Freedom Fighters Firearms Academy

Joe Alese, owner and lead instructor of Freedom Fighters Firearms Academy in Kittanning, PA, brings four decades of recreational shooting and professional security work to firearms training in Armstrong County and Western Pennsylvania. In 2018, he completed Act 235 (Pennsylvania's armed security certification) and worked protective details across multiple sectors: personal protection, school security, concerts, weddings, churches, hospitals, and corporate sites.

That real-world experience became his biggest motivation. Joe noticed a pattern in Armstrong County and surrounding areas—people buying handguns without any proper training on how to use them safely. That gap led him to establish Freedom Fighters Firearms Academy in 2018, certifying through the National Rifle Association and USCCA to teach what he knows works.

• •NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting - For all experience levels. Classroom and range instruction covering gun safety rules, revolver and semi-automatic operation, ammunition selection, pistol selection and storage, shooting fundamentals, firearm inspection and maintenance, marksmanship, and range safety. Live fire qualification included. Students shoot under NRA Certified Instructor supervision and receive a nationally recognized completion certificate.

• •NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home - Eight-hour course (approximately 100 rounds fired). Teaches defensive shooting skills, home safety strategies, response to violent confrontation, firearms and the law, handgun selection for self-defense, and continued skill development. Prerequisite: experienced shooter status (demonstrated through prior NRA Basic Pistol certificate, competitive qualification card, or military DD 214 with pistol qualification).

• •NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home - Two-level course on concealed carry and defensive use outside the home. Level One (several hours on range, ~100 rounds) covers essential knowledge and skills for safe, effective personal protection. Level Two (additional five hours, ~115 rounds) adds advanced shooting skills. Students receive appropriate level completion certificates.

Hands-on training in handgun basics, shooting fundamentals, conflict avoidance and situational awareness, psychology of violent encounters, legal aspects of deadly force, and home security. Includes a gear and gadget guide. Approximately 150+ rounds of factory ammunition required (no reloads). Students must have eye/ear protection, a holster, and extra magazines.

• •Individualized Training Sessions - Two-hour private sessions tailored to each student's skill level and weaknesses. Available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced shooters. Cost: $40 per hour (two-hour minimum). Joe highly recommends one-on-one training for rapid skill development.

• •Church Security Team Training - Complete threat assessment and multi-faceted program to build or improve church security teams. Services include:
• •Private firearms training for security staff
• •Use of Force instruction
• •De-escalation training
• •Smokeless Screen Simulator
• •Avoid/Deny/Defend curriculum
• •Legal representation coverage recommendations

If your church lacks a security team, Freedom Fighters provides direction on implementation. If you already have one, Joe offers ways to improve efficiency and safety.

Joe Alese holds: - NRA Basic Pistol Instructor - NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor - NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor - USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Instructor - First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and CPR - PA Act 235 (Armed Security) - PA Act 67 (NASRO - National Association of School Resource Officers) - Training in USCCA Handgun Dynamics, Emergency Response, and Active School Shooter protocols (conducted with Pennsylvania State Police)

He actively trains with a Grandmaster and pursues high-level training opportunities to stay sharp. His personal mantra: always strive to be better than you were yesterday.

• •Range Protocol: Guns remain cleared except when the shooter is at the firing line. All range officer instructions must be followed. Safety is non-negotiable—anyone demonstrating unsafe gun handling is dismissed without refund. Bring proper eye and ear protection, a holster, extra magazines, and at least 150 rounds of factory ammunition (no reloads). Drinks and snacks welcome; no alcohol, drugs, or CBD products.

• •The Core Philosophy: Carrying a firearm for duty or personal protection isn't casual. You must understand your own capabilities, your equipment's capabilities, and be able to make split-second decisions with sound judgment while knowing lethal force law. Joe's courses expose your liabilities and show you how to correct them.

"When under duress, your adrenaline spikes, your fine motor skills diminish and your peripheral vision is lost. You will never be able to perform at a high level if you have never trained at that level." - Joe Alese

Instructor: Joe Alese Email: [email protected] Social: @FFATraining on Facebook

Firearms training for responsible gun owners interested in self-defense and personal protection in Western Pennsylvania from an NRA and USCCA certified instructor.