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Discover your confidence at 88 Tactical

to protect and serve, police officers must go to great lengths to keep their communities safe. 88 Tactical’s Founder and President, Shea Degan, knows this first hand—his background in law enforcement led him to create an organization that focuses on building people’s confidence in crisis situations. Although this stands as the company’s mission, the extensive entertainment destination caters to multiple experiences where people can dine, work out, and explore recreational activities in a family-centric environment.

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Story by NICOLE BUNTGEN

Photos by CHRISTOPHER TIERNEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Degan’s first company, Signal 88, was a security company whose name referenced Nebraska police code 88, which means “situation secure.” Degan used the same number when naming 88 Tactical in connection to the company’s mission for safety. Its first location in Tekamah, NE, served as an outdoor training facility. As groups demanded more safety courses, Degan and his business partners realized they needed to venture beyond the 160-acre outdoor space and create a facility in Omaha. “The more we trained people, the more we developed a community for people concerned about self-defense,” said Degan’s business partner Trevor Thrasher. In 2017, 88 Tactical opened its flagship location in Papillion, NE.

At the beginning of its launch, the company was branded as a “guntry club” due to its heavy focus on shooting ranges. Although the facility offered amenities like a small cafe and retail options, Degan said they wanted to soften their approach and shift the focus to welcoming families. “Like a lifestyle center—a place they can bring their kids,” he said. Cognizant of members’ needs and open-minded, Degan said he’s always willing to listen to members and learn what they want, which led the company to add other elements that cater to more people’s interests. “It helps introduce the whole family to the brand and facility, which allows people to experience not only the food but also learn about other classes they can relate to,” said Director of Operations Grant Gallo.

Initially, the company stood by its “those who respond, prevail” tagline before changing it to “discover your confidence.” From kids taking anti-bullying and anti-abduction classes to women learning primal defense tactics, Degan said they received consistent feedback that people felt more confident after taking a class. “That’s the most exciting thing to see—the change we make in people’s lives,” he said. Although the facility offers many amenities, the biggest takeaway is helping people build their confidence and carry the concepts through other aspects of their life. “The strongest thing about us is we’re turning students into community members and