Meet Your Instructors
Experienced, Certified, and Committed to your growth. Our team of instructors are here
to guide you every step of the way.
Robert Cardente
Director of Education and Training
Robert is a retired detective with over 20 years of law enforcement experience and a distinguished background in tactical operations and investigations. Throughout his career, he served on the Special Response Team (SWAT), worked as a detective in the Pawtucket Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, and held roles as an investigator with the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and as a forensic analyst with the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit.
Robert has extensive expertise in tactical training, firearms instruction, active shooter response, and digital forensics. He has led or assisted in hundreds of search warrants and criminal investigations across the state, earning a reputation for being both passionate and tenacious.
He is an FBI Certified Pistol and Shotgun Instructor, a Glock Certified Pistol and Sig Sauer Certified Low Light Instructor, and a Sig Sauer Shoothouse and Active Shooter Instructor. He also holds credentials from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) as an Active Shooter Threat Instructor, is a Safariland Certified Rifle Instructor, a L.O.C.K.U.P. Certified Use of Force and Handcuffing Instructor, and a certified armorer for Glock, Colt, and Remington platforms.
Robert has trained countless police officers, security personnel, academy recruits and SWAT operators in handgun, shotgun, and rifle use, as well as in defensive tactics, handcuffing techniques, and baton procedures. He has taught across the state of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut and served as an instructor at the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy.
On the civilian side, Robert is an NRA Training Counselor and holds 11 NRA instructor certifications in areas including Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Firearm Safety, Chief Range Safety Officer, Personal Protection In and Outside the Home, Refuse to Be a Victim, NRA CCW, and both Metallic and Shotgun Shell Reloading. As a Training Counselor, he is also qualified to certify new instructors in these disciplines.
In addition, Robert is certified through the USCCA in Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals, Defensive Shooting Fundamentals – Level 1, and Countering the Mass Shooter Threat. He also holds instructor certifications in USCCA Women’s Handgun and Self-Defense Fundamentals and Emergency First Aid Fundamentals, and is certified as a Utah and Massachusetts Certified Firearms Instructor.
Meet the Team Behind the Training
In addition to Robert Cardente, The Range Academy is proud to have a team of highly qualified instructors with diverse backgrounds in law enforcement, military, and civilian training. Each brings unique experience, professional certifications, and a shared passion for helping studentsbuild confidence and real-world skills.
Sherry Pratt
Sherry is a passionate firearms enthusiast who firmly supports the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms for self-defense. She is an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, and Home Firearm Safety, as well as a Chief Range Safety Officer. She also teaches NRA Personal Protection in the Home and NRA CCW courses and is a Massachusetts Certified Firearms Instructor.
Sherry has continued to grow her expertise with USCCA instructor certifications in Women’s Handgun and Self-Defense Fundamentals, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Concealed Carry and Home Defense, and Defensive Shooting Fundamentals – Level 1. She is also certified in Stop the Bleed and CPR/AED.
Holding a Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Utah Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit, Sherry encourages others to pursue their own CCW permits and become responsibly armed. Outside of teaching, she enjoys time at the range and riding the trails with her beloved horse.
Derek Brodeur
Derek discovered his passion for firearms over 20 years ago while pheasant hunting with his Brittany Spaniel, and that passion has since evolved into a deep commitment to firearms education and Second Amendment advocacy.
A proud NRA member, Derek holds instructor certifications in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, CCW, Personal Protection in the Home, Home Firearm Safety, and serves as a Chief Range Safety Officer. As a USCCA Instructor, he is certified in Concealed Carry and Home Defense, Women’s Handgun and Self-Defense, Emergency First Aid, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, and Defensive Shooting Fundamentals – Level 1.
Derek is certified in Stop the Bleed, has completed advanced defensive handgun training, and holds concealed carry permits in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Utah, and Massachusetts—where he is also a certified firearm safety instructor. When he's not teaching, Derek is often at the Rhode Island State House standing alongside other advocates to protect and preserve Second Amendment rights.
Shawn Driscoll
Shawn retired from the Pawtucket Police Department at the rank of Major following 24 years of service. He served in a variety of assignments during his career, including the the officer-in-charge of the Training Division, Office of Professional Standards, and the Patrol Division as well as the executive officer of the Detective Division. He was also a member of the Special Response Team (SWAT) and served as the sniper element team leader for six years.
Shawn is an FBI certified pistol and shotgun instructor as well as a Safariland patrol rifle instructor. He held certifications as a Glock pistol armorer, Colt rifle armorer, Sig Sauer shoothouse instructor, Taser instructor, and L.O.C.K.U.P. use of force instructor. He was also a Robbery Response and Building Search instructor at the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy.
Shawn obtained certification as an active shooter threat instructor from both the Sig Sauer Academy and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). With this training Shawn was able to co-develop Pawtucket’s program of instruction that was offered to local businesses, faith groups, private citizen organizations and all municipal employees. He also started Rhode Island’s first rescue task force response to active threats in partnership with the local fire department and a local business which was recognized as a model of cooperation between public agencies and private business.
Shawn is a graduate of Providence College and the Roger Williams University School of Law. He currently serves as the Director of Security at Mother Earth Wellness, Rhode Island’s premier vertically integrated cannabis dispensary.
Robert Shields
Bob has over three decades of emergency medical and rescue experience to the team. He has served in the fire service since 1985, has been teaching EMT courses since 1988, and became a Nationally Registered Paramedic in 1989. Since 2000, he has also served as a Water Team Rescue Coordinator, leading countless emergency response efforts and life-saving interventions.
In addition to his field experience, Bob is a published author, respected lecturer, and contributor to various EMS and rescue training programs, with expertise in water rescue and advanced rescue techniques.
A proud Eagle Scout, Bob continues to give back to the community as a dedicated volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor.
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