Crago Concealed

AAR
What an incredible weekend at the Shotgun Jamboree!

I want to start by mentioning where my interest and desire to come to the Shotgun Jamboree came from.

Before I ever picked up a shotgun, I thought it would be intimidating and difficult to manage, especially as a woman. Training with Jonathan Willis completely changed that perspective.

He showed me that strength isn't what makes someone effective with a shotgun. With the right techniques, I can run a shotgun just as well as someone with twice my strength. His instruction gave me confidence, helped me believe in my own abilities, and proved that I am more than capable.

What stood out most was how he made everything approachable. The techniques he taught weren't just effective—they made shooting easier and, more importantly, they made it FUN. He didn't just teach me how to run a shotgun; he showed me what I was capable of and opened the door to a whole new level of confidence in a new platform.

The Shotgun Jamboree is much more than a training event—it's a gathering of students, friends, and passionate instructors with deep ties to Appalachia to a shared love for the defensive shotgun. The intentionally small class size created an atmosphere where everyone received personal coaching, meaningful feedback, and the opportunity to build lasting friendships. Shout out to Group 2! We all became family.

My experience was nothing short of amazing. Every block of instruction challenged me in a different way. I spent the weekend fine-tuning existing skills, refining others, and learning entirely new ones. That's exactly what quality training should do—it should leave you more capable than when you arrived.

A huge thank you to Aridus Industries and Kick-EEZ for providing lunches throughout the weekend. Their support helped keep everyone fueled and focused on learning. Adam and Frank, you ROCK!

Each instructor team brought something unique to the range:

🔹 Rob & Matt Haught kept the training fun, engaging, and packed with knowledge. Their passion for teaching was contagious. Training and learning from these two was a bucket-list item I got to check off and will train with them again!

🔹 Ashton Ray & Tim Chandler shared valuable lessons that will continue to influence how I approach instructing.

🔹 Zach Cox & Adam Roth reminded me that speed has its place, but so does enjoying the process. Their instruction reinforced that pushing yourself and having FUN are not mutually exclusive. FUN is important. We laughed and pushed ourselves hard.

🔹 Jonathan Willis & Chris Timmerman introduced me to the fundamentals of clearing a shoot house, emphasizing space management, angles, and movement. This was entirely new to me, and it was one of the most exciting learning experiences of the weekend. I can't wait to dive deeper into this aspect.

Training like this reinforces that there is always something new to learn, regardless of your experience level. The defensive shotgun is an incredibly capable platform, but proficiency comes from seeking quality instruction and putting in the work.

Thank you to every instructor, organizer, sponsor, and fellow participant for making this event such a memorable experience.

The facility Tactical Defense Institute was exceptionally beautiful thanks to John John J. Motil. Your extra touches and hard work did not go unnoticed.

If you have any interest in becoming more proficient with the defensive shotgun, I cannot recommend Jonathan Willis highly enough.The Shotgun Jamboree was a BLAST! Whether you're looking to sharpen existing skills or learn entirely new ones, this event delivers world-class instruction in an environment that is welcoming, challenging, and a whole lot of fun.

I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Well this sure resonates after the Shotgun Jamboree!! More to come later

Phew! Over the past two days, I had the privilege of learning marksmanship, active sh**ter response, and range management from an absolute BOSS, LouAnn Hamblin.

What most people don't see is the amount of work, preparation, and dedication that goes into creating and teaching courses like these. It's not just showing up and sharing knowledge—it's countless hours of planning, refining skills, staying current, and genuinely investing in the success and safety of every student. But let's also not forget the 100s of pounds of steel she hauls for us.

LouAnn's competence, professionalism, and ability to teach under pressure are truly inspiring. She expertly tailors the course as the students progress. She sets a standard that I hope to one day achieve. I'm grateful for everything she poured into this training and for the opportunity to learn from someone who leads by example.

Thank you, LouAnn, for your passion, your patience, and your commitment to making all of us better. ❤️💜❤️

Get you spot today! Registration link in comments.

Only a few spots left for THIS SATURDAY!!!

There's something special about seeing the Crago Concealed name on the backs of young athletes in our community.
Proud to invest in the next generation. Supporting our youth, encouraging teamwork, and giving back to the community that supports us is an honor.
Good luck this season, kids—we're cheering you on every step of the way!

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Read the full report: https://ow.ly/9Wn650Z4Ob4

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Only a few spots left.... get yourself registered!!! (Link in comments)