Learn the skills of effective shooting
We provide comprehensive group and private firearms instruction to anyone including those who are Deaf and hard of hearing!
About Us
Who are we?
We are a collective group of experienced firearms instructors in the Pacific North West with various backgrounds in Security, Military, and Law Enforcement. Although our backgrounds may vary, we all have one thing in common. We are all subject matter experts in the field of “Gunnerometry.” Each of our classes are taught by dedicated, passionate, and experienced S.A.M.T.U. Instructors. Using proven teaching strategies, we ensure every student finds a safe path to success in their personal journey in the firearms world.
Who is he?
Eric “Radar” Peña is the owner / C.E.O. of S.A.M.T.U. Firearms Education. He is an award winning certified military firearms instructor with over 15 years of experience (OUTSTANDING AIRMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD). His knowledge was gained as a Security Forces Combat Arms Instructor in the United States Air Force. This has given him opportunities to teach military personnel a variety of weapon platforms to include: various handguns, rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers, and light machine guns. His background in Security Forces EST (S.W.A.T.), Combat Arms, and civilian law enforcement has allowed him to obtain operational experience in high threat situations both overseas while deployed in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and stateside as a police officer. In addition to being a USAF certified Combat Arms Instructor, he is a California POST certified Rangemaster / Firearms Instructor, Glock certified pistol instructor, and an NRA certified firearms instructor. He is also fluent in American Sign Language which makes him one of the few ASL fluent firearm instructors. Eric’s passion for teaching and his love for his country still continues today. He is currently in the United States Air Force Reserves as a Combat Arms Instructor. In his off time Eric enjoys spending time with his family and attending various shooting schools to better his craft as a firearms instructor. He is married and has a son with an awesome name, Blade.
What is the S.A.M.T.U ?
During the Korean War, several incidents occurred which brought attention to the lack of adequate firearms training in the United States Air Force. These incidents revealed deficiencies in the way small arms training was perceived and carried out. To prevent past mistakes and needless deaths, Air Force leadership pursued a course that was to change the way weapons training was received by Air Force personnel. In 1958, twenty-five experienced USAF competitive shooters were selected to become the initial instructor cadre of small arms instructors the USAF Marksmanship Unit. In 1965, the United States Air Force Marksmanship Unit's name was formally changed to the Small Arms Marksmanship Training Unit (SAMTU). This change designated what weapons they were responsible to train. SAMTU Instructors are now known as Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM), or simply Combat Arms. CATM Instructors are USAF Security Forces (Military Police) personnel who train base populace on the use of small arms. They follow in the footsteps of the SAMTU Instructors before them because, “for ours is the profession of arms.” We train in peace, to prepare for war.
CERTIFICATIONS
FIREARM AFFILIATIONS
