Our Instructors
Atlantic Tactical Firearms Trainers
Meet our experienced and dedicated instructors at Atlantic Tactical Firearms Trainers. Visit our store today to book a class.
R.S. Mitchell
- Maryland State Police Qualified Handgun Instructor
- Firearm Instructor for Police and Government Agency
- NRA Training Counselor
- NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Certified Muzzle Loading Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Instructor Personal Protection Outside the Home
- NRA Certified Home Firearm Safety Instructor
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- NRA Refuse to be a Victim Instructor
- Utah Concealed Carry Instructor
- Maryland Wear and Carry Permit Instructor
- Certified Instructor for FL / AZ / VA / DE / DC Concealed Carry Classes
- Self-defense instructor for 50 years
- Professional Glock Armorer
- NRA Life / MSI / SAF
- Professional Firearms Instructor in Pistol, Rifle Shotgun for Over 40 Years
- USCCA Concealed Carry Inst, Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Instructor, Women’s Pistol Instructor, Active Shooter Response Instructor, Tactical First Aid Instructor
- Mossad Ayoob – Mag 20, Mag 40, Deadly Force Instructor, Certified Expert Witness for Felony Assault Cases
- IDPA and Three Gun Competitor
Dan Spotts
- FBI Special Agent 1987-2017
- Tours in Washington, DC, Chicago, Baltimore, Canada, Spain, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, Grenada
- SWAT Operator/Breacher/Sniper
- Hostage Rescue Team Supplemental Element (Sniper)
- Certified Undercover Ops
- Certified Covert Ops
- Certified Close Quarter Battle
- Certified Defensive Tactics
- Case Agent on Largest White Collar Crime Case in Maryland History
- Case Agent on Largest Terrorism Related Case in Maryland History
Paul Stoa
- Former L.A.P.D. SWAT Team Member
- Maryland State Police Qualified Handgun Instructor
- NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle
- NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
- Utah Concealed Carry Instructor
- Maryland Wear and Carry Permit Instructor
- Certified Instructor for FL / AZ / VA / DE Concealed Carry Classes
- AR Armorer
- NRA Life / MSI / SAF
Gina M. Castagna
Gina M. Castagna came to the Ocean City area in 2001 after being born and raised in Baltimore City. Having degrees in both Criminal Justice and Sociology, she has served professionally in the environments of law enforcement, corrections, mental health and addictions, and domestic violence since she was 19 years old. Gina also owns her own local small business, and provides security throughout the Ocean City area for establishments, events, and celebrities. In between her multiple jobs, she also volunteers for several organizations – including the Worcester County Humane Society since 2009. Gina has been a part of the Atlantic Tactical Firearms Trainers team since 2019.
Edward L. Torbert
- Born 1951 in Salisbury, MD
- Graduated Wicomico High School in 1969
- Graduated Salisbury State College in 1974
- Studied Isshinryu Karate in Salisbury under Tom Lewis
- Awarded Black Belt in 1985
- Conducted numerous self-defense demonstrations for area groups and clubs
- Frequent competitor in regional martial arts tournaments
- Worked in the Wicomico County Fire Marshal’s Office for 37 years
- 15 years of fire/arson investigations
- 22 years as Fire Marshal
- Received initial firearms training with Ocean City Police Summer Officer Academy
- Additional continuous firearms training and qualifications with the Wicomico County
- Sheriff’s Office
- Retired 2011
- Became an NRA Pistol Instructor in 2015
Became an NRA Range Safety Officer in 2018 - Currently Range Safety Officer at the Salisbury Gun Club
- Currently in my second term on the Board of Directors of the Salisbury Gun Club
- Currently the Legislative Liaison for the Salisbury Gun Club
- Past Master of Centennial Lodge #221 of Freemasons three times currently Lodge Treasurer
- Former Grand Inspector for the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maryland
- Taught Continuing Education Computer classes at WorWic Community College for 15 years
- Employed at Wicomico Youth and Civic Center on the Security and Event team staff
- Personal interests: photography, motorcycles, firearms, active in several community service groups
Larry Aldridge Jr.
