Howard S. Gussak - Director of Training and Lead Firearms Instructor

Former US Army, Federal LEO (Law Enforcement Officer), Federal Firearms and Tactical Instructor.

I was born in the Bronx, New York and later moved to Yorktown Heights. My father taught me gun safety and firearm instruction at a very young age. I later became an Eagle Scout in 1985 and graduated with a degree in English from State University of New York at Plattsburgh. After joining the Army National Guard, I went on to become an Army Infantry soldier deployed in places such as Iceland for Operation Northern Viking.

Upon return from activation, I joined the Bureau of prisons (Federal Department of Justice) in 1996 and became a Firearms Instructor for the Bureau in 1998. I served as a Lieutenant for 14 years, including five years as an investigator. During this term, I was a Lieutenant for the deposition and handling of the 9-11 suspected terrorists after the towers fell in Brooklyn. I’ve dealt with all manner of inmates and offenders and was also a team leader for our Disturbance Control Team.

I started in Danbury, CT then went to Otisville, NY, then to Brooklyn, NY, later returning to Danbury, CT. After several more years there, I was chosen for a very select spot as a Firearms Instructor at FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center) at Glynco, Georgia. My primary responsibility was instructor for the BOP (Bureau of Prisons), but I also taught over 93 different agencies firearms instruction and tactics. I instructed in BMI (Basic Marksmanship Instruction), WITSEC (Witness Security and Protection Program), and MOT (Marksman Observer Training). I also assisted with Bus Operations and Firearm Instructor Training Program. Additionally, I taught various tactical procedures and am experienced with Incident Command Center responsibilities and what to do in an Active Shooter Incident.