Welcome to Tip of the Spear (TOTS)
TOTS offers a variety of protection related services. In addition we are a fully certified firearms training academy. TOTS provides firearm training for new shooters, experienced shooters and protection professionals.
At TOTS our focus is on the individual. We work with you to provide a pathway to firearms competency.
Our courses include NRA Basic Pistol*,
Basic Shotgun, Basic Rifle and NRA CCW*.
For Maryland residents we offer Maryland (HQL) Handgun Qualification license, and Maryland Wear & Carry.
For protection professionals we offer the following DCJS Courses: Private Investigator, Personal Protection Specialist and Armed Security.
Tip of the Spear Classes & Courses
Courses for potential and new firearms owners
TOTS VA CCW Class
We recognize the growing need for Americans to protect themselves and we want to help. So we have developed a simple yet informative 2 hour Virginia Concealed Carry course that exceeds the requirements for applying to obtain your permit. In this course you will learn basic safety rules for handling a handgun, Use of force and Pistol fundamentals.
Cost $99.00 2 Hours
Non Live Fire (Live Fire can be added: Inquire within)
USCCA CCW & HD Class
Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals is a comprehensive course for anyone considering owning or carrying a firearm for self-defense. The course is a complete guide to understanding conflict avoidance and situational awareness; home security and home defense; handgun, shotgun and AR-15 basics; shooting fundamentals; the physiology of violent encounters; the legal aspects of using deadly force (including knowing what to do in the aftermath); and a complete guide on gear, gadgets, and ongoing training.
Cost $140.00 4 Hours
Non Live Fire (Live Fire can be added: Inquire within)
NRA CCW Class
The NRA CCW Course is for students who have completed the NRA Basic Pistol course or equivalent. This class teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to carry a concealed firearm for defensive personal protection. The course is approximately eight to nine hours. Topics covered are safety, basic defensive skills, drawing from concealment, malfunctions, proper mindset and much more. You are welcome to bring your unloaded firearm, NO AMMUNITION IS PERMITTED IN THE BUILDING, and a good strong side concealed holster, cover garment, and spare empty magazines, and two to three magazine holders. Students will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, Personal Protection in the Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules card, and the NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet. This course requires the student to complete an exam and to qualify at the range.
Cost $225.00 8 Hours includes Live Fire
NRA Basic Pistol
Join us for one of the most exciting and nationally growing courses, the NRA Basic Pistol. This course is a great way to get your "feet wet" in the wonderful world of pistol shooting. We cover a huge array of topics such as pistol maintenance, five fundamentals of pistol shooting, pistol storage, pistol safety and selection, just to name a few of our current courses. Each student will receive a ToTS cleaning mat to take home. Students will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules card, and the NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet. This course requires the student to complete an exam and to qualify at the range
Cost $160.00 8 Hours includes Live Fire
*Range fee is not included and must be paid in the classroom
NRA Basic Rifle
This course is approximately eight hours and includes classroom and range time. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling, rifle parts and operation, ammunition, shooting fundamentals, range rules, shooting from the bench rest, prone, sitting, standing and kneeling positions, cleaning, and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules card, and the NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet. This course requires the student to complete an exam and to qualify at the range
Cost $160.00 8 Hours includes Live Fire
*Range fee is not included and must be paid in the classroom
NRA Basic Shotgun
This course is approximately ten hours and includes classroom and range time. Students learn how to shoot at moving targets. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling, shotgun parts and operation, shell components, malfunctions, shooting fundamentals, range rules, shooting targets, cleaning, and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Shotgun Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules card, and the NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet. This course requires the student to complete an exam and to qualify at the range
Cost $160.00 10 Hours includes Live Fire
*Range fee is not included and must be paid in the classroom
DCJS O7R Basic Handgun
This course is approximately four hours and covers DCJS requirement to be able to carry while on duty as an Armed Security professional or anyone needing their armed endorsement. There is a mandatory course of fire that has to be passed at 70% or 225, as well as a written test.
Cost $125.00 8 Hours includes Live Fire
DCJS O9R Advanced Handgun
Under Construction
This class description and availability are under construction. Please keep checking back on a regular basis for updates.
DCJS O8R Shotgun
Under Construction
This class description and availability are under construction. Please keep checking back on a regular basis for updates.
DCJS O75E Armed Security Guard
Under Construction
This class description and availability are under construction. Please keep checking back on a regular basis for updates.
DCJS O2E Private Investigator
This course is approximately sixty hours and covers several topics. Topics to include are Orientation: applicable sections of the Code of Virginia, Administrative Code 6VAC 20-171, standards of professional conduct, and ethics. Law: basic law, legal procedures and due process, civil law, criminal law, evidence, and legal privacy requirements. General Investigative Skills, Tools and Techniques: surveillance, research, and interviewing. Documentation: report preparations, photography, audio recording, general communication, and courtroom testimony. Types of Investigations: accident, insurance, background, domestic, undercover, fraud and financial, missing persons and property, and criminal.
