Our Instructor

The training programs we offer here at Alaska Tactical are designed by Steve McDaniel personally, to help you protect yourself and your loved ones, and to give you the knowledge and skills to safely operate your firearm with confidence. Steve says we work on both sides of the spectrum, physically and mentally.  “The mind is your weapon, the firearm is the power delivery system”.

About the Owner

Steve McDaniel

Steve McDaniel Owner/Instructor Alaska TacticalSteve McDaniel, owner and lead operator of Alaska Tactical and Security was raised in Alaska with his two older brothers. Steve has been working and training in the firearm industry for over 40 years and was taught about firearms by his father, a three-war veteran and All-Army pistol champion, at a very early age.

Steve’s mother was born in Japan and met Steve’s father after the Korean War. With his father’s weaponry and military influences and his mother’s Japanese heritage and disciplines, Steve McDaniel and Alaska Tactical quickly became the go-to location for Alaskans looking for quality personal defensive, tactical firearms training, and gunsmithing.

Steve holds certifications in the Colt and Glock Armor courses in addition to being a National Rifle Association (NRA) certified instructor, and a law enforcement division (LED) instructor in each discipline offered by the NRA/LED.

Shortly after opening Alaska Tactical in 2000, Steve built his own range on forty-five acres just outside Anchorage, where Steve and his instructors and coaches teach handgun, carbine, select-fire, and shotgun. Having learned the disciplines of shooting from his father, Steve took his first formal class in 1984 and has since trained with many of the industries pioneers. Jeff Cooper, Louie Awerbuck, Clint Smith, Chuck Taylor, Bill Jeans, Pat Rogers, Mike Pennone, Frank Proctor, Scott Jedlinski, and Ted Smith. With the mentorship and guidence of Louie Awerbuck, Steve became an instructor at Gunsite Academy and after Louie’s death, Steve was asked by Leigh, Louie’s significant other and heart and soul, to take over his training academy, Yavapai Firearms Academy. Steve accepted the honor and traveled nationally, training Louie’s students and became an instructor with Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch.

In addition to his firearms training, Steve holds the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in Hojutsu-Ryu, the art of training with modern firearms and traditional martial arts. He also holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) with Tanaka’s Martial Arts Academy where his mother enrolled him in 1976 with Sensei Tanaka where he actively studies today, and holds the rank of Nidan with the USA National Karate Federation (USA-NKF), and has his rank sanctioned by the US Olympic Committee.

Steve is married to his lovely wife Katie and is father to his stepdaughter and twin daughters who also share Steve’s passion for tactical training. When you find Steve on the range, you’ll notice the range decks are named in honor of pasted companions, Ruger, Tank, and Lola. You are also most likely to meet his best friend “Slade”, who follows him everywhere he’s allowed.

Learn from the Best

Steve McDaniel’s Credentials

Alaska State Certified Firearms Instructor
Thunder Ranch Adjunct Instructor
Yavapai Firearms Academy Instructor
Former Gunsite Academy Instructor
PSC Edged Weapon Instructor
Modern Samurai Project 

Hojutsu-Ryu Instructor
Shito-Ryu Karate Instructor
Comprehensive Technical & Tactical Solutions
Learn to Return
Morrigan Consulting

NRA Law Enforcement Certified
ᵒ Tactical Shooting:
Pistol
Shotgun
Patrol Rifle
Select Fire
Sub-Machine Gun