Dave Jenkins (AKA DFJ) Training
Dave Jenkins
BACKGROUND: Civilian, Instructor
33 Years Instructing
PH: 585-212-1536
Available Courses
| Next Class | Course | Type | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Next class: Jul 11 See Classes |
Kinetic Combat Pistol A Handgun Combatives Course |
Intermediate, Advanced, Concealed Carry Training, Specialty Other | Intermediate |
About Dave Jenkins (AKA DFJ) Training
Founder & Primary Instructor, Rochester Personal Defense, LLC
Hello. I’m Dave Jenkins. For more than 25 years, I’ve professionally trained thousands of responsible citizens — especially women and beginners — to handle real-world threats with calm confidence and decisive skill. If you’re ready to move from uncertainty to genuine preparedness, you’re in the right place.
My Journey & Track Record
My commitment to personal defense began in 1993 and has never wavered. Since founding Rochester Personal Defense in 1998, I have developed and delivered practical, no-nonsense training that consistently transforms concerned students into capable, confident protectors. I don’t just teach techniques — I build reliable skill sets that work when it matters most.I specialize in creating clear, empowering learning experiences for women who want straightforward, respectful, and highly effective instruction. My students regularly tell me they finally feel in control of their personal safety for the first time.
My Teaching Philosophy: “You’re safe until you’re not.”
I turn that reality into readiness. My programs eliminate guesswork and denial by delivering proven situational awareness, sound decision-making, combative skills, and defensive firearm techniques that are effective under stress. Every class is designed so you leave knowing exactly what to do — and why it works.
You will train in a professional, patient, and supportive environment where questions are welcomed and progress is expected. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced shooter, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and mindset that allow you to protect yourself and your loved ones with calm competence.
Credentials & Expertise
- USCCA and NRA Training Counselor
- Certified Handgun Combatives Instructor
- Graduate of elite training programs including Sig Sauer Academy, Rangemaster, Academi (formerly Blackwater), Insights Training Center, and many others
- Glock Armorer
- Certified in First Aid, TASER, ALICE Active Shooter response, vehicle tactics, and more
The Result You Can Expect:
After training with me, you won’t just hope you’re prepared — you will know you are. You’ll carry yourself with greater awareness and quiet confidence, and you’ll have the tools to go home safely every single night, no matter what the day brings.If you’re serious about personal safety, I’m ready to help you get there.
Contact me directly at dfjprotraining@gmail.com or visit safeinrochester.com. I look forward to working with you and seeing you become the confident, capable protector you want to be.
Courses Taught
Concealed Carry Training, Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Rifle, Shotgun, NRA Courses, USCCA Courses, Active Shooter Response Training, Church / Business - Safety / Security, Scenario Based Training, Scenario Based Training (Simunitions, Man Marking Cartridge), Women's Only Courses, Private Classes (Group / Individual), Instructor Training Courses, Instructor Coach Training Courses, Seminars / Lectures, Combatives / Less Lethal, Concealed Carry License, Shooting Sports Other, Stop the Bleed, CPR / AED (First Aid for Lay Rescuers), Legal Aspects for Use of Force / Avoidance, Constitutional / Permitless Carry, Range Safety Officer, Firearms / Gear Selection, Red Dot Introduction, Handgun Fundamentals, Real Estate Safety
Certifications
- 1995. NY State Peace Officer Training. Served with the Town of Greece Special Police Force.
- 1995. Certified with the National Rifle Association as Instructor for Basic Pistol, Home Firearms Safety, FIRST Steps, and Personal Protection Inside The Home
- 1995. Obtained Glock, Inc. Armorer certification.
- 1995. Range Officer status with the Rochester Defensive Pistol Associates.
- 1995. Certified with Sig-Sauer Arms as Armorer.
- 1997. Became an Instructor with Rochester Defensive Pistol Associates.
- 1997. Certified as a “First Responder” for medical emergencies and trauma situations.
- 1998. Police Officer Academy Training. Certified as a Deputy Sheriff by New York State Bureau of Municipal Policing.
- 2000. Named Assistant Rangemaster and Lead Instructor for Rochester Defensive Pistol Associates, LLC.
- 2002. Completed the “Unarmed Self Defense” course by Insights Training Center.
- 2003. Completed “Defensive Folding Knife” by Insights Training Center.
- 2003. Coach and attended “Unarmed Self Defense” course with Insights Training.
- 2004. Coach for “Unarmed Self Defense” and “Defensive Folding Knife” for Insights Training Center
- 2004. Completed “Close Quarters Confrontations” from Insights Training Center.
- 2005. Completed “Intermediate Defensive Handgun” From Insights Training Center
- 2005. Completed “Vehicle and Street Tactics” At Insights Training Center
- 2005. Completed “General Defensive Handgun” from Insights Training Center.
- 2005. Completed “Low Light Handgun” instruction from Insights Training Center.
- 2005. Coach for “Unarmed Self Defense” and “Defensive Folding Knife” for Insights Training Center
- 2005. Completed “Handgun Retention and Disarm” class from Insights Training Center.
- 2006. Named Rangemaster for Rochester Defensive Pistol Associates Tuesday Eve Concealed Carry match and training class.
- 2006. Completed “Intensive Handgun Skills” From Insights Training Center.
- 2006. Assistant Instructor for “Unarmed Self Defense”, “Defensive Folding Knife”, “General Defensive Handgun” From Insights Training Center.
- 2007. Completed “Concealed Carry Handgun” Training from Sig-Sauer Academy
- 2007. Coach for Intermediate Defensive Handgun, from Insights Training Center
- 2008. Completed “General Defensive Rifle” from Insights Training Center.
- 2008. Completed and coached “Handgun Retention and Disarm” from Insights Training Center.
- 2009. Completed Unarmed Self Defense II from Insights Training Center
- 2009. Certified by the NRA as Training Counselor
- 2009. Co-Instructor for “Close Quarters Confrontations” from Insights Training Center.
- 2010. Completed “High Risk Driving and EVOC: at Blackwater USA
- 2010. Completed “Custom Home Defense Pistol” training course at Blackwater USA
- 2010. Completed 2 day “Custom Rifle/AR Skills” course at Blackwater USA
- 2010. Completed “Shooting On The Move” From Sig Academy
- 2010. Completed “Shooting Outside Your Comfort Zone” from Sig Academy
- 2010. Completed “Defensive Folding Knife II” from Insights Training Center
- 2011. Counter Terrorism Driving Course from US Training Center/Blackwater USA
- 2011. Custom Defensive Handgun at US Training Center/Blackwater USA
- 2011. Certified RAAP Instructor for American Women’s Self Defense Association
- 2011. Custom Defensive Rifle at US Training Center/Blackwater USA
- 2012. Sig Sauer Academy – 2 day Defensive Shotgun
- 2012. Certified GLOCK Armorer
- 2012. Sig Sauer Academy – Skill Builder Rifle
- 2012. Sig Sauer Academy – 3 day Defensive Shotgun Instructor Training
- 2013. Combat Focus Shooting from Rob Pincus of ICE Training
- 2013. Rory Miller: Introduction to Violence: Dealing With Assault
- 2013. Rory Miller: Introduction to Violence: The Essentials
- 2014. Certified SABRE Personal Safety Academy Instructor
- 2014. Completed Ret Lt Col Dave Grossman’s “Officer Involved Shooting/PTSD/Combat Mindset”
- 2014. Completed Ret Lt Col Dave Grossman’s “Active Shooter Defense”
- 2014. NRA Advanced Defensive Pistol Instructor Rating
- 2014. Custom Rifle from Academi
- 2014. Custom Defensive Pistol from Academi
- 2014. GLOCK Certified Pistol Instructor
- 2015. Custom Rifle course from Academi
- 2015. Custom Defensive Vehicle Operation course from Academi.
- 2015. Custom Defensive Handgun course from Academi
- 2015. Appointed State Master Instructor for the Second Amendment Fundation’s Training Division (SAFTD)
- 2015. Defensive Handgun 1 Instructor for The Second Amendment Foundation’s Training Division (SAFTD)
- 2015. Defensive Handgun 1 from The Second Amendment Foundation’s Training Division (SAFTD)
- 2015. Sig Sauer Academy – Bullets on Vehicles course
- 2015. InSights Training Center: Defensive Folding Knife 2
- 2015. InSights Training Center: Defensive Folding Knife 1
- 2016. GSSF Civilian class winner. Twin Tiers Regional Classic. Pine City NY
- 2016. TECC Advanced Medical Response course with EMS Tactical
- 2016. USCCA Certified Instructor
- 2016. USCCA Certified Training Counselor
- 2017. Academi – Custom Instructor Training Development Course
- 2017. USCCA’s Countering the Mass Shooter Threat Instructor
- 2017. Completed the GLOCK Armorer’s Course
- 2017. Completed the GLOCK Operator’s Course. Level 4
- 2017. GSSF Civilian class winner. Empire State Regional Classic. Fulton, NY
- 2017. GSSF Civilian class winner. Twin Tiers Regional Classic III . Pine City NY
- 2017. Sig- Sauer Academy: Master Pistol Instructor course
- 2017. National Safety Council Instructor – First Aid/AED/CPR
- 2018. Completed Gabe White’s Pistol Shooting Solutions 2 days course. Dark Pin awarded
- 2018. Completed the NRA CCW Instructor/Training Counselor Training course.
