Every once in a while you attend an event that reminds you there’s always another level to this.
That’s exactly what Train and Learn 2026 felt like.
Hosted annually over Memorial Day weekend at Greenwood by Kevin Dixie and the NOC crew, the event brought together firearms training, survival skills, rifle work, pistol work, industry networking, and honestly some of the best energy I’ve experienced in the firearms space.
From classroom instruction and live demos to room clearing, movement drills, and hands-on survival training, the weekend was packed with knowledge from every angle.
And somehow the training still didn’t stop there because Monday rolled around and I was right back at it again.
This weekend was easily a 10/10 experience.
Day One: More Than Just Range Time
Before we ever stepped onto the range, Friday’s classroom instruction laid the foundation for the entire weekend.
The first speaker was Ashley Hlebinsky (@historyinheels) owner of History and Heels, who went over the history of firearms and honestly brought a perspective that a lot of people in the space never really stop to think about.
It was a reminder that firearms culture runs much deeper than social media clips and gear setups.
Next up was Dan McCoy (@replicatorusa) from Replicator Suppressors, who shifted the conversation toward financial education and preparedness.
I appreciated that because it reinforced something important:
Preparedness isn’t just tactical.
It’s financial too.
Then we had Nina Brewer (@ninaelizabethrose) , a lawyer specializing in intellectual property and transactional considerations for companies in the firearm industry.
Hearing her perspective was honestly refreshing because it reminded me how much exists in this space outside of simply pulling a trigger.
We also got range demos from Coast and Mantis, which helped set the tone for what the rest of the weekend was going to look like.
That entire first day really made one thing clear:
This event wasn’t just about shooting.
It was about education.
Day Two: The Instructors Brought Real Knowledge
One thing that stood out throughout Train and Learn 2026 was that every instructor brought a completely different perspective and skill set to the table.
And none of the blocks felt repetitive.
Each one built on a different aspect of preparedness and training.
Josh Logan — Shooting at the Speed of Efficiency (gtcttain.com)
One of my favorite training blocks from the weekend was with Josh Logan from Guardian Training and Consulting
His topic focused on shooting at the speed of efficiency, which honestly ended up being one of the biggest takeaways from the weekend for me.
He taught the 1,000 count rule, which focused on using cadence and rhythm to increase speed while still maintaining accuracy.
That concept clicked immediately.
A lot of shooters think speed comes from moving faster or trying to outrun the gun, but Josh really broke down how efficiency creates speed naturally.
The smoother and more controlled your movements become, the faster and more accurate you end up shooting.
That block alone dropped a ton of gems.
Instructor Blue — CQB and Structural Clearing (@instructor_blue)
Instructor Blue from Survivalist Mindset Training Group, taught the CQB portion of the weekend, focusing on structural clearing and movement inside buildings.
This was one of the most mentally engaging blocks from the event.
Working through:
- room clearing
- movement
- angles
- communication
- decision-making
He forces you to think differently than static lane shooting.
It makes you slow down mentally while still staying efficient physically.
That type of training sticks with you because it’s problem solving in real time.
Bill Toy — The Five Rings of the AR-15 (@theoutpostarmory)
Training with Bill Toy from Outpost Armory was another standout portion of the weekend.
Bill covered the Five Rings of the AR-15, focusing on foundational principles for fighting with the carbine.
Bill Toy is a dope-ass instructor.
His block focused heavily on:
- rifle positioning
- target acquisition
- control
- efficiency with the platform
And once he started breaking things down, you realize quickly how much smoother shooting becomes when your positioning and setup are actually correct.
A lot of the weekend kept circling back to the same concept:
Efficiency creates speed.
Not rushing.
Not forcing it.
Efficiency.
Sylvester Pierce — Basic Survival Skills (@_thesps)
Sylvester Pierce from Self Preservation Society handled the survival training portion of the weekend.
It was one of the most practical blocks there.
We worked through:
- water filtration
- fire starting
- understanding usable materials
- survival basics in different environments
Learning how to start fires using both wet and dry materials was one of those things that sounds simple until you actually have to do it.
It was a strong reminder that preparedness goes way beyond firearms.
That type of knowledge matters too.
