Meet Justin Jackson, a firearms instructor based in Preston, Idaho, and former Special Forces Green Beret. After leaving the military, Justin knew his mission wasn’t over, it just had a new direction.
“When I got out, I decided to start a business so I could keep being a force multiplier,” he explains. “But instead of doing it overseas, I get to do it in my own backyard with my fellow Americans.”
For Justin, instructing is about more than marksmanship, it’s about building protectors: people capable of stepping up when it matters. His motivation runs deep, grounded in faith and family: “Love of God and family. It’s my job to be a protector. Putting in the work every day is how I show God and family that I love them and I’m ready to answer the call.”
One defining moment came after leaving the military, when he stepped into the world of competitive shooting. “A 16-year-old kid smoked me in a match,” he laughs. “Wasn’t even close. That’s when I realized my SOF background meant nothing. Respect is rented, not owned. You have to pay the man every day if you want respect.”
That moment reshaped his philosophy on growth and humility; lessons he now passes on to his students. “Be humble. The small and simple things make the biggest difference. The number one thing that holds people back from being a better shooter is their ego.”
When he’s not on the range, you’ll find Justin with his family, in the gym, or watching college football, specifically cheering on the BYU Cougars.
As for gear, Justin’s no stranger to protective equipment. “I wore safety helmets in the Army all the time. The most important part is being safe while having quick access to life-saving tools like lights and night vision.”
Being part of the HHV community, he says, is about more than gear. “It means I’m part of a community doing the hard work for the American people. Any job that requires a helmet has inherent danger—and I’m proud to be part of the team that puts that helmet on every day.”