Has been an educator and school counselor in the Wicomico County school system for over 20 years. Along with being an educator, he has also worked in the security field for over 2 decades working as both armed security as well as close personal security for for celebrities such as Michael Jordan. Larry has been a firearms instructor for a number of years.
Glen Biddle
Glen Biddle is an NRA certified Instructor qualified to teach pistol, rifle, and shotgun courses and is also an NRA certified Range Safety Officer. Glen is an MD certified handgun instructor and comes to ATFT after recently retiring from teaching secondary history and social studies on the mid shore. Glen has a BA in political science and a MA in education administration from Salisbury University.
In addition to teaching, Glen is a 24 year veteran of the US Army and US Air Force where he was a combat arms instructor for both direct and indirect fire weapon systems and ran rifle, pistol, machine gun, mortar, and artillery live fire ranges as the OIC and RSO.
Glen served six years with the Cambridge Police Department as a bicycle patrol officer and member of the SWAT team. Glen also currently serves as Vice President and Range Safety officer at the Cambridge Skeet and Gun Club.
Mike Ennis
- NRA Basic Pistol Instructor
- IDPA Safety Officer
- MD Qualified Handgun Instructor
- Shooting IDPA Since 2011
- USPSA Since 2013
- IDPA Enhanced Service Pistol – Master
- Compact Carry Pistol – Master
- Carry Optics – Master
- Revolver – Master
- USPSA
- Open – Master
- Revolver – Master
- Carry Optics – Master
- Pistol Caliber Carbine – Master
- Limited – Grand Master
- Single Stack – Grand Master
- IDPA 2021 Liberty Match 2nd PCC
- 2021 DE State 2nd CO
- 2020 Chesapeake Cup 3rd CCP
- 2019 World Championship 6th CCP
- 2019 Potomac Grail 1st CCP
- 2019 DE State 1st CCP
- 2019 MD State 3rd CCP
- 2019 Chesapeake Cup 1st CDP
- 2018 MD State 1st ESP
- USPSA 2022 MD State 3rd PCC (1st Master)
- 2022 Delmarva Sectional 3rd PCC (1st Master)
- 2021 VA State 2nd Master PCC
- 2021 Carolina Classic 3rd Master PCC
- 2020 VA State 1st Master CO
- 2020 DE State 3rd Master CO
- 2020 Western PA 3rd Master CO
- 2019 DE State 1st Limited (Bump to GrandMaster)
Arthur S. Villaruz
- Princeton Township Police Department: February 15, 1985 – December 1, 2010
- Military Experience: United States Marine Corps Reserves – 1978 – 1984
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Human Services – March 1996
- Thomas Edison State College / Trenton State College / Mercer County Comm. College
Certifications:
- Monadnock PR-24 / MEB Instructor – S.P.E.A.R Instructor – Defensive Tactics Instructor
- Firearms Instructor – Beretta Armorer – Bomb Blast Evidence Technician
- Method of Instruction – CPR, First Responder – Blackwater Extreme Police Survival
Training:
- Custom Tactical Carbine for LEO – 2010
- Firearms Qualification / Use of Force / Pursuit Policy – 2010
- Human Trafficking – Ocean County Police Academy – 2009
- Respirator Quantitative Fit Testing – 2009
- Defensive Tactics, X-Baton and Oleoresin Capsicum Training – 2009
- Bias-Based Profiling in Service – 2009
- High Risk Warrant Service / Hostage Rescue, Blackwater – 2008
- Haz-Mat Blood Born Pathogens, Domestic Violence, EFP – 2008
- Monadnock Expandable Baton Instructor Re-Certification – 2008
- Israeli IRD Counter Terrorist Training for Police – 2008
- Custom Advanced Handgun for LEO, Blackwater – 2007
- Critical Incident Response / Active Shooter Union County Police – 2007
- Beretta Armorer Training Course – 2007
- Custom Carbine Course, Blackwater – 2007
- Cyber Crime Investigation Somerset County Police Academy – 2006
- Sexual Assault Response Team, Mercer County Police Academy – 2006
- Undercover Operations and the Police Executive, FBINAA – 2006
- Blauer Tactical Systems – Spear – Atlanta Police Academy – 2006
- PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor, Morris County Police Academy – 2004
- Advanced Homicide Investigation Conference NJSP / Princeton Univ. – 2004
- Contemporary Supervision Techniques, Burlington County Police Academy – 2001
- Advanced Investigative Techniques, Mercer County Prosecutors Office – 2001
- Supervision / Police Management, Somerset County Police Academy – 2001
- The Reid Method of Criminal Interview and Interrogation – 1997
- Monadnock PR24 and Expandable Baton Instructor – 1997
- Top Gun, New Jersey State Police Academy – 1995
- Method of Instruction, Mercer County Police Academy – 1995
- Crime Scene Processing – Criminalistics, Somerset County Police Academy 1995
- Interview and Interrogation, Somerset County Police Academy – 1994
- White Collar Crime Investigation, Somerset County Police Academy – 1994
- Basic Evidence Technician, Hamilton Township Police – 1993
- Monadnock PR-24 Instructor Course = 1994
- New Jersey State Police Academy Graduate – 1985
Other Accomplishments:
- Instrumental in the conversion from the Revolver to the adaptation of the Beretta
- Weapons System and other weapon systems for the Department Emergency Response Team
- Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor
- Physical Fitness Committee
- Research, Testing, and Evaluation of new equipment to replace aging and antiquated Police Equipment
Experience:
- Patrol Corporal – Jan 2010 – Dec 2010
- Detective Corporal – 2001 – 2010
- Detective – 1994 – 2001
- Patrolman – 1985 – 1994
- Police Dispatcher 1984 – 1985
Awards and Commendations:
- Firearms Achievement Award – Distinguished pistol expert
- Unit Citation – FRT involved entry and search working under adverse conditions – Hurricane Floyd
- Meritorious Service – Apprehension of suspect in a fleeing stolen vehicle
- September 2002 – Assisted in investigation of shots fired / recovery of firearm
- January 1998 – Conducted and participated in judgmental training simulations
- January 1993 – Rendering first aid and assistance
- March 1988 – Displayed use of professional tactics during a motor vehicle pursuit resulting in the stop and apprehension of suspect
Retired veteran Police Lieutenant Michael Henderson has over 25 years of experience providing both traditional and non traditional police services. Mr. Henderson possesses extensive skills managing patrol traffic and community policing units, conducting internal affairs investigations and executing emergency management operations. Mr. Henderson also has a considerable background administering training and career development programs while assisting with departmental accreditation through CALEA.
Highlights:
- Administrative and operational management – officer training and supervision
- Planning, scheduling, and prioritization – policy development and implementation
- Officer training and supervision – community oriented policing
Accomplishments:
- Established field training officer program to develop comprehensive formalized post academy training program for all new patrolmen.
- Established community oriented policing and problem solving unit known as the Community Action Team (CAT).
- Established summer youth police academy for Princeton youth.
- Promoted and worked actively to achieve CALEA accreditation.
- Established unit to respond to and investigate all serious motor vehicle accidents.
- Successfully completed New Jersey Dept. of Personnel’s Certified Public Manager (CPM) program.
Experience:
- Princeton Township Police Department Operations Lieutenant 1/2005 – 11/2010
- Traffic / Community Policing Officer 10/1996 – 12/2004
- Patrol Sergeant 9/1993 – 9/1996
- Patrolman 8/1985 – 8/1993
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts: Liberal Arts / Criminology – 1984
- Master of Administrative Science: Public Administration – 2001
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