Day Two Didn’t End When Training Stopped
One thing that made Train and Learn 2026 stand out was that it didn’t feel like people just showed up, trained, and disappeared.
There was actual community there.
After the outside instruction and demos wrapped up, day two shifted into a much more relaxed atmosphere with:
- a bourbon and cigar pairing
- bonfires
- cornhole
- networking
- real conversations with people in the industry
Being able to sit around, decompress, talk gear, training, business, and life with people who genuinely care about the culture made the entire weekend feel different.
It didn’t feel forced.
It felt genuine.
Day Three: Content Creation, Networking, and the Reality of the Industry
By day three, the event shifted into something completely different.
Instead of purely range-focused training, the day leaned heavily into:
- content creation
- networking
- marketing
- industry conversations
- community building
That balance made the event feel even more well-rounded.
There was a dedicated content creation range day happening alongside several discussion panels and networking events, which gave creators and instructors a chance to connect outside of the firing line.
Marketing Madness
Marketing Madness, is exactly this was a dedicated time to interact with all the vendors, learn about their products. We got make content , conduct demos and actually meet the faces behind the brands.
The conversation focused heavily on branding, marketing, and navigating the firearms industry as a creator or business.
That type of information matters just as much as range time if you’re trying to build something in this space.
The Hurtful Truth
Another standout discussion was The Hurtful Truth, which honestly turned into one of the most raw and genuine conversations of the weekend.
Kerry Dugan (@archangeldefensekerry), Bill Toy and Josh Logan gave valuable gems regarding the 2A space, training and content creation
It brought together instructors, trainers, creators, and people actively working within the firearms industry to talk honestly about the realities of the space.
Not the polished social media version.
The real version.
The conversation touched on:
- challenges within the industry
- creator struggles
- misconceptions
- business realities
- community dynamics
It was refreshing hearing people speak openly and honestly without trying to sugarcoat everything.
Women of the 2A
One of the most impactful portions of day three was the Women of the 2A conference hosted by Danni (@defensive_unicorns) from Defensive Unicorns.
It wasn’t just a panel, it was open discussion with the women that attended .
It felt like a genuine networking and community-building space for women within the firearms industry.
Women shared:
- experiences
- challenges
- goals
- perspectives
- ways to positively impact the 2A community
Being able to sit in a room full of women openly discussing their place within the firearms world was powerful in its own way.
The energy felt collaborative instead of competitive.
Maximizing Equipment for Content
There was also a content-focused section taught by Howard Woodward centered around maximizing your equipment for content creation.
That was another reminder that modern firearms culture goes beyond simply shooting.
Content, education, storytelling, branding, and media all play a role in how information gets shared within the community now.
It was a lot happening at once, but somehow it all worked together.
The Companies That Helped Bring Train and Learn 2026 to Life
Gun Food Ammunition(@the_gun_food)
They’re local to Georgia, which makes getting quality ammo significantly easier for shooters in the area.
Definitely a company worth checking out if you’re looking to source ammo locally.
Patrick made sure the freedom seeds kept coming!
December Customs (@decembercustoms)
First off, Kari and Josh from December Customs is an absolute joy.
She helped hook up my setup:
- holster
- leg rig
- belt setup
And she’s custom making my battle belt in purple multicam, with the matching leg strap, which is going to be insane.
You can tell when somebody genuinely cares about fitment and functionality instead of simply selling products.
The have everything from slings to belts and the best part is the they customize it your fit. From colors to stitching. Their products make range gear easy to manipulate on the fly which is the best!
Athena Targets (@athena_target_system)
Mike with Athena Targets had one of the coolest concepts I saw all weekend.
They’re developing a backdrop target system where you can shoot directly into the board itself and it captures bullet fragments into receptacles behind the target.
Meaning:
- no traditional target setup
- cleaner shooting environment
- faster reset between drills
Definitely something I want to keep an eye on.
They also offer steel targets with the cleanest setup I’ve seen.
Tactical Rx (@tactitalrx)
One vendor that genuinely stood out to me was Tactical Rx.
At first glance you think, “Okay, shooting glasses.”
But once they started explaining the design behind them, you realize they’re solving a very real issue a lot of people don’t think about.
Their glasses can be made:
- prescription
- non-prescription
- Customized to you
But the biggest difference is the material itself.
