Our mission is to drive fundamental change in the firearms and tactical training industry.

“For the last five decades, first in the military, then in LE, and now in the CCW environment I feel like “training” has been mostly just familiarization. If we were lucky there was a walk-through exercise. So little of the realities were truly understood. There were a few exceptions but not many. I was lucky and survived. I know several who did not. As I study more writing like yours I am beginning to understand the problem…”

{ William Hayes​ }

Axiom Defensive Training, Pennsylvania

Dustin Salomon, CPP – Founder

Dustin is a former naval officer who specializes in security, protection, and training development. Between the military and the private sector, he has conducted 20 overseas deployments, was a founding member and the Director of Training for Sealed Mindset (now Defensive Mindset Training), and is a member of the SMEAC Consulting Group. Dustin is a certified law enforcement firearms instructor in multiple disciplines and designed the weapons training programs at multiple military commands. He has a Bachelor’s of Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master’s Degree in Security Management, and is an ASIS Certified Protection Professional. He is the author of seven books on firearms training: Building Shooters, Mentoring Shooters, On Training, Volume 1, On Training, Volume 2, Becoming Shooters, NURO, and Hitting in Combat, and is the primary inventor of the NURO(TM) Shooting System (Patent Pending).

Richard Salomon, PMP – Principal

Rick is a retired FBI Agent with 26 years of service who specializes in investigations, crime prevention, and program management. Rick’s professional background is in contract negotiations, white collar crime investigations and counterterrorism finance operations. He is a certified law enforcement firearms instructor and use of force analyst, was a FBI SWAT team member for 16 years, holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in USA Goju, and was a principal FBI defensive tactics instructor for over 15 years. Rick also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Kenyon College, a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University, a Master’s Degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College and is a PMI certified Project Management Professional.

Jonathan Marvell, CDR, USN (ret.) – President of Products and Technology

Jon is a retired naval special operations officer. He led one of the first navy EOD detachments into Iraq, was Operations Officer for the navy’s Riverine Command, and served as an EOD direct support OIC and the EOD direct support Squadron Commanding Officer for naval special warfare. He subsequently served as the naval expeditionary warfare requirements branch head and then retired as the naval special operations mission requirements analyst.  Jon began his career as a nuclear Electronics Technician, graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in Systems Engineering, has a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership, and is a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. Jon is also an accomplished competitive shooter. He was Captain of the Naval Academy Combat Pistol Team, OIC of the Navy Marksmanship Team, and is a Triple Distinguished Marksman.

Derek McDonald – President of Market Development and Training

Derek is a U.S. Navy combat veteran with over 20 years of experience as a marketing executive. His experience includes serving as former Chief Marketing Officer of Proof Research and Vice President of Marketing at Surefire. Derek also bring a wealth of training experience to our team with many years as a firearms and tactics trainer with the Surefire Institute and as a life-long martial artist and martial arts instructor with a 3rd degree black belt.

William Koella – Director of Infrastructure and Compliance

Will is a senior technology strategist who brings a broad base of knowledge and experience to our team. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Information Warfare officer who has previously served as both Chief Strategist for high performance computing and Strategic Computing Coordinator for the Department of Defense.  Will was also Captain of the USNA Trap & Skeet Team.

Joshua Mueller – Lead Technologist for Software Development

Josh brings a wealth of capability to our Products and Technology team with impressive expertise in both hardware design and software development. He is experienced at embedded software and hardware integration, with previous work experience that includes working as the Lead software engineer for a secondary surveillance radar system with CTSi and as a Lead Technologist and software engineer with Booz Allen. Josh received his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from LeTourneau University and has begun working towards a Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence.