Leadership Under Fire: Nicky Dare Emerges as a Rare Female Indonesian-American Force in Tactical Firearms Instruction

Los Angeles, California Apr 23, 2025 (Issuewire.com) In a space where few women are certified and even fewer lead, Nicky Dare is reshaping what tactical leadership looks like. As an Indonesian-American of Dutch descent, Dare brings a rare perspective to firearms instruction. A certified firearms instructor, Range Safety Officer (RSO), and founder of iDARE®, Dare has trained communities in crisis preparedness, firearms safety, and situational awareness for nearly three decades.

Her journey started not in uniform, but in survival.

As a college student, I survived a violent home invasion after being stalked, Dare says. Fear didnt silence me. It trained me.

In 1997, she enrolled in her first firearms certification coursea 4-day rifle intensive where she was the only woman in a class of law enforcement and military professionals. She hasnt stopped training since. From the Nevada desert to Alaskas remote ranges, Dare has earned advanced certifications across rifle, shotgun, handgun, and active shooter preparedness platforms.

I didnt grow up with a rifle in my hand, Dare explains. I earned my place on the range, in the classroom, and in every drill.

Today, Dare teaches multi-disciplinary firearms courses and tactical readiness classes in California and internationally. As an Indonesian-American woman of Dutch descent, her presence in the field is both rare and necessarybringing representation and lived experience to an industry historically dominated by men.

From televised safety briefings on SCTV to features in Western Outdoor News, NAWRB, IAW, and The Signal, Dares work has reached platforms where crisis preparedness, womens leadership, and resilience converge. These organizations dont just highlight voicesthey help raise public awareness on what truly saves lives when it matters most.

Every certification I earned wasnt just a credential, she says. It was a promise that no one else around me would ever be unprepared.