Become an F-RAT Certified Instructor

F-RAT instructors are trained and certified by Dr. Vecchi. Certification is earned in three levels, and each level adds responsibility. Fight-RAT: Close-Range Fighting is the base certification for every F-RAT instructor. Teaching Stick-RAT or Knife-RAT requires a Weapon Specialty, which only F-RAT Full Instructors can earn.

Who Can Apply

Graduates of Fight-RAT: Close-Range Fighting, with Dr. Vecchi’s approval. Instructor candidates sign a non-disclosure agreement and teach only from official RAT materials.

Designated RAT Apprentice Instructor

Apprentices complete the two-day F-RAT Basic Instructor Course, which covers methods of instruction, teach-back skills, and the execution of drills to standard. They work on mastering their teaching and fighting skills and assist Dr. Vecchi in teaching, both online and on the mat. Apprentices may also teach others with Dr. Vecchi’s permission.

Designated RAT Journeyman Instructor

Journeymen pass a knowledge test and a skills test, including a teach-back on each assigned block. They teach under Dr. Vecchi’s supervision, with access to the presentation decks and drills for the blocks they are assigned, and they run drill sessions and pressure drills.

Designated RAT Full Instructor

Full Instructors demonstrate the ability to teach the entire course, complete all drills to standard, and pass knowledge, skills, and instructional methods tests. They have access to all presentation decks, drills, and the instructor manual. They teach the full course on their own, within their own agency, school, or organization, and keep the fees for the courses they teach. Certification lasts three years.

Weapon Specialties

RAT combatives are divided into unarmed and armed. F-RAT is unarmed combatives and the base for all RAT combatives. Stick-RAT (impact weapons) and Knife-RAT (edged weapons) are armed combatives, and each adds a unique dimension that requires its own course. Both courses are open to any qualified student who has completed F-RAT. Teaching them requires a Weapon Specialty.

To earn a Weapon Specialty, an F-RAT Full Instructor must:

• Successfully complete Stick-RAT or Knife-RAT,
• Have Dr. Vecchi’s approval, and
• Pass a knowledge test, a skills test, and an instructional methods test for that course.

Weapon Specialties renew with the F-RAT Full Instructor certification.

Requirements and Fees

• Active F-RAT/S-RAT/K-RAT Instructor Support membership on the RAT Patreon at every instructor level
• Apprentice: F-RAT Basic Instructor Course ($300)
• Journeyman: knowledge and skills tests, including teach-backs ($200)
• Full Instructor: knowledge, skills, and instructional methods tests ($300)
• Each Weapon Specialty: knowledge, skills, and instructional methods tests ($300)
• Up to two years at each level before advancing
• Recertification every three years: knowledge, skills, and instructional methods tests, plus active Patreon membership ($300, covers all Weapon Specialties)

Certified instructors will be listed on the instructor page.