First Team Defense

First Team Defense operates out of Albright, WV in the Preston County mountains—right off Exit 23 of I-68 (Bruceton Mills Exit). You head south on WV-26 for 6 miles, then right onto Glade Run Road for half a mile. The location works for students driving from across northern West Virginia.

Their stated mission is straightforward: education over intimidation. Classes move at the pace students can handle, with emphasis on safety and comfort. You'll learn situational awareness as part of every course—the idea being that looking aware keeps you from looking like a victim.

All instruction comes from USCCA-certified instructors and range safety officers. Owner Bill Watkins is a 10-year Army veteran (Military Police). Lead female instructor Ashley Selmon runs a women-only group called "Ashley's Angels" for live fire and self-defense discussion. Rachel Southern (USAF Reserves, multiple Middle East deployments) is vice president of Ashley's Angels. Jacob Carder handles range safety officer duties.

• •Introduction to Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals ($50, 6 hours)
• •4 hours classroom, 2 hours range time
• •Covers the four universal safety rules, grip, stance, loading/unloading, sight alignment, trigger control, live fire with 50 rounds
• •Designed for zero-to-minimal experience shooters
• •No weapon? They rent firearms and ammo for an additional $40

• •USCCA WV Concealed Carry Home Defense Fundamentals ($80, 8 hours)
• •6 hours classroom, 2 hours live fire with 50 rounds
• •Meets all WV state requirements for concealed handgun license application
• •Reciprocity with 37 other states—you can carry on vacation or day trips
• •Equipment rental available for $40

• •Concepts of Defensive Pistol: Basic ($100)
• •Prerequisite: Concealed carry or intro handgun class
• •Moves beyond "sending rounds downrange" to practical defensive techniques
• •Covers drawing from holster, loading, reloading, situational awareness, personal protection planning
• •Emphasis on realistic, effective training—you're training to be your own first responder

• •Women's Handgun and Self-Defense Fundamentals ($150, 16 hours over two days)
• •Three progressive levels: basic pistol, intermediate pistol, defensive pistol
• •Basic covers safety and pistol manipulation with intro to live fire
• •Intermediate goes deeper into calibers, malfunctions, quick corrections
• •Defensive covers legal aspects, cover/concealment, drawing from holster
• •Upon completion: WHSDF certificate + WV Concealed Carry Certificate (meets state CCW requirements)

• •Personal Protector Weekend ($150, two days)
• •Saturday: Full concealed carry course + home defense fundamentals
• •Sunday: Defensive pistol basics (drawing, magazine changes, cover/concealment) + "Controlling the Bleed" (tourniquet and wound dressing application)
• •Meets all WV CHL requirements

Defensive Rifle Training

All DR courses require knee pads. DR1 needs 200 rounds rifle + 3 mags. DR2 needs 200 rifle + 3 mags, 150 pistol + 2 mags. DR3 needs 200 rifle + 3 mags, 200 pistol + 2 mags.

• •Multi-State Concealed Carry/Maryland Wear & Carry ($275)
• •Covers WV and Maryland law for multi-state carry
• •Held at main facility (1481 Glade Run Road, Albright)
• •Scheduled March 7-8, 2026

• •Children's Firearms & Safety Fundamentals (family course)
• •Teaches 4 universal safety rules, accident prevention, family responsibility
• •Philosophy: "education not isolation"—talking openly about gun safety keeps families safer

Real Estate Agent Safety & Self-Defense - Situational awareness for agents - Stress effects, mindset, defensive strategies - Certificate of completion issued - First Team Defense will come to your agency for threat assessments and emergency operations planning

Countering the Mass Shooter Threat - Run, Hide, Fight methodology - Identifying public threats, increasing survival odds - Available as individual course or corporate/house of worship training with threat assessment and emergency operations planning

• •Emergency First-Aid Fundamentals ($60, 8 hours)
• •Patient assessment, chest wounds, breathing, spinal injuries, broken bones, shock, severe bleeding
• •Build your own first-aid kit instruction
• •Become your family's first responder

• •Dress code: No open-toed shoes or low-cut shirts (range safety standard). Classroom is indoors, but you qualify on an outdoor range—dress for the weather.

• •Late policy: Arrive 5 minutes early. Classes start on the hour. More than 5 minutes late = not admitted, reschedule required.

• •Full name required as it appears on ID (Jr., Sr., II, III included)
• •Invoice sent via email after registration
• •Payment due within 24 hours of invoice (invoice will show due date)
• •Seats first-come, first-served and limited
• •Unpaid invoices after deadline = seat released to next student

• •5+ days before class: Full refund if you cancel via phone (304-841-3341)
• •Medical/family emergency within 24 hours: No refund, but can reschedule to a later course
• •No-show: No refund, must re-register and pay for future course
• •Incomplete (didn't finish course): No refund, must re-register and pay

"Failure to follow the four universal safety rules in FTD's classes is an automatic failure and dismissal from class with no refund."

First Team Defense reserves the right to remove students and permanently ban them for safety rule violations.

First Team Defense partners with Rational Defense LLC, a federally licensed firearms dealer in Clarksburg, WV (Harrison County and surrounding areas). This creates a one-stop shop for firearms + training.

Rational Defense contact: - 50 Wilkinson Street, Clarksburg WV 26301 - Phone: (304) 669-4252 - https://www.rationaldef.com/

West Virginia law waives concealed carry class requirements for documented veterans with pistol qualification on their DD 214. First Team Defense offers their concealed carry class free to veterans who want to take it or refresh skills.

• •Phone: 304-841-3341

• •Main Location: 1481 Glade Run Road, Albright WV 26519 (off I-68 Exit 23)

• •Website: firstteamdefense.com