Course Listing & Calendar - Project Trailblazer

On this page, you can find a calendar of upcoming classes (keep in mind that the calendar starts on Monday, so look closely at dates), and you can scroll down for a description of each class. All times are Mountain Time Zone (with DST during the summer).

Online meetings will be held via Zoom.
Link to meeting, address is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3107495187
Meeting ID: 310 749 5187
No password is needed, but you must be logged into Zoom. Please create a Zoom account with your real name before your first class.

In-person classes will be held at the location listed on the calendar (again, look carefully at the dates/days because the calendar starts on Monday)

Code of Conduct

Project Trailblazer classes are open to almost any interested learner, but we do have a few rules to make sure things go smoothly. People violating these rules may be ejected from any class, regardless of payment. By engaging in any class, you agree that you will follow these rules and agree to forfeit any payment made if you are ejected from a class for violating these rules.

No disruptive behavior, off-topic distractions, or anything else that keeps people from learning
No partisan politics, “culture war”, or other controversy that can distract other students from learning or make anyone feel unwelcome.
No cheating, hacking, or other misuse of resources, including artificial intelligence. Students are expected to complete courses in an ethical manner.
Information from these courses cannot be used for any illegal activities, violent extremism, or to support denial of rights to anyone. Any student an instructor suspects may be planning to conduct such activities may be ejected from a course.
Students must follow all safety rules, especially for in-person and range learning. These rules will be taught multiple times, and flagrant disregard for the rules will result in expulsion from the course.

Course Descriptions

Basic Safety and Personal Defense

New Mexico Concealed Carry Classroom Time (8 hours)

While this class is required for New Mexico carry permits, it’s still a great class for people in any state. Topics covered include:

Managing emergency situations
Situational awareness, self-calming, and preventing violent situations
Basics of Non-Violent Dispute Resolution (De-Escalation)
Firearms Safety
How Firearms Work
Fundamentals of pistol shooting
Firearms laws
Use of force laws
How to apply for the NM CCW permit

LGBT-Friendly Constitutional Carry & Arizona CCW (4-5 hours)

Live in a state that doesn’t require a permit to carry a concealed weapon? Looking for high-quality classroom training in a friendly and affirming environment? We’ve got you covered! In this Zoom class, we’ll cover:

Managing emergency situations
Situational awareness, self-calming, and preventing violent situations
Basics of Non-Violent Dispute Resolution (De-Escalation)
Firearms Safety
How Firearms Work
Fundamentals of pistol shooting and how to find good LGBT-friendly instructors for hands-on range training
Firearms laws
Use of force laws

This class meets the requirements for Arizona CCW permits, which are accepted in a number of other states. Students wishing to do this must complete a quiz after the class to receive a certificate. A link to the quiz will be provided at the end of the class.

This class is open to LGBT+ students, allies, and anyone else who can be respectful toward other students in the class who may be openly queer.

In-Person Firearms Classes

These classes are offered by Practical Tactical Training LLC for the same “pay what you want” pricing as Project Trailblazer courses. They are typically offered in Las Cruces, New Mexico, but can be offered elsewhere by special arrangement.

Hands-On Firearms Function and Non-Live Fire Marksmanship (4 hours)

This class gives you a hands-on experience in how firearms work, how to load and unload them, and how to safely handle them in a safe environment without ammunition. You’ll handle real firearms, plastic replicas (to practice safe handling), and a laser training pistol to see where your rounds are likely to strike later on the range.

Live-Fire Basic Marksmanship (Includes NM Concealed Carry Testing) (3 hours)

In this class, we head to the range and practice what we learned in the non-live fire handling course. Students who pass an initial test will then be tested for the New Mexico concealed handgun license. .45-caliber firearms will be available for people wishing to maximize what can be carried.

Required supplies and equipment:

100 rounds of ammunition for your pistol OR 100 rounds of .45 ACP if you need to use ours. (No SIG P320 pistols are allowed on the range)
Eye and ear protection (ear muffs and glasses)
Water, sun screen, snacks and lunch (we will have a microwave and fridge available if needed)
A folding chair is recommended

Intermediate Defensive Pistol Shooting (4-6 hours, small groups only)

In this class, you’ll learn defensive shooting methods and real-world safety considerations beyond those covered in the New Mexico concealed handgun license course. You must have either taken our basic pistol class, or have proof of CCW or basic pistol training from a certified instructor. Required supplies and equipment:

200 rounds of ammunition for your pistol (No SIG P320 pistols are allowed on the range)
A safe holster designed for your pistol (no SERPA holsters or generic holsters)
Eye and ear protection (ear muffs and glasses)
Water, sun screen, snacks and lunch (we will have a microwave and fridge available if needed)
A folding chair is recommended

Anti-Terror Pistol (4 hours, small groups only)

In this course, you’ll learn to shoot your handgun at targets beyond 50 yards and how this may be useful in unusual defensive shooting situations (active shooters, terrorism, etc). It is recommended that students take the four courses on before taking this one. Students should have great marksmanship ability and a full-sized pistol with a red dot sight for this course. Prerequisite: Intermediate Defensive Pistol

A full-sized pistol with a red dot sight mounted and zeroed (No SIG P320 pistols)
A safe holster made for your pistol (No SERPA holsters)
100 rounds of ammunition
Eye and ear protection (ear muffs and glasses)
Water, sun screen, snacks and lunch (we will have a microwave and fridge available if needed)
A folding chair is recommended

Intermediate Personal Defense (Classroom)

These online classes will cover things you should learn beyond the basics. Some of these topics are not allowed in state-approved concealed carry courses, but are essential knowledge for staying out of prison.

Your Right To Remain Silent (Don’t Talk To The Police) (1.5 hours)

We’ll watch and then discuss a video by a law school professor that explains your right to remain silent in great depth. We’ll then cover some important counter-points from self-defense and law enforcement experts, and things to keep in mind when asserting your right to remain silent.

When Self Defense Goes Wrong (1-1.5 hours)

Explore the case of Harold Fish, an Arizona man who wrongfully went to prison after a defensive shooting. This class shows us how the law can go wrong, and why we should only use force as a last resort.

Preparedness Studies

Basic Preparedness Concepts (1-2 hours)

We’ll cover some basic concepts you need to know to go beyond preparedness. Understanding the whole cycle of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery is essential.

Off-Grid Communication (1-2 hours)

Ways you can communicate in the event of a major disaster, government communication cutoff, or other situation where normal methods are unavailable. Discussion will include both licensed and license-free methods of communication.

Off-Grid Power (1-2 hours)

Basic concepts for off-grid power, including solar, battery storage, backup generators, and avoiding reliance on one source of power.

Supplies To Consider Keeping On Hand (1 hour)

An overview of things you should consider having on hand for major emergencies. In this class, I go beyond the “beans, bullets, and band-aids” approach most people in the doomsday prepper community take.

Protecting Your Communities From Political Violence

A History Of The Free United States (2 hours)

In this class, I explore the history of the United States and share things that freedom-loving people from anywhere on the political spectrum need to know. This class will help students understand what the real threats to freedom are, where they come from, and why divisive “left vs right” politics are not going to help.

The Bazaar of Violence (1-2 hours)

Today’s political violence is fundamentally different from that of the past. In this class, we learn about the effects of cheap access to warfare and how it sucks good people into violent extremism. Understanding what drives political violence (including that threatened and committed by governments) is essential to becoming safer from it.

Alternative Institutions (A Sane Alternative To “Resistance”) (1-2 hours)

We’ll explore some ways you can work in your communities (both local and people you have something in common with) to go beyond performative “resistance” and actually defend freedom using non-violent methods.

Defending Alternative Institutions From Violence (1-2 hours)

In this class, you’ll learn about some important considerations when defending parallel institutions from the Bazaar of Violence.