps. Not content to rest on his laurels, Mike has also become an accomplished action shooting competitor with carbine and pistol, and is ranked as a Master Class shooter by the US Practical Shooting Association.

I’ve trained with Mike in tactical and shooting courses, and brought him in to train my SWAT team before I retired. He combines a wealth of hard earned real world knowledge and experience with a passion for teaching and a drive to help his students learn. Every piece of information he conveys is based on practical experience not unproven theory, and every performance point is one he can demonstrate himself on demand. Even more importantly, he can show you how you can learn to do the same. The truly impressive part though, is that Mike doesn’t do this for his own gain. He does it because he honestly wants to help his students learn. He does it to give the benefits of his experience to others. If you care about developing your skill and knowledge, you need to put a priority on making it to one of his classes.

-Matthew Little, US Army Special Forces combat veteran, retired Chicago Police SWAT, and USPSA Master Class competitor

I started shooting about 12-13 years ago. I spent the last ten years as an instructor at a nationally recognized training facility that specializes in six levels of handgun classes, multiple TacRifle classes, and Active Shooter defense. In that time I’ve taken over 750 hours of instruction from instructors throughout the USA and provided more than 2500 hours of instruction to others near Cincinnati.

On October 27-28, 2016 I took Mike Pannone’s Covert Carry for Law Enforcement class in Hammond, Indiana. It was the most specific, hands on, detailed and demanding instruction that I have experienced to date. I tell those that I have instructed that in the training community there are great shooters, some (far from all) great teachers, and some (again far from all) that actually care whether the students actually learn and progress.

In my class Mike Pannone checks all those boxes and more. First, he is a true American patriot and hero. Second, he is a student of shooting physiology and an able instructor on those fine points. He is a great shooter and thoroughly instructs on his theories and methods. He cares that you learn. My class had 20 students of varying abilities. Each of us received the individual attention we needed to improve. Finally, he’s a heck of a guy. When, late on the second day I reinjured a compromised knee, Mike spent time with me to assure that I was physically and emotionally OK. Who does that? Mike Pannone.

When you get the opportunity take one of his classes. You won’t be disappointed. You’ll be inspired.

-Bill Posey

“What is there to say, one of the best human being/instructors you will ever meet in a lifetime. I clearly remember the first class I took with Mike. I drove from the Bay Area Ca, to Casa Grande, AZ, for the 2-Day Urban Vehicles Countermeasures course on March 2015. All I could say was, wow!!!   My 12 hours drive back was spent processing the quality of the training, and the enrich wealth of knowledge that I just got passed down to me in the last 2 days. I know right there & then that I will be back for more.

As a grown man, training & learning from someone that knows so much, that have done so much, a true master of his trade, and upon all remains as humble as fc##, is an experience that positively impacts your life as a person.  All I can say is, thank you, Brother Mike, for being you & for sharing those bits of knowledge earned in blood, sweat, and through perseverance.  

A common saying in firearms related training is, " you take what works for you from an Instructor & disregard what doesn't "  Mike's training is one of the very few where you will take all that you heard & learned.

 As my wife said after training with Mike, " Dang! Mike makes shooting feel so natural ."

      Urban Vehicles Countermeasures, Casa Grande AZ  03/2015

     2 day Carbine Course, Reno NV 04/2015

     2day Low  Light Pistol, Richmond CA 11/2015

     2 day Shooting on the Move  Chino Hills, CA 03/2016

     2 day Low Light Pistol, Richmond CA 03/ 2017.

     2 day Covert Carry, Richmond CA 08/2016, etc                                                                                                                                                                  

 F. Shadrxxx