The Safariland CADRE program represents the pinnacle of real-world experience and expertise in the firearms industry. Founded in 2021, CADRE members are selected from across the country for their unique skills, backgrounds in law enforcement and military service, and their commitment to advancing firearms training and safety.
Today we are introducing you to Rick Crawley because his level of excellence deserves your attention. Here is a brief look at his background, training philosophy, and methods. Be sure to check out the details below about his upcoming events and how you can connect with him.
Becoming an Instructor
Contrary to what many may have thought, Rick’s journey to becoming a master firearms instructor was not deeply rooted in his military and law enforcement experience. As a Marine scout sniper with three deployments and later in his career in law enforcement, he gained invaluable experience in high-pressure environments. While this experience fueled his initial interest in firearms instruction, however, it wasn’t what ultimately set him on his path forward.
After leaving the military, Rick transitioned to law enforcement, serving as a patrol officer and SWAT operator. It was during this time that he attended a firearms instructor school — a pivotal experience that would shape his future in training.
Rethinking Traditional Training Methods
That initial exposure to traditional firearms instruction left Rick frustrated. The outdated standards and slow-fire marksmanship drills seemed disconnected from real-world scenarios.
This dissatisfaction drove Rick to reexamine and relearn the fundamentals, developing teaching methods that emphasize performance under the demands of realistic conditions. His self-directed study led to the creation of a new approach that values process over outcome-based, slow-aimed fire methods.
Process-Focused Training
Rick Crawley’s training philosophy centers on the belief that success should be measured by objective, unbiased metrics rather than subjective standards or opinions. He advocates for a balanced approach that integrates theory and practice, with a strong emphasis on fundamentals that are applicable in real-world situations.
As Rick puts it, “We should never base our idea of success off of another person’s opinion or standard. It should be through unbiased metrics.”
He further explains that many of his students were taught slow-fire marksmanship, but he uses process-focused training in his classes. “I’ve been teaching others through drills and isolations of fundamental skills — how and why — outcomes and processes that can make students become more self-aware with a gun.”
Founding Achilles Heel Tactical
Rick’s commitment to improving firearms instruction led to the founding of Achilles Heel Tactical (AHT). AHT was born out of Rick’s recognition that traditional military and law enforcement training methods were flawed. He believed that a new approach, centered on process-focused training, was necessary.
Rick created a process-focused curriculum that encourages students to question everything and develop deep self-awareness with their firearms. He emphasizes understanding the reason behind every technique, by encouraging them to ask, “Why am I doing this and does it make sense?”
And for Rick, it’s the “A-ha!” moment that motivates him to keep teaching. He takes pride in teaching diverse groups, but he finds one particular group especially rewarding — law enforcement.
“I’m finally starting to see a lot of LE taking practical shooting seriously. When I can get one of those guys to realize that what they did for their country and community is great, but they need to set aside their pride and realize there’s just more to learn. They can look forward to further developing their craft and skill set — that’s the “A-Ha!” moment.”
Rhonda Stidham, Safariland’s Community Manager and leader of the CADRE and CORE programs, deeply respects Rick’s dedication to sharing knowledge. She says, “Having worked with Rick for many years, seeing how he and AHT have grown is exciting. Rick has pushed new boundaries with his training philosophy, giving his students solid drills to enhance their skills and pushing their comfort zones to new heights.”
Courses and Offerings
Achilles Heel Tactical offers a diverse range of courses tailored to various skill levels around the US and internationally, even reaching law enforcement agencies and civilians in NATO countries such as Switzerland and France.
Achilles Heel Tactical hands-on training events include:
- Baseline Pistol
- Baseline Carbine
- 2 Day Pistol Mastery
- Rifle & Performance Dynamics
- Performance Baseline Pistol
- Performance Baseline Carbine
- 2 Day Urban Operator
- NVG Baseline Operator
- Defensive Pistol
- CQB Foundations
- Baseline Trauma Medicine
- 2 Day Vehicle Tactics
- Fundamental Operator
In addition to in-person training, AHT offers video courses, online coaching, and strength training. The video courses give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and build a solid foundation before they hit the range. “I’m a huge advocate for people seeking instruction and developing their software before they waste money on hardware,” Rick said.
A Day in a Typical Class
A typical AHT class begins with Rick getting to know his students and understanding their goals. The class is heavily focused on fundamentals, with Rick sharing the techniques that have proven effective for him and his students. Throughout the day, students are encouraged to record their progress, ensuring they extract as much value as possible from the class.
Rick’s classes are designed to challenge students, incorporating rigorous tests like the DOPE drill (Data On Previous Engagement), and others. The DOPE drill specifically is a progressive diagnostic accountability drill that evaluates three key metrics of shooting performance.
Ultimately, Rick’s objective is to help students refine their skills and leave with a strong foundation they can take home and build upon in their own training environments.
Advice for Beginners
Rick strongly advocates for seeking professional instruction before investing in expensive hardware. He advises new shooters to focus on repetitions and exposure, much like advanced shooters.
Recoil management and proper grip techniques are critical, and Rick encourages beginners to start with a baseline curriculum that includes video courses and dry fire drills. By building a solid foundation from the start, new shooters can avoid common pitfalls and progress more quickly.
Ohio Range Day
Rick launched Ohio Range Day (ORD) in 2019, an exclusive three-day event for firearms enthusiasts, professionals, and industry leaders.
The event begins with registration and vendor day packed with product demos, shooting competitions, and the famous ORD Mag-Dump. Day 2 offers a mix of vendor time and day-and-night training, while Day 3 is fully dedicated to hands-on training with top-tier instructors.
The perks don’t stop there. Attendees have access to sponsor booths, live-fire bays, and exclusive merchandise, all while enjoying meals from four different caterers. Plus, the event is covered by professional media teams, ensuring you’ll have high-quality memories to take home.
According to Stidham, “With ORD (Ohio Range Day) and RX Range Days, Rick brought about a new style of community event with focused training on skill development — networking with other top instructors for a well-rounded training event with learning options for everyone. Firearm enthusiasts from all walks of life, including competition, everyday carry, LE, and MIL, all learn together.”
Learn More about Rick Crawley
If you’re ready to advance your skills with expert guidance, be sure to check out the upcoming classes and resources at Achilles Heel Tactical. Be sure to also check out future classes and their newly launched Arrow Concepts Training Center.
From in-person instruction, online courses, and specialized training, Rick Crawley provides options to fit every need.
