Training Team
Experienced, certified, and constantly training — because we believe every instructor should be a student first.
“It is imperative to always be a student first, and instructor second. I’ve seen firsthand what dogmatic, ego-driven training looks like — and what it costs. What worked in a warzone isn’t always the answer locally, and vice versa. The only way to know is to pressure-test it and honestly evaluate the results. Thanks to many great instructors throughout this industry, I’ve moved past the crawl-walk-run methodology and toward a logical analysis of performance. Simply put — shooting is shooting, and being cool is not that cool.”
— Ben Anderson
Meet Our Instructors
Ben Anderson – Owner & Firearms Instructor
A US Army 82nd Airborne Reconnaissance Infantryman and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran (2008–2009), Ben brings real-world military experience to every course he teaches. With countless hours behind multiple weapon platforms — from crew-served weapons to pistols — he has trained military, law enforcement, and civilian students at every skill level. When he's not on the range, you'll find him hunting or fishing.
Diamondback's curriculum is continuously updated under Ben's leadership, making it a relevant training environment for anyone from a first-time gun owner to an experienced professional.
Certifications:
– NRA: Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor, Range Safety Officer, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Inside & Outside the Home Personal Protection Instructor
– Arizona DPS Unarmed & Armed Security Guard Instructor
– California POST Instructor
– SABRE Red OC Spray Instructor
– ASP Baton, Handcuffing & Flashlight Tactics Instructor
– CPR Certified
Michael Maurer – Director of Training
Mike has been part of the Tucson shooting community since 2015, when he first walked into Diamondback as a student. That experience led to a deep passion for practical shooting sports — particularly competitive pistol — where he earned Master class standing in Carry Optics through the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA).
Mike regularly travels for competition and training, having studied under some of the most respected names in the industry including Drew Estell, JJ Racaza, Scott Jedlinski, Fabio Spinella, Gabe White, Nick Young, Tim Herron, AJ Zito, Ernest Langdon, and Rick Crawley. He brings that same drive to his students — blending technical knowledge with a patient, calm teaching style to help shooters at every level close the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
training@dbackshootingsports.com
Certifications & Awards:
– TCCC Certified
– NRA Pistol, Rifle & Shotgun Instructor and RSO
– GWT Turbo Pin #43
– AHT Man Card #141