Your premier destination for firearms training.
About Us
Mission
American Patriot Defense (APD)
Training for Real Life. Prepared for the Fight.
Founded in 2021, American Patriot Defense (APD) was created in response to the rapid growth of the firearms community and a clear gap in quality training. Recognizing this need, APD was built on a foundation of real-world experience with a mission to empower responsible, law-abiding citizens through high-quality, practical firearms instruction.
APD’s core focus is on firearms safety, defensive mindset, performance, and realistic training. From first-time gun owners to seasoned shooters, students are offered a comprehensive path—starting with fundamental firearms handling and progressing to advanced tactics and Force-on-Force scenario-based training. APD delivers instruction through group classes, private lessons, and specialized programs tailored to individual needs and skill levels.
The ultimate goal of APD is to mentor and develop capable, confident, and responsible gun owners—individuals who are not only proficient with a firearm but also mentally prepared for the realities of a lethal encounter. At APD, training isn’t just about shooting—it’s about survival, mindset, and the responsibility that comes with being an armed citizen.
Our Instructor
Dwight Bushong – Firearms Instructor | Tactics Trainer | Combat Veteran
Dwight Bushong has dedicated his life to training, firearms proficiency, and the pursuit of excellence in weaponcraft. He began his career in 2007 with the Kentucky Army National Guard (KYARNG) as a Military Police Officer, where he quickly developed a passion for tactical instruction and operational readiness. A 2010 graduate of Western Kentucky University, Dwight transitioned to civilian law enforcement in 2014, bringing with him a wealth of real-world experience and an unwavering commitment to service.
Throughout his military career, Dwight completed two combat deployments to Afghanistan, conducting mounted and dismounted security patrols, convoy protection, personal and base security, and defensive combat operations. His leadership extended beyond the battlefield as he trained thousands of Soldiers and Airmen in advanced firearms tactics and defensive techniques in preparation for deployment.
A former member of the KYARNG Marksmanship Competition Team and the elite Small Arms Readiness Training Section (SARTS), Dwight has refined his skills under the highest standards. He is also a certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor and has competed in USPSA matches alongside law enforcement professionals and civilians alike.
With thousands of hours of formal training as both an instructor and a student, Dwight continually seeks to grow, teach, and evolve. He believes that every training session is an opportunity to prepare mentally and physically for the realities of high-stress encounters. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: “If your training is easy, you're training to lose.” True preparation demands intensity, discomfort, and focus—because survival in a fight is earned long before it begins.
Dwight’s mission is clear: to train others with purpose, to share the lessons forged through experience, and to constantly pursue mastery in the art and science of firearms and tactics.