Meet The Instructors

Illinois Concealed Carry Certified Instructors

Steve Watson

Director of Training Condition Yellow Academy, NRA Certified Firearms Instructor

steve-head-small-2Steve has been involved in the shooting sports since 1996 following his honorable discharge from the US Navy Submarine force.  While in the Navy, he qualified with the .45 cal. Pistol and was a member of the Nuclear Weapons Security Detail.  Mr. Watson has trained at several premier firearms training institutes including Front Sight (NV), and Sand Burr Gun Ranch (IN) prior to becoming certified as an NRA Instructor.  Licensed to carry a concealed firearm in 32 states, Mr. Watson has also trained under Massad Ayoob the founder of Lethal Force Institute (LFI), Massad Ayoob Group (MAG), developer of the Stress Fire system for gun fighting, and author of several books on the justified use of lethal force, most notably – In the Gravest Extreme: Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection (ISBN-13: 9780936279008).  In 2013, Mr. Watson became the Director of Training for Condition Yellow Academy.

Instructor Certifications:
  • IL Concealed Carry Instructor
  • Defensive Pistol
  • Defensive Pistol Skill Builder
  • Advanced Tactical Pistol
  • Defensive AR Platform
  • Defensive AR Platform Skill Builder
  • Advanced Tactical AR Platform
  • Defensive Shotgun
  • Defensive Shotgun Skill Builder
  • Advanced Tactical Shotgun
  • USCCA Instructor
NRA Instructor Certifications:
  • NRA FIRST Steps and Basic Pistol
  • NRA FIRST Steps and Basic Shotgun
  • NRA FIRST Steps and Basic Rifle
  • NRA Home Firearm Safety
  • NRA Personal Protection In the Home (PPIH) and Outside the Home (PPOH)
  • NRA Metallic Cartridge Reloading
  • NRA Refuse To Be A VictimNRA Range Safety Office
Memberships and Affiliations:
  • North Suburban Police Pistol League (NSPPL) Member
  • International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) Competitor
  • United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
  • National Rifle Association
  • Illinois State Rifle Association
  • ICarry.org Founder’s Club Member
  • IllinoisCarry.com

 

Pete

Pete is passionate about teaching students the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to safely handle and carry firearms for personal protection. Pete has trained under many prestigious instructors and enjoys this lifelong journey of becoming the best instructor he can be. He seeks to consistently motivate his students to become more confident in their skill and knowledge of firearms, as well as the legal aftermath of justified use of force. Pete is a professional educator by trade and has been teaching concealed carry classes for Condition Yellow Academy since 2017.

 

Instructor Certifications:
  • Rangemaster Certified Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
  • NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor
  • NRA Personal Protection in the Home Instructor
  • NRA Pistol Coach
  • NRA Basic Pistol Instructor
  • Refuse to be a Victim Development Counselor
  • USCCA  Defensive Shooting Fundamentals Instructor
  • USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Instructor
  • USCCA Countering the Mass Shooter Threat Instructor
  • Second Amendment Foundation Training and Education Association Instructor
  • WI Armed Private Security Person certified for Aerosol Weapons OC Products, Semi-Auto Pistol, Revolver, Rifle and Shotgun
  • Illinois State Police Approved Concealed Carry Instructor

 

Joe Koselleck

Joe Koselleck is one of our newer instructors at Condition Yellow Academy, teaching our Illinois Concealed Carry Course. Joe has his Concealed Carry Permit and has been shooting for the last five years. He has participated in many of the defensive pistol courses we offer, and he is a top competitor in our Defensive Pistol Shooting League. Joe has his NRA Range Safety Officer certification and is a USCCA Certified Instructor.