ABOUT US
Our Instructors make all the difference.
All of our instructors have extensive backgrounds, yet are still actively training to get better.
Who We Are
Dynamic Combative Solutions is an all-in-one self-defense school for students and Instructors. We specialize in all manners of self-defense education. DCS has recruited and trained Instructors who specialize in hand-to-hand combatives, Knife Techniques, Baton, Civilian Tasers, Pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Whether you are looking for self-defense options or you’re required by your employer to be more proficient with your tools, our mission is to provide lifesaving education, training, and skills to the general public and professionals alike. We want you to be better prepared to defend yourself or others in a life-threatening situation while acting within state and Federal laws.
We pride ourselves on knowing a multitude of ways to accomplish tasks so that our students will be more successful at achieving their goals. We not only teach our own classes but work in partnership with reputable leaders from around the country to host their classes as well. We want to provide you with the very best training possible using the latest techniques that makes education fun and enjoyable while still being safe and accurate.
some cool facts
Numbers speak for themselves
Don’t take our word for it. What do our students say?
James W. Tempe, AZ
After shooting most of my life, 13 years in the military and federal law enforcement, and some of the best schools the government has to offer I can say with confidence DCS was the missing link for me to be able to put 2 rounds through the same hole on the target.
Henry C. PHX, AZ
A good instructor can teach fundamentals….a great instructor can take those fundamentals and teach the student how to make them habitual….after taking your class my last several range sessions have been directed and gratifying…I haven’t done a clean run of your precision Pistol target yet, but I get closer every time…thank you!!
Joshua P. Chandler, AZ
I have now taken 2 classes with DCS Training, their CCW class and their Precision Pistol 1 class. I have participated in classes before, but I can honestly say I will be training with these Instructors from now on. Every class starts with a safety brief, firearms inspection, and instructor/student introductions. The instructors are heavily invested in your learn and they make it clear from the word go. No matter the size of the class they will work with you individually to help you achieve your goals and they will praise you when you succeed. The classes are affordable and the instructors know what ammo costs these days so they make every round count in the class. You can go anywhere an find a “trainer” who is going to “train” you. Now if you want to learn in an environment that is conducive to your learning, to reach your personal goals, from someone who is invested in your learning. Then do what I did and call DCS Training.
John Hunter Mesa, az
David Laird Owner/ Director of Training
BIOGRAPHY- David Laird, was born in Texas and raised in Arizona.
David’s father introduced him to firearms at the young age of 6, which marked the beginning of his enthusiastic obsession with firearms.
Military service was part of the Laird family legacy so naturally; when David turned 18 (1996) he joined the U.S. Army. While in the Army he served with the 82nd Airborne Division as a heavy weapons squad leader in the Infantry. Upon leaving the Army David returned home to manage an auto repair facility for several years. Not wanting to miss out on any of the action, in 2007-2008 David went back to Iraq as a civilian contractor to fulfill his patriotic duty.
Upon his return he transitioned to the firearms industry and church security, where he began his instructor career while volunteering with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Operations Posse in his off time (2008-2012).
Dave ran a very large successful school in the valley with over 30 instructors teaching at 3 locations from 2012-2019 before starting DCS in March of 2019.
Dave currently works as a private security contractor. Where he continues to teach and train in the field he enjoys.
He is an NRA Law Enforcement Instructor / NRA Carry Guard Basic Instructor (2014) and has been an NRA Certified Counselor in: Pistol, HFS, PPITH, PPOTH, CCW, Advanced Pistol, refuse to be a victim, RSO, CRSO, Rifle, Shotgun and Metallic Cartridge reloading. (2008-present) Trains and certifies new NRA Instructors min 4 times annually.
He is a Certified ASP Tactical weapons instructor 2012-present.
IDS APEX Level 1 Instructor 2019
He is certified by the Arizona Department of Public Safety to train Armed Security Guards. (2008-present).
He has worked with T.A.S.E.R. International to help develop their first ever, Civilian Certified Instructor Program using the new PULSE model.
He is an Active Self Protection Certified Instructor. (2020) and regularly teaches at the ASP National conference as a guest instructor every year.
UTM Professional Training Organization Certified
Glock certified Armorer
S&W Certified Armorer
Armalite Certified Armorer
POF Certified Armorer
Empty-Handed Qualifications:
3rd Degree Black belt / Instructor with ATA Taekwondo Association
1st Degree Black Belt Moo Duk KwonTang Soo Do
Has studied TaiChi privately Under Master Willy Lim.
Dave continues to train in Krav Maga, Gracie Jujitsu and many others.
Notable instructors who Dave has trained under and considers significant influences in his firearms skills and methods of teaching.