- 2018. Completed ALICE Active Shooter Instructor training
- 2018. Completed Rangemaster’s Instructor course from Tom Givens
- 2018 Sig Sauer Academy: Dynamic Performance Pistol
- 2018 Todd Rassa: Home Protection Shotgun
- 2018 Todd Rassa: Advanced Home Protection Shotgun
- 2018 Handgun Combatives, LLC: Combative Pistol
- 2019 Handgun Combatives, LLC: Kinetic Combative Pistol
- 2019 Instructor Certification for Handgun Combatives, LLC
- 2019 Handgun Combatives, LLC: Adaptive Combat Pistol
- 2020 Handgun Combatives, LLC: Combat use of the MRDS
- 2020 Handgun Combatives, LLC: Instructor Update/Advanced Instructor Certification
- 2021 Completed Sig Academy Master Shotgun Instructor course. Master Shotgun title awarded
- 2021 Completed Red Dot Instructor course from Modern Samurai Project
- 2021 Completed Pistol Mounted Optics Instructor course at Sig Academy. Master MRDS Instructor /Top Shot awarded
- 2021 Completed MAG20 (Classroom) from Massad Ayoob
- 2021 TASER Civilian trainer certification
- 2022 Completed Sig Academy’s Pistol Mounted Optics course (Mater level awarded)
- 2022 Completed Sig Academy’s Custom Force on Force training course
- 2022 Assisted Dave Spaulding in weeklong Legacy Course
- 2023 UTM (Ultimate Training Munitions) Instructor certification
- 2023 SIMunitions Certified Instructor
- 2023 GLOCK Armorer Course
- 2023 Ed Monk Active Shooter Threat Training
- 2023 SIG Sauer P365 Armorer
- 2023 SIG Sauer P3200 Armorer
- 2023 Modern Samurai Project Red Dot course
- 2023 Sig Academy Reflexive Shooting Course
- 2024 Sig Academy Reflexive Shooting (second time!)
- 2024 Modern Samurai Project Red Dot Fundamentals
- 2024 Adaptive Defensive Shooting from John Holschen
- 2024 Glock Armorer Course
- 2024 USCCA Defensive Pistol Program (DPP) Certified Instructor
- 2025 USCCA DPP Training Counselor
- 2026 USCCA Non Lethal Program Certified Instructor
Policies
Cancellation Policy
Reschedule Policy
If Dave cancels your course, you may elect to receive a full refund or have your tuition held for a future course. Tuition must be redeemed within 1 year.
If YOU elect to reschedule within 30 days of a course, a $25 reschedule fee may apply. This would be dertermined on a case by case basis depending on class size and other factors
Refund Policy
There are no refunds within 30 days of a scheduled course. There are no exceptions.
Other Policy
By enrolling in any course or program offered by Rochester Personal Defense, LLC, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions. Please read this document carefully before participating in any training activities.
I understand that participation in self-defense and/or firearms training involves inherent risks, including but not limited to: physical injury, exposure to loud noises, contact with firearms and ammunition, physical exertion, and other activities that could result in bodily harm. I voluntarily choose to participate in these activities with full knowledge of the risks involved.
I understand and acknowledge that the activities involved in self-defense and firearms training carry inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. I voluntarily assume all risks of injury or illness that may result from my participation, including but not limited to: sprains, strains, fractures, hearing damage, eye injury, and other physical injuries.
In consideration of being allowed to participate in Rochester Personal Defense, LLC training activities, I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue Rochester Personal Defense, LLC, its owners, officers, instructors, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury that may be sustained by me during or as a result of my participation in any training activities.
All instructors at Rochester Personal Defense, LLC are United States citizens and maintain current certifications as required by applicable laws and regulations. Instructors hold various certifications including NRA Instructor certifications, NYS Pistol Permit Instructor certifications, and other relevant credentials. Rochester Personal Defense, LLC ensures that all instructors meet or exceed the training and certification requirements established by the State of New York and other relevant governing bodies.
Rochester Personal Defense, LLC is committed to protecting your privacy. Personal information collected during course registration is used solely for the purpose of administering courses, communicating with students, and fulfilling legal and regulatory requirements. We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to outside parties without your consent, except as required by law.
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