Attended the Weapon Deployment/Weapon Retention class taught by John Petrone this past Saturday. Thought it would be a good class for concealed carry and it did NOT disappoint! John’s teaching style is a great mix of demonstration and facilitation that is direct, easy to follow and understand, entertaining, and downright effective. The class consisted of concealed carry, private security, and law enforcement folks offering a good variety of use cases to discuss. IMHO… This class should be mandatory for all law enforcement that’s carrying a weapon and you operator types. I’ve only done the one class (so far), but if you’re looking to learn practical self-defense that actually works, go learn from John! Thanks for the great class John, I learned a ton!

I have learned so much over the years. I am honored to be one of your students. I appreciate your attention to detail on form. The knowledge you give to us is valuable on a day to day basis. Especially in these crazy times. Thank you John.Osu!

Shihan John knows his stuff and knows how to express his knowledge in a way that anybody can understand. I would highly recommend you come and see what Im talking about!

John Petrone’s DICTATE Weapon Defense/Weapon Retention Course elevated me to a new level of self-defense whether I’m armed or not.

I have been able to apply what I learn here to my job. The instructor is able to adjust techniques based on the individuals needs, citizen in a self defense situation, security for clubs/bars or law enforcement to control a person while minimizing the injury to the person. The instructor also keeps up with current laws and bills and adjusts training to fit this. Because of the training Ive received here I can confidently perform my job.

Amazing all around. Prepares you for everything life can throw at you. Glad I found this place. John is a great teacher. Come check it out.

John really listened to my problems and helped accordingly

One of the best if not the best school in self defense... BY far the most practical self defense systems you will ever know... his system covers everything and is proven... I only wish they had a school in Tampa Florida

I have been beyond thrilled with the experiences I’ve had at Dictate Tactical Training Center. My overall mindset about my own personal protection has been incredibly enhanced by what Shihan John teaches. He is incredibly knowledgeable and has an unsurpassed passion for what he is doing. I am very comfortable recommending this business to anyone who wants to improve their overall fitness and anyone wanting to learn simple, easy to use self-protection tactics. Ages 5 and up can, and will, benefit from the understanding of, and practice of, not only the concepts but also the actual mechanics of defending oneself from a variety of real world scenarios.

Highly recommend if you are serious about getting into shape, losing weight, or just increasing your overall conditioning. The instructor will push you past the point that you would push yourself, resulting in one of the best workouts you will ever experience. You never finish a workout here with regrets of stepping through that front door. Its not easy but the results are undeniable!

I spent many years looking for this kind of training. The military brought me to Colorado Springs to do federal law enforcement and offered me a chance to experience the training offered by this program. I’ve been sticking with it ever since and I love it. It works, it’s simple to learn, it’s realistic, and applies to anyone in any situation against any attacker. Seriously, as someone who has sees reality happen on the job, this training saves lives.

Real world training is what you will find here. The self defense classes are efficient and effective methods for defense against real attackers. The fitness classes are also spot on for getting in shape--a mix of boxing, thai boxing and other high intensity training. My only regret is that I dont get there often enough.

Ms Rizzo. The person you are complaining about threatened the people who were in the school and was high on drugs. I went out to make sure he left. Yes, I did say that to Hansel on the way back in because I was extremely worked up that someone would do that, especially when the kids are there. That said, Hansel is a student as well and I talked to him after and was more than forgiven. We had a good laugh about it actually. Two New Yorkers who understand each other very well. I understand your concerns but a complete story is necessary to understand the entire situation. I am sorry that was your first night, I was hoping to work with your son. Im sure I could have gotten him over his shyness. Good luck to you both in your search.

My daughter has been coming to this place for a year and 3 months and I thought she will hate it since it consist of a lot of physical training but surprisingly she liked it very much even though she is the only girl in the class. Kids having a skill in self defense is a good one to have especially in this time.

Over the past 35 years I have studied taekwondo, jutitsu, and kenpo karate, but nothing I have ever experienced compares to the Vee-Arnis-Jitsu system and its effectiveness in practical street application. If you desire to pickup in a few weeks what takes others years to learn, I highly recommend you do some research and come down to the training center and see for yourself.

Absolutely killer work out and great training. They really go through and explain the moves and what you have to do. You repete each move numerous times till you get it down. Instructer knows what he is doing and puts real life situations in the training.

Brought my 5 year old son in for his first class.... no complaints about the lesson really, the guy who runs the place was a bit cold to the kids he was teaching, but was a hard ass too, which I think could be a great thing if you balance it with kindness (which he did not). My biggest issue was after the kids class, he had some altercation with a guy interested in taking classes there and followed him outside to fight him! The instructor, whom I wanted to hire to teach my child self discipline and control, taunted some guy and then proceeded to follow him out to fight him! Then when his adult student tried to help, he insulted him in front of the rest of the class saying, if he ever needed his help hed shoot himself first. I was blown away by the lack of discipline and self control the guy running the place showed. I came on a recommendation and was severely disappointed by his lack of professionalism.

“DICTATE” offers THE MOST PRAGMATIC and realistic tactical/self-defense training I have experienced, in all the years I have studied violence and trained to combat it. Shihan Petrone has something to offer everyone - from the naive novice to the seasoned veteran (and even the degreed black belt or martial arts instructor). If you are serious about taking your training to the “next level”, or making your skill set more relevant, then you owe it to yourself to attend a DICTATE seminar. You won’t regret it.

I have been training here for nearly 3 years now. Shihan John is a great instructor. He breaks it down until you understand what he is teaching you step by step. He will push to become better he sees what you can become not where you are at. His instructions having given me great confidents in myself. He teaches with great passion and you get the best instrustor you have seen. OSU.

My family have been working out and training with Shihan John Petrone for many years. The workouts are tough and the benefits are amazing. My parents are in their 60s and are very active and healthy, largely due to the work they do with Shihan. They especially appreciate that he doesnt tone down the workouts to accommodate their ages, but lets them know hes confident they are capable of completing a tough routine, no matter how old they are. I have earned a black belt studying with Shihan. My younger brother Peter has a black belt in MMA and is working toward a black belt in Vee-Arnis-Jiu_Jitsu with Shihan, as well. We are very grateful to Shihan John Petrone for all he has done for us and consider him part of our family.

I, and my nine-year old, have been regular students of Vee Arnis Jujitsu for over two years now. I cant recommend the school or the program of instruction enough. Shihan John is an intense, knowledgeable professional who feels a personal responsibility to his students.With regards to the incident cited by Ms. Rizzo, I was in attendance and witnessed the incident. The gentleman in question was obviously distressed in some manner and was requesting training that is not available in our school in a belligerent manner. When informed mutliple times that he was in the wrong place, he threatened to spit on the floor of our dojo. At that point, John, understandably got upset and told him to leave. The gentleman then went outside and continued to interact with John in an escalatory manner. John stepped outside and, in an admittedly animated manner, sent the gentleman on his way.Johns manner, while abrupt and intimidating, served a purpose. It removed the distressed gentleman from the environment without harm to the kids, the other students, or the gentleman in question.This incident is uncommon and an isolated event.

Great workout sessions and pragmatic self defense instruction

The only regret you will have is not showing up for the classes.

Realistic effective training for the street