Maj. James Douglas Laird U.S. Army Retired – A.K.A. Dad. I can’t even begin to discuss amazing instructors I have trained with, without first giving credit to the man that first introduced me to firearms at age 6. Having flown over 400 combat air missions in Vietnam he is arguably one of my greatest hero’s growing up.
Mike Abromovich – NRA Western Regional Training Counselor-Friend/Mentor
Erik Frohardt-ST3- NRA Carry Guard
Jeff Houston-SF- NRA Carry Guard
Mike Pannone- D-NRA Carry Guard
Craig Sawyer- DEV-Hard Target Training
Travis Haley-MR- Haley Strategic- Multiple courses- Mentor
Dave Spaulding-PO- Handgun Combatives- Multiple courses- Friend/Mentor
Instructor Zero- CC-Defensive Handgun- Defensive Handgun workshop- Mentor
Baret Fawbush- Truststandard- Carry Fundamentals- Very Influential in precision & speed
John Correia- Active Self Protection- Friend/ Mentor
Samuel Middlebrook- Active Self Protection Instructor -RedHawk Firearms Training- Friend/Mentor
Adam Winch-PO- Defenders USA- Friend/ Mentor
Creed-SF- Friend/ Mentor
Seamus-SF- Friend/ Mentor
Andrew Blubaugh- APEX Shooting- Faster Saves Lives Lvl 1
John Benner-PO- Tactical Defensive Institute- Faster Saves Lives Lvl 2
Clayton Wilcox
Clayton Wilcox was born and raised in Ohio.
Clayton was introduced to shooting by his stepfather initialing using a Daisy Red Ryder BB rifle in the backyard. He then progressed to a Marlin .22 rifle and a Henry Richardson 9 shot .22 revolver. His passion for shooting grew through his teenage years, to include his obtaining both of the Boy Scouts’ rifle and shotgun merit badges while at Summer Camp. He later returned to the camp and assisted with the programs during high school.
In the fall of 2002, Clayton completed the Ohio Police Academy and later began his career in Law Enforcement, serving his local communities. During his career in Law Enforcement, he furthered his passion for shooting and teaching by earning his General Instructor, Police Rifle Instructor, Taser Instructor, Oleoresin Capsicum Instructor, and various other instructor certifications.
The summer of 2007, Clayton moved to the Phoenix area and continued working as a Police Officer. During his tenure, he has worked as a Patrol Officer, Emergency Response Team member, Motor Officer and a K-9 Officer. He has continued his passion for shooting by earning various National Rifle Association of America (NRA) instructor certifications and law enforcement firearms instructor certifications.
Clayton continues to train officers and citizens in various disciplines; to enable the individual to prepare for, avoid, and/or defend their lives or the lives of their loved ones if faced with an aggressor looking to cause harm.
Clayton has the following instructor certifications:
- Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AzPOST) Pistol and Shotgun
- AzPOST Rifle
- Approved – Arizona Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Officer Safety Officer Act (LEOSA) Qualification
- NRA Basic Pistol
- NRA Basic Rifle
- NRA CCW
- NRA Range Safety Officer
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
- NRA Refuse to be a Victim
- NRA Metallic Cartridge Reloading
- ASP Baton, Flashlight, and Restraints
Peter David
Mike Garzas
Mike brings a passion for teaching personal defense and tactics to his students and presents it in a straight forward and easy to understand format. He is a lifelong student of the gun excelling in a variety of platforms but with a passion for long distance precision shooting. His interest in firearms came early in life, despite being in a household unfriendly to firearms, by way of summer camps that encouraged marksmanship skills development. These summer retreats allowed Mike to gain an appreciation for firearms and marksmanship that set-in motion a path to the military and law enforcement. With over 20 years spent involved with providing advanced technology and hardware in support of our national security, NAS and Department of Defense initiatives for tactical reconnaissance and battle damage assessment, Mike is able to explain highly complex tactics and learning concepts with an ease that most veteran instructors appreciate.
Mike has extensive training on many weapon systems from his years in the United States Navy and as a military contractor overseas and at home. He volunteered with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for about a decade where he spent his time on warrant team and as a General and Firearms Instructor/ Range Safety Officer, carrying multiple certifications to instruct for judgmental use of force, weapon inspector, defensive tactics, weapon retention, mechanical restraints, chemical agents and numerous other AZPOST courses for the office. Mike is also a certified Taser® instructor for both initial and rectification courses and maintains certifications from the National Rifle Association for Basic Pistol, Firearms Safety, and Range Safety Officer. Mike has conducted countless hours of training for active shooter and force on force training scenarios with handgun, shotgun, rifle, and Taser®. Mike is also both Arizona and Nationally certified as an EMT and can provide emergency range medical treatment if ever needed.
This could be you
DCS requires extensive experience and background with training in self-defense and firearms. We require a proven track record of actual experience as well as volunteer time to observe your abilities with our students and our brand. For further details please contact us.