Traditional shooting glasses can crack or shatter under impact, which obviously creates another safety concern around the range.
The material Tactical Rx uses is designed to actually absorb and withstand shrapnel impact instead of simply breaking apart.
That’s one of those products you don’t fully appreciate until you think about how important your eyesight really is.
After the demo showing and properly that this products work, I had to get me a pair.
Coast (@coastportland)
Chris with Coast was another brand that genuinely stood out during the weekend.
I honestly wasn’t expecting to be as impressed as I was, but their lighting systems were crazy.
From weapon-mounted lights to everyday carry flashlights, everything felt practical instead of gimmicky.
One thing that really caught my attention was their voice-activated headset systems, which was honestly one of those “okay, this is actually dope” moments once you saw it in action.
A lot of people underestimate how important lighting is until they actually start training seriously, and Coast definitely showed why they’re a brand worth paying attention to.
Mantis (@mantis_tech)
Grant with Mantis was also out there demoing their new Titan X system.
The setup basically turns your home into a live-fire style simulator environment for training.
And what made it even crazier was how interactive the system felt.
They even had a zombie shooting game running through it, which made the experience fun while still reinforcing fundamentals like target transitions, movement, and reaction timing.
It was one of those booths where you stop for a few minutes and suddenly realize you’ve been there way longer than expected because you’re genuinely enjoying it.
Definitely one of the coolest tech demos from the weekend.
Tactical Life (@tactical_life)
Lance and Anthony are extremely easy to work with. They have great custom pieces.
Tactical Life is also getting ready to Cerakote and engrave the slide on my Walther PDP F, which I’m genuinely excited about because y’all already know I love functional setups that still have personality.
They also ported my CANiK barrel so it was great putting a face to the guys that greatly improved my EDC.
Black Guns Matter (@officalblackgunsmatter)
Another company that deserves recognition is BGM.
While some companies support the community through products, BGM helped support the message itself.
They provided t-shirts throughout the event that helped spread the message of freedom and personal responsibility something that was a recurring theme throughout the weekend.
Sometimes it’s easy to focus solely on the gear and training, but events like Train and Learn 2026 are also about preserving culture, community, and the values that bring people together.
BGM played a role in helping reinforce that message.
Ruger (@rugersofficial)
Ruger also showed up in a big way.
Not only did they provide swag bags for attendees, but they also donated two firearms that were given away during the event:
- RXM
- Harrier AR
That’s the kind of support that helps events like this continue to grow.
It’s always good to see major manufacturers actively investing back into the shooting community rather than simply selling products.
The create-aways generated a lot of excitement throughout the weekend, but more importantly, it demonstrated Ruger’s continued support of shooters, training, and community-driven events.
Monday with Archangel Defense
As if the weekend wasn’t enough, Monday I trained with Kerry from Archangel Defense for a Pistol 3 class.
And oh my God, the gems being dropped all day were endless.
We worked through:
- movement drills
- speed drills
- efficiency drills
But what stood out most was how much emphasis was placed on moving with purpose and eliminating unnecessary movement.
Everything was about efficiency.
Not wasted movement.
Not flashy movement.
Efficient movement.
And once you start understanding that concept, you realize how much smoother your shooting and transitions become.
It was one of those classes where you leave mentally exhausted, in the best way possible.
Why Events Like This Matter
A weekend like this reminds you that training isn’t just about shooting.
It’s:
- problem solving
- movement
- mindset
- communication
- adapting under pressure
Being around people who are constantly learning and sharpening their skills pushes you to do the same.
That’s the kind of environment that makes you better.
Final Thoughts
What impressed me most about Train and Learn 2026 wasn’t just the training. It was seeing instructors, manufacturers, content creators, businesses, and everyday shooters all contributing to the same goal: building a stronger, more educated, and more prepared community.
It blended:
- firearms education
- survival training
- pistol work
- rifle work
- networking
- business education
- content creation
- community building
into one experience.
That’s what made it stand out.
You weren’t just learning how to shoot.
You were learning how to think, communicate, connect, and grow within the space as a whole.
Definitely an event I’m looking forward to attending again next year.
As always follow for visual content at @stay.ready.sis 🙂
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