About Shieldwall Tactical Protection Academy

Compliance-driven security training built by working instructors for real-world duty. We serve Alabama and Tennessee, with additional regional and nationwide offerings so officers, teams, and organizations can train with confidence and meet the right standards the first time.

Your Success Is Our Mission.

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About the Company

Shieldwall Tactical Protection Academy (STPA) serves the Service Area: Birmingham, AL Metro Area, with courses offered across Alabama and Tennessee and select regional/nationwide programs. We specialize in unarmed and armed security officer certification and practical specialty training for churches, businesses, and organizations.

Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Carla J. Lee and Frank H. Lee, STPA delivers practical, standards-aligned instruction with clear next steps and documentation.

Mission: Your Success Is Our Mission.

Affiliations & Credentials

Aligned with Alabama and Tennessee security officer requirements, with additional regional and nationwide programs.

Alignment with Alabama Security Regulatory Board (ASRB) and Tennessee Private Protective Services (PPS) requirements for unarmed and armed security officers.
Courses led by a team of certified instructors including Frank H. Lee (CT-2 Certified Trainer – ASRB; Certified Security Trainer – TN PPS), Carla J. Lee (NRA Certified Instructor – pistol, rifle, shotgun; women-only programs and marksmanship development), and Shaun J. Vance (AL CT-2 Certified Trainer, NRA Firearms Instructor, corrections and contract-security background).
Instructor credentials across NRA firearms disciplines, ASP less-lethal (OC, baton, restraints), Active Shooter / Active Threat Response, and De-Escalation Training to support modern security and protection roles.
Course materials designed for classroom delivery, with many modules also available live online; clear documentation, qualification standards, and packet support for licensing and renewals.

Founders & Team

Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Carla J. Lee and Frank H. Lee. Meet the people behind STPA.

Carla J. Lee

Co-Founder; Owner, General Manager & Instructor; NRA Certified Instructor (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun)

Carla co-founded STPA with her husband, Frank, and leads operations, student experience, and women-only courses. Born into a military family and the daughter of two police officers, she grew up around radios and range safety, talking on a radio by age four and learning to shoot by twelve. She served six years in 911 dispatch for the Atlanta metro area before moving into 911 systems senior test engineering supporting first-responder communications, experience that shapes her clear, systems-minded approach to training logistics and quality.

A longtime victim-advocacy volunteer (12 years) and survivor herself, Carla designs courses that are practical, supportive, and confidence-building, especially for new shooters and women seeking safe, responsible skills. She is an NRA Certified Instructor in pistol, rifle, and shotgun and leads STPA’s women-only firearms courses and marksmanship development programs (including Women On Target and other women-focused offerings). She also assists with unarmed and armed security officer training. Day to day, she owns class scheduling and logistics, student onboarding, and documentation quality so individuals and organizations have a smooth, professional training experience.

Frank H. Lee

Co-Founder; Chief Training Officer, Operations Manager & Lead Instructor

Frank co-founded STPA and leads the academy’s compliance-driven, scenario-based training and documentation standards. He served five years as a fire-service Training Officer and nine years in the U.S. Army before transitioning to private and contract security and the Department of Homeland Security / Federal Protective Service, providing specialized security inside federal facilities. He brings deep executive-protection experience with senators, members of Congress, senior corporate officials, response to terrorist threats, protection of sensitive and restricted locations, and high-risk terminations.

Frank completed DHS Weapons Detection and Counterterrorism training and the FPS National Protective Security Officer Training program and previously served as a Combat Lifesaver in the U.S. Army. He is a CT-2 Certified Trainer with the Alabama Security Regulatory Board and a Certified Security Trainer (Unarmed, Armed, Dallas’s Law) with Tennessee Private Protective Services (TN DCI). He also serves as an ASP Tactical Weapons Instructor (baton, restraints, flashlight, OC), NRA Certified Instructor (pistol, rifle, shotgun, personal protection) and Chief Range Safety Officer, Active Shooter Training Instructor, and De-Escalation Training Instructor. At STPA he oversees curriculum design, live-fire qualifications, and inclusive instruction for students of all backgrounds, including veterans and people with disabilities or other limiting conditions.

Shaun J. Vance

Instructor; AL CT-2 Certified Trainer & NRA Firearms Instructor

Shaun supports firearms instruction, range safety, and student coaching at STPA. He began as an apprentice security trainer in July 2024, completed an 8-hour Leadership Development Course on December 3, 2024, and finished the 12-hour “Train the Trainer” Instructor Development course on January 20, 2025 after a six-month apprenticeship. His background includes Alabama Department of Corrections service as a Corrections Supervisor (2017–2022) and contract security. Certifications include APOST, Active Shooter/Elevated Threat Response, De-Escalation, OC Spray, First Aid/CPR-AED, Handcuffing, Unarmed Combatives, Takedown Techniques, MEB/ASP Baton, Homeland Security Screening, Counter-Terrorism, Risk Assessment, NERC CIP, and Security Site Supervision at High-Risk Sites.

