Grant “Tommy” Dotson

Highly experienced and qualified firearms instructor with an emphasis on education and safety.

Experience

35+ years in the safe handling of firearms.

11 ½ years Navy veteran as a Fire Controllman Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) including Small Arms Marksmanship Coach onboard the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) and USS Wasp (LHD-1) and Mk 15 Close-in Weapon System technician for (5) weapon system mounts.

Served 4 years at the Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, IL as a Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor (SAMI) qualified as; Line Coach, Range Safety, Range Safety Officer, and Classroom Instructor covering marksmanship basics, safety, and the use of deadly force and use of force continuum.  In total I supervised and ensured the safety of 47,616 recruits in the Navy handgun qualification course, while firing 9,600,000 rounds of ammunition with ZERO safety mishaps while maintaining a 94% qualification rate.

Worked in Firearms retail at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) in Fort Campbell, KY for 10 months and enjoyed speaking with customers and finding the right firearm for them and providing one-on-one training at the local POF (Personally Owned Firearm) Range on Fort Campbell to go over their recent purchase(s). 

Formal Training and Certifications

• SONORAN DESERT INSTITUTE, Tempe, AZ Certification in Gunsmithing, 2022-2023 (3.99 GPA)

• AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY, Clarksville, TN B.S., Mechanical Engineering Technology, 2013-Dec 2016 (3.31 GPA)

• Certified Specialist in Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security, Great Lakes, IL, 2011

• Certified Master Training Specialist (MTS), Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL, 2009

• Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor School, Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex, Chesapeake, VA, 2008

• Journeyman Instructor Training, Naval Training Station, Dam Neck, VA, 2008

• .50 Caliber Machine Gun Operator School, Yokosuka Naval Station, Yokosuka, Japan, 2005

• Force Protection Fundamental Training (Room Entry and Clearing Tactics), Naval Training Station, Everett, WA, 2004

• MK 15 CIWS Operator and Technician School, Naval Training Station, San Diego, CA, 2002

• Fire Controllman “A” School (Weapon System Technician), Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, IL, 2001