Col. Ben" is retired with 30 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, with joint services Special Ops duty and training, and is Air Force qualified as "Expert" in small arms. Ben is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force's Air War College and taught there. He is an experienced NRA-Certified Pistol Instructor, certified NRA Range Safety Officer, and FL Concealed Carry License Instructor. He shot competitively and ranked for several years in four International Defense Pistol Association handgun divisions and now teaches Florida Concealed Carry classes. He was recently selected for the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. Col. Ben is a Vietnam-era Veteran and Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and the Bosnia War-era Veteran.

Ben is a Florida Expert Legal Witness: Handguns, Concealed Carry, & Safety with the First Judicial Circuit, Florida- Office of Public Defender. He is a graduate of the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Academy for civilians at Escambia County, FL and a graduate of the Pensacola, FL Police Department's Police Academy for civilians. He completed Sig Sauer Academy's Practical Handgun Skills course in New Hampshire, as well as the Advanced Concealed Carry Course with FFT. He also completed the NRA Advanced and Intermediate courses in Concealed Carry and Personal Protection Outside the Home. His doctorate degree is in business and education and he served as a certified federal Mediator and Ombudsman. While serving as Deputy Commander for NW FL and AL, Admission Liaison Officers, U.S. Air Force Academy, he was given the Outstanding Counselor award and the Tallman Outstanding Leadership Service award. He was decorated with the Legion of Merit medal by HQ, Air University.

Ben wrote the 5-Star, 367-page, top-rated book "Concealed Carry and Handgun Essentials for Personal Protection" (second printing) with 57 comprehensive Chapters about concealed carry and handgun principles, techniques, and tips for both experienced and new shooters. His reference book is available in 4 countries, endorsed by several handgun organizations, on the NRA Bookshelf, and is available at a discount on his website at FloridaHandgunsTraining.com. Contact him at [email protected].