Training Overview

Courses span Alabama and Tennessee requirements, with select regional and nationwide offerings.

Alabama (ASRB) Security Officer

ALSOBT8 – Basic/Unarmed Security Officer (8 hours) with end-of-course written exam (minimum 70 percent to qualify for licensing documentation).
ALASOT6 – Armed Security Officer (6 hours): approximately 4 hours classroom and 2 hours range with live-fire qualification, conducted per ASRB standards. Training and qualification are normally completed the same day for efficiency.
Armed Amendment / Upgrade support for current unarmed license holders who complete the armed course and qualification, including application packet assembly when requested.
Renewals / Refreshers including ALASR8U – Security Officer Intermediate Training (unarmed refresher), ALASR2A – Armed Security Officer Refresher, and board-approved ALRQ handgun qualification.

Tennessee (PPS) Security Officer

Unarmed – 4 hours with written exam. Remote/virtual classroom available.
Armed – 8 hours classroom with written exam.
Armed Marksmanship – 4 hours range live-fire training to complete the armed requirement.
Live-Fire Qualification (weapon-specific). Handgun and 12-ga shotgun available.
Dallas’s Law – 4 hours (initial; required where alcohol is consumed), covering de-escalation, safe restraint, and alcohol-related risk topics. CPR/First Aid certification is obtained separately through approved providers.
Refreshers: Unarmed (2 hours), Armed (4 hours), Dallas’s Law (4 hours).
Active Shooter / Active Threat Response for applicable Tennessee posts, including K–12 school requirements, available in person and live remote.

NRA & Defensive Programs

NRA FIRST Steps – Pistol and Rifle (introductory).
NRA Basics – Pistol and Rifle.
NRA Personal Protection In The Home (defensive handgun).
NRA Range Safety Officer (RSO).
NRA New Shooter Seminar (safety primer).
Women On Target (women-focused program).
Active Shooter / Active Threat Response.
Advanced Pistol (Levels I–III) and Advanced Rifle.
Church/Business Security Training & Consulting.

Security Teams & Specialized Programs

Church & Business Security Team Training focused on prevention, response, and liability-aware practices for volunteer and professional teams.
Active Shooter / Active Threat Response for leadership, staff, and security personnel, with practical drills and decision-making under stress.
Tactical Weapons Training for handgun, rifle, and shotgun tailored to duty and protective roles.
De-Escalation Training for supervisors, officers, and team members to manage conflict, reduce force, and support safer outcomes in the field.

Less-Lethal & Control Skills

OC Spray Training – deployment, effects, policy considerations, and post-exposure care for modern security and law-enforcement environments.
Expandable Baton Training – carrying, presentation, and strike mechanics with an emphasis on control, target selection, and documentation.
Handcuffing & Restraint Training – safe, lawful application of restraints, team tactics, and positional safety while minimizing risk to officers and subjects.
Tactical Flashlight Training – low-light search techniques, communication, and integration with firearms and hands-on control skills.

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Our Approach

Straightforward. Practical. Compliant. We focus on skills you will actually use and align them to the right standards.

Compliance-Driven

Aligned to ASRB (Alabama) and TN PPS (Tennessee). We monitor updates and refresh course materials to stay current.

Practical & Scenario-Focused

Clear examples and realistic scenarios build judgment and confidence for real tours and posts.

Professional Presentation

Modern, readable course materials designed for classroom and online delivery, with easy next steps after training.

Who We Serve

From new applicants to seasoned professionals and organizations.

Individuals

Applicants and working officers seeking initial licensing, renewals, or skills upgrades.

Companies & Facilities

Security providers and sites that need compliant, consistent training for teams and shifts.

Churches & Organizations

Tailored training for leadership and volunteer teams focused on prevention, response, and liability-aware practices.

Compliance First

Aligned with Alabama Security Regulatory Board (ASRB) and Tennessee Private Protective Services (PPS). We maintain current references and update materials when rules change.

Modern Materials

Textbook-style slides with clear wording, instructor notes, quizzes, and LMS-ready structure for online delivery.

Range Standards

Board-approved qualification courses, safety briefings, and documentation with clear pass/fail criteria and remedial guidance.

Service Area

Birmingham, AL Metro Area, with Tennessee offerings and select regional/nationwide courses.

Default: Service Area: Birmingham, AL Metro Area

We also host classes across Alabama and Tennessee and can arrange mobile training for agencies and organizations.

Reach STPA

Phone: 205-753-6998

Email: info@shieldwalltpa.com

Service Area: Birmingham, AL Metro Area

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Next Steps

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