Robert Cole
Robert Cole brings more than 16 years of dedicated firearms instruction experience to the IALEFI Board, shaped by a career that began in the United States Marine Corps. His passion for marksmanship began early in life but took a professional turn in 2007 when he joined the military and discovered the deeper discipline of instructional work.
Certified through the USMC, NRA Law Enforcement Division, and Team One Network in disciplines ranging from low light instruction to shoot house training, Robert is particularly passionate about teaching weapon mechanics and unconventional shooting positions, essential skills for real-world readiness.
Over the years, Robert has taken on a wide range of teaching roles, from coaching young Marine lieutenants through qualification hurdles to becoming the Director of Training at Team One Network. Along the way, he’s helped develop the organization’s Pistol Mounted Optics Instructor Course and continues to teach and lead on both the range and the national training circuit. He regularly attends and presents at IALEFI and ILEETA conferences.
Robert’s teaching philosophy is grounded in adaptability: “A way, not the way,” he says, emphasizing the importance of tailoring instruction to each student’s background and needs. Whether he’s troubleshooting performance issues one-on-one or bridging gaps with creative analogies, his priority is always student success.
A defining characteristic of Robert’s instructional style is his ability to meet students where they are, especially those struggling to keep pace. He is most fulfilled when working one-on-one with the so-called “trouble” student, guiding them to breakthroughs others might overlook. One such instance involved a cross-eye dominant shooter during a red dot pistol class. The student was struggling with body alignment and visual focus, until Robert made a simple yet powerful correction: switching the student’s stance to a strong-leg-forward position. This subtle adjustment dramatically improved not only the student’s performance but also their endurance and confidence. It’s moments like these that drive Robert’s passion for teaching.
Guided by the timeless wisdom of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech, Robert leads with humility, courage, and an unwavering commitment to those he trains. He sees every class, every shooter, and every challenge as an opportunity to dare greatly, and to help others do the same.
Looking to the future, Robert envisions firearms instruction evolving through strategic integration of emerging technologies. While he firmly believes the range remains the best classroom, he’s enthusiastic about supplementing live-fire training with tools like virtual simulators, online platforms, and instructor development resources. His goal is to help shape an ecosystem where in-person training is amplified, not replaced, by creative and accessible new learning methods.
Robert is honored to serve on the IALEFI Board, crediting the organization with shaping his instructional journey and connecting him to a network of passionate, like-minded professionals. He looks forward to continuing that legacy by helping guide the next generation of firearms instructors.
