The Sheepdog Project, LLc
Who we are
We are a team of well-trained, passionate firearm instructors. We believe strongly in the Second Amendment and exercising that right responsibly. We do not take our responsibility or our right to bear arms lightly, so we prepare for every situation, heavily.
Our mission
Our mission is to teach law-abiding citizens how to defend themselves against the lion and the wolf. When you’re looking to get quality training, be sure to do your homework and verify the people teaching are qualified to do so. We provide top-of-the-line firearm safety and self-defense instruction to empower individuals and organizations.
Certified
The members of our team have received certifications in firearm instruction, firearm safety and more from the the NRA, Pennsylvania State Police and/or other accredited entities. This distinction sets us apart from other firearm instructors and we take this honor seriously.
Meet our Instructors
Meet the team providing excellent firearms safety and tactical training
Ron Gilkey
Ron is a U.S. Navy Veteran of the first Gulf War and while serving with the Reserve Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit Det. 409, was activated and deployed with EODMU8 as a Basic Underwater Demolition First Class Navy Diver for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001.
He worked for the PA Department of Corrections for 16 ½ years with the last 5 being dedicated to the Hostage Rescue Team as a certified Law Enforcement Explosive Breacher. During that time, he was attending Butler County Community College where he earned his degree in Criminal Justice. In 2009, he was hired as a PA State Parole Agent with the PA Board of Probation and Parole and is currently a State Parole Supervisor / Firearms Instructor.
Throughout the past 15 years, he has taught Basic Defensive Tactics, Advanced Defensive Tactics, Handgun and Shotgun classes in the PA Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole and in the private sector as well. He has been certified by Red Cell International, Corp. Tactical Operator’s Course, NYPD for their HIDTA I & II Dynamic Entry Course, NTOA for Basic SWAT, Tactical Security Network, Inc. for Law Enforcement Tactical Explosive Breaching, the PA Hostage Rescue Team as an Operator/Explosive Breacher. He is currently certified by the NRA as a Law Enforcement Handgun/Shotgun Instructor, the Pennsylvania State Police as a Firearms Instructor, an Act235 Agent and a RLEOSA Firearms Recertification Instructor. He is also a Certified Glock Armorer.
Ron is a Lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, the NRA as well as a 32nd degree Master Mason. He is also a Distinguished Graduate of the Front Sight Firearms Training Institute where he maintains a Presidential membership.
Michael Skiba
Mike is a former Green Beret having served in the US Army 7th Special Forces Group. He was assigned to Operational Detachment A-Team 722 as a Special Operations Weapons Sergeant and Special Operations Communications Sergeant with 3 tours of duty. Mike worked his way through college as a Nationally Registered Paramedic on an Advanced Life Support Ambulance responding to emergencies in our community for 12 years. He was also served as a Registered Nurse in an Emergency Department for 6 years. Continuing his dedication to protecting and serving our community, Mike has been a Law Enforcement Agent with the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole as a Parole Agent and a Parole Supervisor for the past 18 years.
Throughout his various career paths, Mike has been certified to instruct multiple disciplines in the medical field (i.e. EMT, BTLS, ACLS, PALS, Paramedic Instructor and CPR/AED First Aid Instructor), as well as the Law Enforcement field (i.e. OC Spray Instructor, Taser Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor and Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor through PPCT, Handgun / Shotgun Firearms Instructor by the PA DOC Hostage Rescue Team, Firearms Instructor by the PA Board of Probation and Parole, Municipal Police Firearms Instructor by the Pennsylvania State Police) AND he’s a Certified Glock Armorer.