The Meritorious Foundation is well known for its Veterans, Guns & Cigars events nationwide, bringing together hundreds of active-duty service members, local executives, and wounded warriors for a day of networking and competitive shooting. Many military spouses join these events eager to learn and participate. Building on this interest and the success of our events, we are proud to launch a free Military Spouse Basic Training Course as part of our programming.

Ready, Aim, Empower trains and certifies military spouses through small-group sessions, including CCW certification. Program impact is measured through participant completion and retention, along with pre- and post-session assessments in firearm safety, marksmanship fundamentals, range protocol, confidence, and competency. It is also supported by pre- and post-program surveys to measure overall value and continued interest in the shooting sports.

Spouses train and network alongside veterans, active duty service members, and civilian mentors, reinforcing unity between the military and surrounding communities. By learning directly from certified professionals, participants become advocates for safety and respect for firearms, setting a positive example in their broader networks. Introducing more women and military spouses to competitive shooting diversifies and enriches the marksmanship community while strengthening connections between military families, veterans, and local shooting organizations.