Cost $500.00 Non Live Fire
DCJS O32E Personal Protection Specialist
Under Construction
This class description and availability are under construction. Please keep checking back on a regular basis for updates.
Cost $600.00 Non Live Fire
Maryland HQL
The Maryland Handgun Qualification License Course will be taught by our Maryland State certified Instructors. The course is approximately four hours. Topics covered are Maryland state firearm law, home firearm safety, handgun mechanisms and operation, and an operation and handling demonstration. This course will require you to qualify at the range. After range qualification, the student will receive a course completion certificate within a week.
Cost $125.00 4 Hours Live Fire Included
NRA Range Safety Officer
The NRA Range Safety Officer Course is a hands on one-day classroom course*. This a NON-SHOOTING course. It will teach knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organize, conduct, and effectively supervise various types of shooting activities and range operation safety. This course is for ages 21 and over only. Students will receive the Range Safety Officer packet. This course requires the student to complete an exam. Students receive their course completion certificate within a week. *If you would like to use your new RSO skills, we offer an additional add on to this course. You will be assisting one of our Chief RSOs during a live student range qualification day. Please inquire for more information.
Cost $125.00 Non Live Fire
Tip of the Spear Tactical Pistol 1
This course teaches you how to make decisive and instantaneous decisions while under stress induced situations. The curriculum is developed for the student to learn how to deal with a threat in the real world, but in a safe training environment. Students will be asked to work through complex and constantly changing situations. During this course students will learn a method of engagement in which targets are acquired by their order of threat, otherwise known as "Target Order of Engagement". Low light situations will be introduced and each student will learn how to engage and eliminate targets while utilizing low light techniques. *Its is required that you complete a basic pistol, CCW, or advanced pistol course prior to taking this one.
Cost $250.00 5 hours Live Fire
Tip of the Spear
S.I.R.T Instruction
Would you like to learn how to safely and effectively use a pistol without the hassle and expense of going to the range? If you answered yes then come see us at Tip of the Spear Training Academy for your one to one personal pistol instruction using the Next Level Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger (S.I.R.T.) Simulation gun. This gun has zero recoil and makes no noise it emits a red laser that allows our instructors and the student to see where the shot is landing. While being in a safe training environment we will show you the 7 basic pistol fundamental and how to properly apply each and every one of them. You will shoot the S.I.R.T. on large paper targets set up at the Academy. During your training we will give you instantaneous performance feedback and recommend ways to improve. We will also show you safe ways of handling a handgun. it's ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Cost $40.00 per hour
Tip of the Spear
Apprentice Instructor/RSO Program
This program is designed for all our TOTS trained newly certified NRA instructors. After you have completed an NRA Instructor level course with us, we give you the opportunity to teach one our basic courses. You must be certified in the course that you would like to instruct. One of our certified instructors or counselors will be along to assist with your class. There will also be an opportunity for you to become a full time paid instructor depending on performance. This opportunity is for you to gain the experience necessary to become a competent instructor. Please note there is no compensation for this class, only gained experience from our highly qualified instructors.
Cost $ Free when completing any of the other TOTS offered classes. Must be signed off by a certified TOTS instructor.
Tip of the Spear Draw from the Holster
Under Construction
This class description and availability are under construction. Please keep checking back on a regular basis for updates.
Cost $100 3 Hour Live Fire
Tip of the Spear
Real Estate Agents Personal Protection Safety
Under Construction
This class description and availability are under construction. Please keep checking back on a regular basis for updates.
Multi-Day Course
Cost Day 1: $ 125.00
Cost Day2:$ 125.00
Cost Day 3:$150.00 plus range and ammo.
Tip of the Spear
Law Enforcement Safety Act (LEOSA)
Under Construction
This class description and availability are under construction. Please keep checking back on a regular basis for updates.
Cost $75.00
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TOTS World Class Instructors
William Alexander
Director of Training
Veteran of the US Army serving with 19th & 5th Special Forces Group (A). I was with 2 different administrations as member of the US Secret Service and preformed Diplomatic Protection for members of the Department of State . I have several instructor certifications which are listed below.
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor* NRA Basic Rifle Instructor* NRA Basic Shotgun Instructor* Maryland HQL & Wear/Carry Instructor* DC Metropolitan Special Police Firearm/OC/Baton Instructor*Department of Criminal Justice (DCJS) General Instructor* DCJS Firearms Instructor* DCJS Private Investigator Instructor*DCJS Armed/UnArmed Security Guard Instructor* USCCA CCW & Home Defense Instructor*Utah CCW Instructor
Nick Lead Instructor
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor*NRA Basic Rifle Instructor*
Maryland HQL Instructor
Joe Davis
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor* NRA Basic Rifle Instructor *NRA Basic Shotgun Instructor
NRA CCW Instructor*USCCA CCW & Home Defense Instructor
Drew
NRA Rifle Instructor * NRA Basic Pistol Instructor * NRA Basic Shotgun Instructor*USCCA CCW & Home Defense Instructor
Melvin Benjamin
NRA Shotgun Instructor *NRA Law Enforcement Instructor
Julian Paige
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor*NRA Shotgun Instructor*
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