Our Latest Scholarship Recipients! 5/6/2026

June 2, 2026 Lindy Comments 0 Comment

Our latest scholarship recipients at Gunsite, May 29, 2026. Carlos Roman (E ticket), Anna Componovo (second in the shootoff), Lindy, Trevor Coningham (won the shootoff), and Chris Rabago. Outstanding!

What our Scholorship Recipients Had to say about their experience:

Anna: I had a wonderful experience at Gunsite. I went into the program with very little knowledge and shooting experience, and I was amazed by how much I learned in just five days. The curriculum is comprehensive, thorough, and easy to follow, making it accessible even for beginners.

My goal was to leave feeling safe, confident, and competent with a firearm and the 250 Pistol class exceeded those expectations. With the support and guidance of my instructors, I was able to push myself and develop skills far beyond what I anticipated. I left feeling significantly more prepared and capable than when I arrived.

Best, Anna

Trevor: I had an absolute blast learning at gunsite. Even with my previous exposure to shooting through my grandfather, Jim Swanson, I learned a lot. The skills, knowledge and experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. The crew of instructors were absolute professionals who had vast experience due to their decades of service and a pointed interest in each individual student improving. The scenery and facilities of the campsite are amazing, making for one of the best camping experiences I’ve ever had. The students I was In class with were great people that I was excited to learn with and compete against during our shoot offs. Overall, an amazing time that makes you realize why they call 250 the “gateway”. I can’t wait to get back for GAS or a 350 class.

Sincerely, Trevor Coningham

Carlos: Good morning! Well, back in 1996, I saw an article in a gun magazine (Guns & Ammo?) at the PX on base about Col. Jeff Cooper and Gunsite (20th anniversary?). Anyway, being an avid shooter, I said to myself: “Someday, I’ll go there!”. As destiny would have it, life happened and had to postpone that dream a couple decades.

In 2023, I started working with Bob Schneider (RIP), Freddie Blish and Joe Avila. While coaching and mentoring me, Freddie and Joe told me about the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation. To say I was excited and honored was a huge understatement. I’m finally going to Gunsite after 30 years!

I have been an avid shooter since the age of 8, and a firearms instructor since 1996. Also, I have taken many classes and certifications. Currently, NRA, USCCA and FLETC certified instructor. I work full-time as a Border Patrol firearms instructor for line agents and the Border Patrol Academy. As a side hobby, I shoot a competitively in USPSA and GSSF matches. The training I received at Gunsite Academy was nothing short of amazing.

Starting with the instructors and coaches, the drills kept me engaged. There wasn’t a time I walked off the range w/o feeling challenged or having learned something. Coaching by the instructors was excellent. They really helped me find those details in my technique that needed work. In short, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a student and I cannot wait to come back. I plan to make coming to Gunsite a part of my regular training.

I hope this helps and if I can do anything else, I’d be honored. You can use my review if you think it would help. Again, thank you so much for the scholarship, it meant a huge deal to me.

Best regards, Carlos

Chris: Hello, my name is Christopher Rabago and I am recipient of the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation scholarship to attend your 250 Defensive Pistol Class. I had the opportunity to attend a recent 250 Defensive Pistol Class (5/25 – 5/29) and wanted to provide an honest opinion/review of my overall experience.

First allow me to give you a little of my background to provide a basis for my observations and opinions. Unlike some people, I was never into firearms until I joined the Marine Corp infantry in 1995 where I quickly developed a passion for firearms and training. All together I served 15 years in the military both active duty and reserve assuming various rolls as an infantry squad leader, military police officer, and primary marksmanship instructor. In 2000, I was hired on as a police officer with the Honolulu Police Department until I lateraled to the Phoenix Police Department here in Arizona in 2007. Being a police officer focused on training has given me some insight into what may or may not work and the motivation to want to get better.

In 2013 I became an adjunct Firearms Instructor for the Phoenix Police Department then later in 2016 transferring to the Academy Firearms Training Detail full-time. Since being here at the Academy I have become an AZPOST Master Instructor and helped develop and implement our Handgun Optic Training Program. In addition to my department training, I have attended numerous firearms training on the civilian side during my career. I have witnessed both good firearms instruction and bad instructions which has molded and developed me as a firearms instructor. I am really passionate about teaching firearms and really push to understand the “How and Why” behind all things firearms related. In an effort to better myself, I also compete in USPSA (carry optics and revolver) and ICORE and have fun failing and learning along the way.

The course from Day 1 to the last day was well put together and I liked how one lesson built onto the next. The structure of the class allowed it to all flow seamlessly from one drill to another. Each iteration had a clear goal and purpose. It was nice to see the “A’ ha” moments in students and had several myself throughout the week. It was exciting to see that the foundation of a lot of the drills that we still use today came from Jeff Cooper and Gunsite.

Regarding your instructors, Ken, Brain, and Dan were consummate professionals. As an instructor I tell my students, it is my job to explain the how and why behind everything I teach and if I cannot do that, I have failed them. Your instructors were thorough and explained everything down to the littlest detail. No student was left behind. Each instructor complemented each other’s teaching style and worked as a team. It was evident that Ken, Brain, and Dan brought a lot of experience to the table, but they never made it about themselves instead focusing on making all of us better. It truly felt like a family environment. It is clear to me that Ken, Brian, and Dan are an asset to Gunsite and motivated me to be a better instructor and shooter. I look forward to bringing back the lessons I learned to my department.

In the end, I was able to earn the status of Expert and was especially humbled when Ken handed me the Golden Raven pin.

On the ride home from Prescott to Phoenix I called my wife, and she asked me how the training was. The first thing I told her was, “That is want I want to do.”

In closing, I want to thank Gunsite, the Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation, but most importantly Ken Tuttle, Brian Dekind, and Daniel Bilodeau for the great instruction, good times, and the motivation to continue doing what I do.

Sincerely,

Christopher Rabago