About Us
FSS Training is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran founded and operated company. Every instructor at FSS is a forever student. We draw from real world experiences and training to bring the best possible curriculum to our students. Our primary locations are Illinois and Alabama.
Meet the Team
Ernie Velez
Ernie is a Marine Corps Veteran, and brings valuable real world experience from his years of service, where he trained, operated, and deployed all over the world. He is a certified NRA Instructor, and Chief RSO. He brings a vast bank of knowledge to his students, gained through real world contexts and over 10 years of instructing experience. Like all FSS Instructors, he is forever learning and improving his craft by regularly attending other reputable firearms Intructor’s and high level training courses.
Connor Garrity
Connor is a Marine Corps Veteran, and Active Duty Police Officer. He currently serves as a Firearms Instructor, & Defensive Tactics Instructor for his agency. On top of his regular duties, Connor serves as a member of a regional SWAT team in Illinois. He is an Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board “ILETSB” & North East Multi-Regional Training “NEMRT” approved Instructor. Connor regularly attends courses of other reputable firearms instructors. He holds an impressive list of Instructor certifications and has completed a vast array of high level training courses. He is currently the head of FSS Law Enforcement Training Branch.
Joel Zaruba
Joel has been involved in the firearm training industry since 2010. Joel draws from a wide variety of training experiences to shortcut the learning curve for new students as they begin their journey. Joel is a subject matter expert on individual equipment. He owns and operates Zulu Nylon Gear, a tactical gear design and manufacturing business. He is also a licensed FFL/SOT.
Rob Anderson
Rob has been involved with the firearm industry for over 10 years. He is a certified NRA Instructor, UTM Force on Force Instructor, Range Safety Officer and Competitive Shooter. He follows our mantra of being a forever student and is always working to hone his skills through continuous training at a number of other reputable companies in the industry and shooting local USPSA matches.
Heath Owens
Heath has been involved in the firearm training industry for over 10 years. Heath draw from a wide variety of training experiences to short cut the learning curve for new students as they begin their journey.
Carlos Jimenez
Carlos is a Marine Corps Veteran, and Active Duty Police Officer. Throughout his career in Law Enforcement, he has served as a member of a Special Enforcement Unit assigned to midnight patrol. He is an active Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor and has multiple Instructor Certifications from the NRA, ILETSB, NEMRT, and ITOA. Carlos has prior training and certification as an EMT-B, and is a Tactical Trauma Care Instructor. He continues to broaden his skill sets by attending training with reputable local, state, and nationally recognized Firearms, Tactics, and Combatives programs.
Our Range
Our private range is conveniently located just outside Chicago, IL. The range features 18 lanes, a 180 degree workspace, wide variety of target types, gravel pad for barricades and vehicles, covered ready area, and plenty of distance to train for any defensive scenario with pistol or rifle. Whether you are taking a defensive pistol course, or looking to host a private training with your department, our facilities can be adapted to fit your needs.
Recently, our company has expanded south to Alabama. We work with a variety of ranges to bring year round training to the Gulf Shores regions near Mobile, Alabama / Pensacola, Florida.