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Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

O Gara Training & Services LLC

Instructor

Irvine, CA · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Job Requirements:  Prior Military with Honorable Discharge  Possess a current DoD Secret Personal Security Clearance  Expeditionary Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor (SAMI) course (or ...

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Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor information

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How much do small arms marksmanship instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for small arms marksmanship instructor in the United States is $21.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors face when training new recruits?

Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors often encounter challenges such as varying skill levels among trainees, overcoming training anxiety, and ensuring safety during live-fire exercises. Instructors must adapt their teaching methods to address different learning styles and provide personalized feedback to help each recruit improve. Additionally, maintaining engagement and discipline in group settings while balancing strict safety protocols is essential for successful training outcomes.

What is the difference between Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor vs Firearms Trainer?

AspectSmall Arms Marksmanship InstructorFirearms Trainer
CertificationsMarksmanship certifications, NRA certifications, military or law enforcement trainingFirearms safety, NRA certifications, law enforcement or civilian shooting certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary, law enforcement, shooting ranges, training facilitiesGun ranges, shooting schools, private training, law enforcement agencies
Employer & IndustryMilitary, law enforcement, security firms, shooting academiesPrivate firearms schools, shooting ranges, law enforcement agencies, security companies

Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors focus specifically on teaching precise shooting techniques and marksmanship skills, often within military or law enforcement contexts. Firearms Trainers may have a broader scope, including safety, handling, and general firearm use for civilians or law enforcement. While both roles require similar certifications and work environments, the emphasis for Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors is on accuracy and tactical shooting skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor, you need expert knowledge of firearms safety, marksmanship fundamentals, and instructional techniques, often supported by military or law enforcement experience and relevant training certifications. Familiarity with range management systems, simulation training tools, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong communication, patience, and leadership abilities help instructors effectively teach diverse groups and maintain discipline. These skills are critical to ensuring safe, effective firearms training and the development of proficient, responsible shooters.

What are Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors?

Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors are professionals who specialize in teaching individuals how to safely and effectively use firearms such as pistols, rifles, and shotguns. They provide instruction on marksmanship fundamentals, weapon handling, safety procedures, and maintenance. These instructors often work with military personnel, law enforcement officers, or civilians, ensuring that trainees develop proficiency and confidence with small arms. Their responsibilities also include conducting live-fire exercises, evaluating shooting performance, and adhering to strict safety protocols.
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What job categories do people searching Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor jobs are:
Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,102 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Coastal Maritime High-Risk Training Instructors

DMS International

Virginia Beach, VA

$54K - $71K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

DMS International (DMS) is a professional services firm headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, with work locations throughout the continental United States. We prepare managers and executives to lead their workforce through customized learning solutions that drive the standards of an ever-changing world. We build creative, unique, and engaging learning experiences for commercial, civilian, and defense organizations. Our high-caliber talent, delivery methodology and innovative solutions contribute to preparing a workforce that is ready for the future. You can join us on this journey to bring efficiency and creativity to our customers.

At DMS, we are the catalyst for effective workforce transformation. To achieve this, we hire professionals who take pride in doing quality work and who are excited about contributing to the professional development of tomorrow's leaders.

DMS seeks candidates that possess and display the attributes that reflect our Core Values of:

  • Quality in delivering solutions,
  • Leadership,
  • Innovation,
  • Teamwork,
  • Integrity in conduct
  • Responsiveness to our customer’s mission

DMS International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We make employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Job Description

DMS is seeking Coastal Maritime High-Risk Training Instructors. The Coastal Maritime High-Risk Training Instructor provides the Maritime Expeditionary Security Group TWO Training and Evaluation Unit (TEU) specialized Maritime Expeditionary Security Force skills to execute day and night high-risk training for their companies, platoons, patrol boat crews, and other special purpose maritime security teams. The instructor’s expertise facilitates coastal maritime operations, high value unit protection, ground and underway combat shooting techniques, tactical vehicle and convey operations, and unmanned aircraft systems operations.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Provide classroom and practical individual skills training and boat team training for multiple boat crews conducting patrolling, port-harbor security defense, and high-value unit/asset tactics, techniques, and procedures in a dynamic maritime environment. The instruction will include dynamic, live-fire crew-served weapons training events in both day and night operations.
  • Perform and observe the safe operations of weapons systems, patrol boats, and associated technical equipment.
  • Perform cleaning, maintenance, and repairs of weapon systems.
  • Perform course preparation and maintenance of curricula.

Qualifications

  • Graduate of a certified Navy Instructor Training Course with Navy Enlisted Classification codes 9502, 9501, or 9518 with at least one year of documented instructional experience. Civilian/commercial equivalents may be accepted. Favorable consideration may be granted for documented experience as a Crew-Served Weapons Instructor, Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor, and/or Expeditionary Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor, or similar military instructor qualification.
  • Navy or civilian industry standard equivalent Range Safety Officer for small arms and crew-served weapons static and dynamic live-fire ranges.
  • Current qualifications for the M9 Pistol or designated replacement, M4/M16 (or variants) Rifle, and M500 Shotgun.
  • USN Naval Coastal Warfare, Maritime Expeditionary Security, Riverine, Coastal Riverine or Special Operations experience.
  • Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator certification.
  • Current first aid certification or Tactical Combat Casualty Care.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Crew-Served Weapons Instructor, Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor, Expeditionary Designated Marksman Instructor and/or Expeditionary Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor, highly desired.
  • Current qualification on M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle, M240 Machine Gun, M2HB .50 caliber Machine Gun, M203 Grenade Launcher, MK38 Mod 2 25mm Machine Gun, MK50 Remote Weapon Station, highly desired.
  • Graduate of Blackwater, Mid-South Shooting Institute, Gryphon or Special Forces/Marine Corps Advanced Urban Combat small arms weapons training, highly desired.
  • Current Coastal Maritime tactics, techniques, and procedures experience with documented maritime platform watch station qualification, highly desired.
  • Content Planning Module/Learning Objective Module experience developing training curriculum in the past five years, highly desired.
  • Unmanned Aircraft System employment experience from a maritime platform, highly desired.
  • Instructional Systems Design experience in the past five years, highly desired.
  • Documented high-risk training instructor experience in the past five years, per fleet/Naval Special Warfare/Navy Expeditionary Combat Commander 1500 (series) instructions, highly desired.

Location

  • Virginia Beach, VA

Worksite:

  • Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story/Little Creek

Position Type:

  • Full-Time

Clearance: 

  • Secret