PracTac was born out of a simple realization: Owning a firearm is one thing – knowing how to use it properly is another.
We met many people, mothers, fathers, first-time gun owners, who bought a firearm to protect their families, yet felt unprepared and uncertain when it came to actually using it.
Many admitted they were afraid of freezing under pressure, accidentally hurting a loved one, or even having their weapon being turned against them.
At the same time, we saw a gap in the training world. Many training programs felt intimidating, overly tactical, and designed for professionals – not everyday people who just want to keep their families safe. We also found that many of these courses were also expensive and impractical.
That’s when we decided to create something different. PracTac was built to make home defense training accessible, realistic, and practical.
Our goal is to build a community in South Florida of people who are trained, capable, confident, and ready to protect what matters most – a community of everyday defenders.
Judgment-free environment
Safe, simulation- based training
Ongoing support and Continuous improvement
designed for all experience levels
Family-focused approach
Originally developed for military use, stress inoculation teaches you to stay calm and think clearly under pressure. This psychological preparation can be more important than physical skills in real emergency situations.
Our instructors bring military and law enforcement backgrounds combined with expertise in civilian training. They understand the unique challenges families face and provide patient, professional instruction in a judgment-free environment.
We use advanced simulation technology, minimizing safety risks while providing effective tactical preparation. This allows us to practice more diverse scenarios and welcome beginners.
Daniel
Gonzalez
lead Instructor
With over 35 years of combined military, law enforcement, and instructional experience, Daniel brings deep operational knowledge to PracTac’s home defense training.
His background includes service as a U.S. Marine Corps Infantryman and Georgia Army National Guard Infantry member, followed by 15 years in law enforcement, including leadership roles such as SWAT Commander and Drug Task Force Agent.
He also holds multiple senior-level instructor certifications, including NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, and has decades of experience teaching defensive skills across a wide range of disciplines.
At PracTac, Daniel brings a depth of experience to structured, safety-first instruction that helps students build confidence and readiness.
Brandon Alvarez
Instructor
With 12 years of service in the United States Army, much of it with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Brandon brings extensive military, instructional, and competitive shooting experience to PracTac’s training programs.
A performance shooting instructor since 2017, Brandon is a five-time USPSA Grand Master, earning Grand Master classification across Carry Optics, Limited Optics, Open, PCC, and Limited 10 divisions, with numerous major-match wins across the country. His military training includes the Special Forces Sniper Course II and Ranger Small Arms Leaders Course (RSALC), along with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria in various Special Operations capacities.
At PracTac, Brandon combines his operational background with high-level competitive shooting experience to help students improve firearm proficiency, decision-making, and performance under pressure through practical, focused instruction.
Nicholas
phillip Yalley
Instructor
With over five years of firearms training experience, Nick brings a strong foundation in pistol and rifle instruction, range safety, and defensive firearm education to PracTac’s scenario-based home defense training.
A certified NRA Pistol and Rifle Instructor and Range Safety Officer, Nick has trained novice firearm users in shooting fundamentals while also providing advanced skill instruction to experienced shooters. He has led concealed carry classes for thousands of citizens, covering the rights, responsibilities, rules, laws, and decision-making protocols associated with defensive firearm use.
His expertise was developed through extensive, multi-year training under a retired Department of Defense and Department of Justice trainer and Grandmaster-level competitive shooter. He is also a Certified Glock Armorer and USPSA competitive shooter.
At PracTac, NIck helps students build safe, responsible firearm skills while developing the judgment and decision-making needed for real-world preparedness.
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