Being a military spouse has its challenges. Long periods of separation, frequent moves to unfamiliar places, and the realities of being married to someone who carries a gun for a living can feel daunting.
A veteran support group called the Meritorious Foundation plans to make all of that a little bit easier with a new program called Ready, Aim, Empower. The goal is to introduce military spouses to firearms in a safe, professional, and fun environment.
“The Meritorious Foundation created Ready, Aim, Empower after observing a consistent gap across our Veterans, Guns & Cigars events: military spouses were showing up alongside their partners, but often remained on the sidelines when it came to participating in live-fire activities,” Katherine Kostreva, co-founder and CEO of the Meritorious Foundation, told Pew Pew Tactical.
“Many expressed curiosity, but also hesitation or lack of confidence. We created this program to provide a structured, welcoming entry point that builds capability, confidence, and comfort in a safe, instructor-led environment, ultimately ensuring spouses are not just present in the experience, but fully included in it.”
To accomplish a goal of training 50 military spouses in the first year, they’re pulling out the big guns.
The Meritorious Foundation partnered with some of the big industry names you know – Aimpoint, Magpul, Mantis, the NRA Foundation, Ruger, Silencer Central, Smith & Wesson, and Vortex, to name a few – to provide participants with an opportunity to try before they buy.
Participants are scheduled to receive instruction from professional instructors. The hands-on, small-group curriculum includes safety training, firearms handling, and live-fire drills. It also provides soft skills that most people have to learn the hard way, like range etiquette and proper maintenance.
“In most cases, participants have little to no prior firearms experience,” Kostreva said. “They are around firearms socially through their spouse, but for many this is their first structured, hands-on introduction in a controlled training environment.”
“The program is intentionally designed to meet participants at the beginning of the learning curve, with a focus on fundamentals, safety, and confidence-building. Completion of the course also qualifies participants for their concealed carry permit, in addition to introducing foundational marksmanship skills.”
That’s important because getting a concealed carry permit is a huge step in anybody’s firearm journey.
“What changed for me was taking my CCW course with an NRA instructor who was former State Department,” Kostreva said. “During my one-on-one time with him, I could ask noob questions to better understand the mechanics, which is something I am really interested in.”
“He broke things down for me, from ammo diameters and what ‘mm’ actually means versus calibers like .45 ACP measured in inches, to how semi-auto systems function and how barrel length impacts recoil and control. Even things like trigger feel clicked for me in a new way, understanding how a cleaner, more predictable break can improve accuracy and confidence.”
Aside from firearms training, Ready, Aim, Empower is about building stronger communities. Participants can gain a better understanding of what their spouse does for a living, and build confidence in their ability to protect their home while their spouse is deployed. They can form lasting connections with instructors and other spouses, and maybe even find a passion in competitive shooting. And, of course, everyone comes away with a better understanding of firearms safety.
“My advice is simple: get your husband to babysit, come out, and spend time learning, shooting, and having fun,” Kostreva said. “And once you feel comfortable, follow through on your CCW paperwork and continue practicing. Shooting is a perishable skill, so consistency matters. Keep shooting, stay engaged, and consider joining organizations like IDPA or USPSA to stay sharp, build skill, and keep progressing over time.”
Ready, Aim, Empower follows two veteran-focused programs. Veterans, Fishing & Cigars teams veterans who are transitioning into civilian life with company executives for fishing charters off the Florida coast. Veterans, Guns & Cigars brings together veterans, law enforcement professionals, and members of the shooting industry for friendly competition, skill building, and networking.
What do you think of the new Ready, Aim, Empower program? Let us know below. For more great shooting courses, check out our guide on How to Choose Your First Class!
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