No Other Choice Instructor Development Program

Evolve Red Dot Instructor Certification

When: Saturday November 14th – Sunday November 15th from 9am till 5pm both days Where: Prime Protection STL (first half of day one) 12507 Natural Bridge Rd Bridgeton, MO 63044 Where: Zulu Shooters Land (second half of day one and all of day two) What’s Needed: Reliable OR firearm w/mounted red dot, extra batteries for the dot, backup system with red dot mounted (will be loaners on site), 3 double stacked or 6 single stacked magazines, 800 rounds of reliable ammunition, reliable holster (IWB, AIWB, or OWB accepted). Please no rimfire firearms. Notebook, pen, portable tool kit (if you have one) and open mind.

Lead Instructor: Kevin “KD” Dixie

The Evolve Red Dot Instructor Certification is a comprehensive two-day instructor development course within the No Other Choice Instructor Development Program. This program is designed for professional firearms instructors who want to elevate both their understanding of pistol-mounted optics and their ability to effectively teach students how to maximize their performance with a red dot-equipped handgun.

This is more than a shooting course.

It is an instructor development program focused on building knowledgeable educators who can confidently explain the why behind modern optics, diagnose shooter performance, and deliver meaningful coaching that produces measurable improvement.

Today’s firearms instructor is expected to do more than demonstrate proficiency—they must communicate complex concepts in a way students can understand and apply. This certification prepares instructors to do exactly that.

Throughout this program, candidates will develop a comprehensive understanding of:

• The science behind pistol-mounted red dot optics
• Optic design, lens technology, emitters, and coatings
• Proper optic selection, mounting, and maintenance
• Zeroing procedures and confirming optic performance
• Dot color selection and brightness management
• Vision science and how different visual conditions affect optic performance
• Identifying and correcting common shooter errors
• Utilizing the optic as both a performance enhancement and diagnostic coaching tool
• Building effective lesson plans surrounding red dot employment
• Coaching methods that improve student confidence and long-term success

Every block of instruction combines classroom education with practical application, allowing instructor candidates to immediately reinforce concepts through live-fire exercises and coaching opportunities.

Day One

Performance Assessment & Technical Foundation

The course begins with a baseline instructor qualification designed to establish each candidate’s current performance level. This assessment allows our instructional staff to identify opportunities for refinement while establishing measurable benchmarks before the final certification evaluation.

Classroom Instruction

Candidates will explore the technology and science that make modern pistol-mounted optics one of the most significant advancements in defensive handgun shooting.

Topics include:

• Evolution of the pistol-mounted red dot
• Understanding emitter systems and optic design
• Lens coatings and their influence on shooter performance
• Window size considerations and practical application
• Selecting the appropriate optic for mission requirements
• Proper mounting procedures and torque specifications
• Zeroing methods and confirmation standards
• Dot brightness management
• Dot color selection and environmental considerations
• Common equipment failures and preventative practices
• Visual processing, target focus, and overcoming common vision challenges
• Identifying and reducing visual distractions (“visual noise”)

Range Application

After establishing the technical foundation, candidates will transition to live-fire instruction where classroom concepts are reinforced through practical application.

Training includes:

• Building an efficient visual process
• Developing a consistent presentation to the optic
• Grip mechanics and their relationship to dot stability
• Recoil management and maintaining visual awareness
• Tracking the dot through the recoil cycle
• Using the optic as a diagnostic tool for shooter performance
• Instructor coaching methods for identifying and correcting deficiencies
• Progressive drills focused on consistency, accountability, and performance

Day Two

Instructor Development & Certification

Day Two emphasizes coaching, communication, and instructional leadership.

Candidates will participate in instructor teach-back presentations designed to demonstrate both technical understanding and effective communication skills.

Under instructor supervision, candidates will coach fellow shooters through live-fire exercises while learning how to:

• Observe shooter performance
• Diagnose mechanical and visual errors
• Deliver concise corrective coaching
• Reinforce proper fundamentals
• Build shooter confidence without creating unnecessary complexity

Additional performance blocks include:

• Trigger control for precision and speed
• Diagnosing trigger-related issues
• Understanding the “floor” of the grip and its effect on recoil management
• Improving dot return through efficient grip application
• Timed drills that emphasize accountability under measurable standards

Final Certification Evaluation

Candidates will complete a comprehensive certification evaluation consisting of:

• Written knowledge assessment
• Instructor teach-back evaluation
• Live-fire coaching evaluation
• Final shooting qualification

Successful candidates will earn certification as a No Other Choice Evolve Red Dot Instructor, recognizing their ability to teach pistol-mounted optics through sound instructional methods, technical expertise, and demonstrated shooting performance.

This certification represents more than the ability to shoot well—it signifies the ability to educate, develop, and elevate others through professional instruction.

Who Should Attend

This certification is designed for:

• Professional firearms instructors
• Law enforcement firearms instructors
• Military firearms trainers
• Range staff and academy instructors
• Defensive handgun coaches
• Experienced shooters preparing to become instructors

Whether you teach new shooters or seasoned professionals, this course provides the knowledge, structure, and coaching methodology necessary to confidently integrate red dot instruction into your curriculum.

The mission of the No Other Choice Instructor Development Program is simple: Develop instructors who understand not only how to perform, but why performance happens—and who possess the ability to transfer that knowledge to others with clarity, professionalism, and purpose. Use the Gun Food for all your ammo needs and use code NOC556: thegunfood.com Get your discount on prescription and/or ballistic rated eye pro at tacticalrx.com and use code KD10 for savings. Refund Policy: There is NO REFUND for this course UNLESS No Other Choice cancels the class. Students may apply the class credit to an identical course; however, this may require the student to travel to a different location they planned to originally attend and those extra expenses are inherited by the student.