Ryan Gass
Founder
Ryan Gass is a honorably discharged U.S. Marine with 5 years of service. His first duty was in Kings Bay, GA securing the Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic, including nuclear weapons and submarines. Upon conclusion of his time at Kings Bay, Ryan received orders to Weapons Training Battalion East at Camp Lejeune, NC. There, Ryan served full-time on the rifle range training Marines and Sailors how to more effectively employ their M4, M16, and M27 rifles from 25 yards up to 500 yards.
My Story
After transitioning to the civilian sector, Ryan has worked jobs related to security and firearms including armed security at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, later working armed security in Prince Georges & Anne Arundel Counties. While working sites in PG & AA, Ryan began assisting training other security officers. Inspired by the lead instructor and seeing a different need- Ryan founded Practical Training Professionals in August 2015 with the goal of training average everyday citizens to be safer and more effective in using firearms.
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Ryan now also serves in a law enforcement agency in the DMV region.
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He holds several certifications from various organizations and agencies including the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Maryland State Police, Delaware Attorney Generals Office, Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, National Rifle Association, United States Concealed Carry Association, and a former Combat Marksmanship Coach for the United States Marine Corps.
Anthony Cooper
Assistant Instructor
​Anthony Cooper is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as a Gunners Mate where he gained in depth knowledge and experience with small arms- similar to the many available to civilians that chose to exercise their right to keep and bear arms.
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Since leaving the Navy, Anthony has spent many years in volunteering as a first responder in Maryland as well in the firearms retail industry, helping members of the community decide and obtain the best firearms to meet their needs.
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Anthony has worked with PTP for years, with him currently administering concealed carry courses throughout Southern Maryland. He has become an important part of our team and is always seeking more ways that we can better serve our PTP community.
