About Our Instructor -- Phil Simonis

Phil is a co-founder of Step 1 Defense LLC. A Fishkill,
NY native Phil graduated from John Jay High School,
and attended Dutchess Community College. Phil has
been around firearms his entire life. Being the son of a
NYC police officer, and the grandson of a U.S. Marine
& NYS Trooper; Phil grew up learning to be a
responsible gun  owner. Instructor Phil is a certified
instructor through the NRA, and the USCCA. Phil is
also a certified Armed Security Officer in NY, and has
experience in corporate  security,  and business
management. Phil also works as an armed security
officer to a private government contractor. Phil holds
many certification through FEMA, NRA, and the
USCCA as well as various certifications in the private
security field. Now living in Fishkill, Phil loves to praise
God, raise his family, and train his community to
safely, and responsibly exercise their Second
Amendment rights.