Our Instructors
Learn from professionals
Victor Lopez/ Director of Training /
Victor Lopez has extensive experience as a military and law enforcement instructor, and he is a 20-year USMC Scout Sniper veteran. In the Marines, he had two combat deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he operated as a scout sniper team leader. In Afghanistan, he was an advisor to the Afghan National Army as a precision rifle instructor. He is also a Foreign Weapons Instructor and Combat Hunter Instructor (Tactical Tracking). Victor has also trained several southeast Asian allied militaries on sniper operations overseas in South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In 2009, he competed in the US Army International Sniper Competition, finishing 9th out of 31 of the top sniper teams worldwide. Toward the end of his 20-year career, Victor was the lead sniper instructor for the Partnership of the Americas in Florida. There, he trained and mentored snipers from four South American militaries: Columbia, Uruguay, Peru, and Ecuador. About Victor Lopez 121 In addition to his military career, Victor has been a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department since 1999. He has taken positions as an arrest and control instructor and a handgun, rifle, and shotgun instructor. Victor also completed the Marine Corps Scout Sniper basic course, Mountain Sniper school, Accuracy 1st Urban Sniper school, Israeli Counter Terror Sniper course, Sig Sauer Patrol Carbine Instructor course, Sig Sauer Designated Marksman course, Castle Rock Colorado Police Department Designated Marksman course, and FBI M4 Carbine Instructor Course. Victor is currently the director of training for Sierra Element Tactical Firearms Training in Los Angeles, CA. Victor, along with a crew of veterans, active duty military, and law enforcement officers, continues to strive for excellence.

Mark Aguilar/ Instructor /
Mark Aguilar recently retired after serving 30 years with the Los Angeles Police Department as a Detective. He retired out of the departments elite S.I.S. (Special investigation Section) one of law enforcements premier tactical surveillance unit. He was a primary instructor for Firearms, (handgun, rifle, pistol mounted optics, shotgun) Flashbangs, Less-Lethal Weapons, Surveillance, Vehicle Tactics, and Operational planning. His philosophy as an “eternal student “reflects his dedication to self-improvement. He has trained with numerous law enforcement agencies and Specialized units throughout the US. He specializes in covert tactics and carrying concealed. Mark spent 15 years in LAPD’s Metropolitan Division (Tactical Division), where he was an element member, team leader and armorer. Metro is where he first became a firearms instructor and was also a lead instructor in Immediate Action Rapid Deployment tactics, Hi-Risk search warrant service, crowd control and management tactics, and Dignitary Protection. Mark specializes in making custom hearing protection, Flashbang Earplugs.
Dwayne Haydel/ Instructor /
Dwayne is a combat veteran where he severed as a United States Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewmember during Operation Desert Storm. In addition to his military career Dwayne has been a Police Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department since 1997. He is a wealth of knowledge in regards to firearms instruction. He is a Los Angeles Police Department pistol, rifle, and Benelli shotgun instructor. He is also a certified Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, 1911 pistol armorer and NRA range master. Dwayne is a competitive shooter with several awards to his credit.
Ryan Finn/ Instructor /
Ryan is an accomplished marksman with combat experience as a United States Marine Reconnaissance Scout Sniper. During his deployments, he trained hundreds of foreign military and law enforcement officers in marksmanship and tactical operations. Additional to his duties as a sniper, he is a reconnaissance team medic and holds instructor status for the US Navy's Combat Life Saver course. Ryan is also a foreign weapons instructor and has extensive training in Visit, Board, Search and Seizure and maritime sniper operations.

Leo Maya/ Instructor /
Leo is a 17 year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. He is currently assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics unit. Leo is an arrest and control instructor with a background in Jujitsu and Muay Thai. In addition Leo has taught police firearms, tactics, and arrest and control both in the US and abroad.

Sammy Briggs/ Instructor /
Since 1999 Sammy has been a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. After nearly two decades of field experience working various assignments, he took up a position with the Firearms Training Unit. Sammy serves as a Primary Firearms Instructor teaching both recruits and in-service personnel. Sammy is a certified LAPD pistol and shotgun instructor and a competitive pistol shooter. In addition to his firearms experience, Sammy is a LAPD Arrest and Control Instructor with with several black belt rankings to his credit. After retiring as an amateur fighter, he received his instructor certificate in the art of Muay Thai through Pongsan Ekyotin.

Mandee Duyanen/ Instructor /
Mandee has been a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department since 2008 working various field assignments. Currently, she is a firearms instructor certified in Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol. She instructs both recruits and in-service law enforcement’ personnel. Mandee is also a competitive shooter for the Los Angeles Police Departments Women’s team and have won several awards in their shooting classification.