Daniel McDowell

 

 
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Co-Owner/VP, Astrid Defense

As the co-owner of Astrid Defense, Dan serves as Astrid’s Senior Range Safety Officer. The vast majority of his life has been thoroughly involved in aviation literally from the ground up. In late 2016 he saw the need for better safety training of beginner shooters. Working with his dynamic wife Jennifer, together they designed and develop and built Astrid Defense.

Dan McDowell is passionate about safety in all aspects of life, but especially where firearms for defense, competition, and fun are used. He brings that passion to the fore as he helps to train shooters of all skill levels to develop excellent safety habits and practices. The foundation of his interest in safety training was learned during his career in the USAF and with the airlines.

He serves annually as a volunteer with the Minnesota DNR Youth Firearms Safety and Field Day. He strongly believes in maintaining skillset currency and growing those skills often Below are some of the tactical shooting and defensive courses he has completed with military, law enforcement and civilian master instructors.

One of Dan’s favorite quote is:

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” –Aristotle

Some of Daniel’s Training & Certifications include:

  • Anti-Carjacking Workshop (IKMF 2021)

  • Defensive Shooting Workshop (IKMF 2021)

  • Stop the Bleed/Basic Life Support/Stop the Bleed (Cottage Grove Fire Department 2021)

  • National Pistol Instructor Certification (NRA 2021)

  • Tactical Shooting Course (IKMF 2019)

  • First Aid For First Responders (2019)

  • Military Instructors Course (IKMF 2018)

  • Anti-abduction and Anti-carjacking Seminar (2018)

  • Advanced Judgement Training (2018)

  • AR for Home Defense (2018)

  • NRA Certification- Range Safety Officer 2016-recertification (2020)

  • Has served in the USAF and ANG

  • Official Cookie Taster