Facts checked October 6, 2026

Press kit

For editors, writers, and anyone who keeps a list or directory of rifle schools. Accurate facts, descriptions you can paste, founder bios, photos and logos.

Use anything on this page in your article, list or directory. You don't need to ask first. If you need something that isn't here, email info@thecadretraining.com.

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Descriptions in three lengths

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One sentence 32 words

The Cadre is a precision rifle school started in 2024 by three Marine Scout Sniper instructors, teaching civilians, hunters, competitive shooters, military and law enforcement at one instructor for every four students.

Short 56 words

The Cadre is a precision rifle school founded in 2024 by Marine Scout Snipers Phil Velayo, Matt Solowynsky and Jon Bumpus, who all taught at the Corps' Scout Sniper schools. Courses run in three levels: Foundation, Advanced and Performance. Classes keep one instructor for every four students. Students include hunters, competitors, civilians, military and law enforcement.

Long 123 words

The Cadre is a precision rifle school founded in 2024 by three Marine Scout Snipers.

Phil Velayo (CEO) taught about 350 snipers as a marksmanship instructor at 1st Marine Division Scout Sniper School and won the 2018 Precision Rifle Series (PRS) Finale. Matt "Solo" Solowynsky (COO) was Chief Instructor at the Scout Sniper Instructor School in Quantico. Jon Bumpus (Chief Training Officer), a Recon Marine with two combat deployments to Afghanistan, taught at the Basic Reconnaissance Course and the Scout Sniper Schoolhouse at Camp Pendleton.

Courses run in three levels: Foundation, Advanced and Performance. Classes keep one instructor for every four students. Hunters, competitors, civilians, military and law enforcement have trained with The Cadre in Wyoming, Alaska, North Carolina, California, Texas and Utah.

Reference

Quick facts

Name
The Cadre (The Cadre Training Group)
Founded
2024
Founders
  • Phil Velayo, CEO
  • Matt "Solo" Solowynsky, COO
  • Jon Bumpus, Chief Training Officer
Spelling
Phillip "Phil" Velayo, two Ls in Phillip. Matt "Solo" Solowynsky. Jon Bumpus, no "h" in Jon. Matt and Jon are still serving in the Marine Corps, so please don't call the founders retired or former. "Marine Scout Snipers" is accurate for all three.
What we teach
Precision rifle, in three levels: Foundation (Level 1, no prerequisite), Advanced (Level 2) and Performance (Level 3, competition prep). One-on-one training is also available. Course details
Who we teach
Civilians, hunters, competitive shooters, military and law enforcement.
Class size
One instructor for every four students.
Where

We teach at host ranges. Classes have run in Wyoming, Alaska, North Carolina, California, Texas and Utah.

On the schedule as of October 6, 2026: Gravestone Precision Shooting in Lipan, Texas (November 2026) and Maysville, North Carolina (April through August 2027). Current dates and locations

Instructors
The roster changes, so please check it before you name anyone other than the founders. Current instructors
Website
thecadretraining.com
Instagram
@thecadre.training
Podcast
The Cadre Podcast

Founders

Phil, Matt and Jon

All three taught at Marine Corps Scout Sniper schools. Bios are written to drop into an article as-is.

Portrait of Phil Velayo

Phil Velayo

CEO · Cody, Wyoming

Phillip "Phil" Velayo had never held a rifle before he joined the Marine Corps in 2007. He became a Scout Sniper, and from 2015 to 2018 he was a marksmanship instructor at 1st Marine Division Scout Sniper School, where he taught about 350 snipers and was nominated for Scout Sniper Instructor of the Year in 2016. Phil left active duty in 2018 and won the PRS Finale that December. He lives in Cody, Wyoming.

Full instructor page
Portrait of Matt Solowynsky

Matt "Solo" Solowynsky

COO · North Carolina

Matt "Solo" Solowynsky and Phil deployed together as sniper team leaders with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. Matt went on to teach as Primary Marksmanship Instructor at Scout Sniper Course West and later served as Chief Instructor at the Scout Sniper Instructor School in Quantico, Virginia. He runs The Cadre's North Carolina classes. His advice to shooters who rush: "The fastest miss is still a miss."

Full instructor page
Portrait of Jon Bumpus

Jon Bumpus

Chief Training Officer · San Antonio, Texas

Jon Bumpus is a Recon Marine with two combat deployments to Afghanistan, in 2010 and 2011. He went through Scout Sniper School alongside Matt, then taught at the Basic Reconnaissance Course and at the Scout Sniper Schoolhouse at Camp Pendleton, where he met Phil. At The Cadre he keeps every class at one instructor for every four students. He lives in San Antonio, Texas.

Full instructor page

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