In 2019 Adam Metcalf founded Open Arms to educate students of all backgrounds, skill levels and goals in a safe, professional, and empowering training environment.  Adam is an Air Force veteran and who also spent 20 years in Federal law enforcement, including as a United States Secret Service agent on the Presidential Protective Detail.  In this final assignment before retiring from federal service, he and his team oversaw the firearms, tactics, de-escalation, emergency medical and use of force training for over 400 agents.  He has competed in International Defensive Pistol Association and United States Practical Shooting Association competitions since the 1990s.  

As a Match Director in Virginia at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club’s monthly IDPA competition from 2016 to 2018, Adam and his partners grew the monthly attendance from 30 shooters to over 100 and doubled the percentage of women shooters. 

Adam has been trained in firearm use and instruction, conflict avoidance, and decision-making under pressure.  He is a graduate of the Firearms Instructor Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and later completed FLETC instructor classes in Raid Tactics, Active Threat Response and Advanced Instruction of Marksmanship.  He completed the Federal Air Marshals Service Close Quarters Combat Instructor course and has taken classes from Air Force Education and Training Command, Defense Tactics Institute, 10-8 Performance, Dolan Consulting Group, Modern Samurai Project, Force Science Institute, NRA, Glock, Colt and the Sig Sauer Academy. 

Adam looks forward to working with students of all backgrounds, skill levels and goals.  Whether you are a new gun owner learning the fundamentals or a seasoned shooter refining your techniques, Adam’s goal is to provide a safe, professional, and empowering training environment.

Adam is a dynamic keynote speaker available to address critical topics including de-escalation, situational awareness, and conflict avoidance. Presentations are tailored to your specific audience—whether individuals, teams, or large groups—delivering practical insights that resonate with real-world challenges. De-escalation training, grounded in proven interaction techniques, can be fully customized to meet your organization's unique needs and objectives.

See you on the range!