Curriculum Offered

Artemis Self-Protection Training operates from Kila, Montana (5050 US Hwy 2 W), offering firearms instruction and self-defense education specifically designed for women. The training philosophy centers on three priorities: safety first, then avoidance and prevention, then self-defense capability.

Vickie Kelley is the lead instructor for the women's program. Five years ago, she went from owning a gun with no real training to becoming a USCCA Firearms Instructor. She now holds credentials in concealed carry instruction, women's curriculum, pepper spray certification (Sabre Red), off-body carry, and tactical anatomy shooting.

Will Parker, the chief instructor and owner, brings 45+ years of firearms experience and 30+ years as an instructor. He's a retired Navy and Marine Corps veteran (25 years), Force Science Institute Analyst, MAG Deadly Force Instructor, and USCCA Senior Training Counselor. Will has trained under Rob Leatham, Massad Ayoob, Andrew Branca, Michael Seeklander, and numerous other nationally-recognized instructors.

The program follows a three-level USCCA foundation:

Level 1 uses laser pistols and CO2-converted firearms with realistic felt recoil. All equipment provided.

Level 2 transitions to real firearms. Students shoot S&W M&P .22, S&W VICTORY .22, and GLOCK G44 .22 (all 22-caliber for reduced recoil and cost).

Level 3 uses full-power 9mm and .380 handguns: - S&W M&P 9 2.0 Subcompact - S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus - S&W M&P 9 Shield EZ - GLOCK G19 and G48 (some with optics) - Springfield XDM Mod 2 - Ruger LCP Max (.380) - Ruger LCR Revolver (.38 Special) - Avidity Arms PD10 with optic

All firearms, ammunition, and equipment provided for Levels 2 and 3.

Practice With Purpose Range Time ($40, 1.5 hours) - After completing all three levels, students can attend coached range sessions. Targets and range fee included; bring your own gun and ammunition.

Private Training - Minimum two hours on a private range: - One-on-one: $180 for first two hours, $60 per additional hour - Each additional student: $50/hour - Buy 5 two-hour sessions, get the 6th for half-price - Buy 10 sessions, get the 11th free

Artemis provides: range, targets, range materials, cleanup. Students bring: firearm, ammunition, eye and ear protection, ballcap, crew neck shirt, closed-toe shoes. Steel core and steel/aluminum cased ammo not allowed—bring brass cased full metal jacket only.

• •Montana ENHANCED Concealed Carry Class (8 hours, $160)
• •USCCA Montana Enhanced Concealed Carry curriculum
• •60/40 classroom and range split
• •Topics: personal protection planning, legal use of force, deadly encounters aftermath, live-fire
• •Completion qualifies you to apply for Montana Enhanced Concealed Weapons Permit with multi-state reciprocity

• •Sabre Red OC (Pepper Spray) Class (4 hours, $80)
• •Non-lethal force training for everyone (especially those carrying lethal force)
• •Awareness and avoidance techniques
• •Verbal and physical escape drills
• •Person protection options
• •You will be sprayed with active ingredient pepper spray in this class
• •Includes three practice canisters, one active self-protection canister, and workbook

• •Hammer-Time Shooting Clinic (4 hours, $100)
• •Foundation handgun shooting for novices and experienced shooters
• •Four hours on private range with limited class size
• •Teaches proper grip, stance, trigger press as developed by Rob Leatham (the winningest competitive shooter ever)
• •Work on very small, small, medium, and chest-size targets at various distances
• •Learn speed vs precision tradeoffs
• •Includes legal context sprinkled throughout
• •Limited enrollment for personalized attention

• •USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Level 1 (6 hours, $200)
• •100% range-based defensive shooting
• •Fundamentals, intuitive skill development, defensive accuracy, lateral motion
• •Speed and precision balance, emergency reload, assessment
• •Presentation from holster, live-fire simulation

• •USCCA Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Level 2 (6 hours, $200)
• •Builds on Level 1
• •Multiple target engagement, volume of fire
• •Dynamic deviation control, one-handed and weak-hand shooting
• •Non-diagnostic linear malfunction clearing, skill development cycle
• •Cognitive processing and performance, live-fire simulation

Monday - Saturday: 8am - 8pm

5050 US Hwy 2 W, Kila, MT 59920

• •Phone: 406-407-6662

• •Email: [email protected]

• •Beth Alcazar (USCCA Senior Training Counselor, Women's Editor of Concealed Carry Magazine) is the Artemis Target Sponsor
• •Pacificers & Peacemakers provides eye protection (including prescriptions and readers)
• •Andrew Branca (Law of Self-Defense) provides legal mentor training
• •Michael Seeklander & Rich Brown offer free two-week trial on training through partnership
• •Holster discount available (code: FMGW)

Artemis was named after the Greek goddess known as a protector of innocent women and helpless infants. The mission: empower today's women with skills to protect themselves and their children. Vickie's personal journey—from false confidence based on gun ownership alone to becoming a certified instructor—shapes how they teach with thoughtfulness, kindness, and real experience. Classes reduce fear and confusion around handguns through accurate information, real-life scenario studies, dummy gun practice, and live-fire training.