Who We Are
Ryan Burkett
Co-Founder and current owner: Ryan is the lead instructor currently a MD QHI, NRA CRSO, NRA Pistol Instructor, S&W Armorer, Sig Sauer Armorer, and Glock Armorer. Experienced in maintaining and servicing 250+ rentals, machine guns, and managing the rifle manufacturing process. Ryan also has a passion for photography and building firearms. Pistol & Carbine focused training.
Hunter Costa
Co-founder. Hunter serves as a consultant and an instructor based in VA.
Wayne Creadick
Instructor: Wayne, a prior elected official, has been a QHI since 2013 and is certified and experienced in teaching firearm safety and education, as well as emergency medical responses such as BCon, TECC. Wayne carries certifications under multiple disciplines. Wayne typically specializes in the law and new shooter realm.
Tim Rifenberg
Photography and Video: Tim is a freelance photographer who specializes in all types of photography and assists with video capture and production.
Why Us
We work to provide a setting where every question is a valid one. We have worked to design classes that will make you comfortable handling firearms in a group environment. We don't treat our students like a number, we like to build relationships.
Mantis Defense™ Origin Story
Mantis Defense was a concept created by Hunter and Ryan in college. With similar passions for everything firearm related, they wanted to know how they could make a positive impact in the 2a community. The Praying Mantis was chosen as the logo due to it's ability to blend into it's surroundings, as well as take down a bird. The original logo was designed to represent a "tag" that anyone could identify as.
Hunter and Ryan started with their first review video on a Deliberate Dynamics course and then moved into more gear and accessories. Friends have been brought in to assist over time, while Ryan carried the torch to continue pushing the business into marketing and media, as well as firearms training and education.
Wayne was added as a tenured instructor in 2020 who had a previous relationship with Ryan through their previous employment. Wayne and Ryan continue teaching, consulting, and developing their programs. Ryan continues to offer marketing, media, and consultation support for firearm industry professionals while continuing personalized training for shooters and students of all skills and ages.
Mission Statement
Here at Mantis Defense we believe you are your own worst enemy as well as your own best friend. Reliability is hard to come across, whether it's broken down to the parts that make it a whole, the fundamentals that lead to finesse, or the mental capacity that leads to knowledge. That's where we step in, we come to bring you honest reviews of what we have found that works best giving you greater speed, skill, knowledge, and success. We believe that by you learning your full potential it gives you the upper and only helping hand when no one else will be there to step in. Whether it's teaching someone proper firearm safety and learning to see it as a tool that needs to be respected, or teaching someone who wants to better themselves at a higher level, Mantis Defense is your answer. We are everyday people like you that know society is not for the weak and it will eat you alive. Train hard, broaden your mind, and you will always be able to answer and become your own best friend who has your back when you are left alone.
ADAPT TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT.