Our Team

Our cadre will enforce a standard adopted from our roots in Special Operations units.  All our cadre have a light switch inside them, and the ability to know when to turn it on.  The better your training the greater the confidence you have in your abilities, the more restraint you will show when restraint is called for.  But when the world calls for speed and violence of action, you attack the target with everything you have, methodically and accurately.  You win at all costs….

When you attend any of our training, we are expecting everyone to give it 100% of their concentration and ability.  We aren’t asking you to give anything more than what we would give or do anything we won’t do.   Our instructors are passionate about what they teach and whom they are teaching.  They also embody the culture we strive to display to anyone who steps through our gates – Professionalism, Realism, Respect, Customer Service, and have some fun while developing your skills.    

 MEET OUR TEAM

Steve Brown - President

Steve Brown, retired US Army Special Operations senior officer, brings over 30 years of SOF experiences and 15 years of experience as a senior executive for specialized government contractors, serving various agencies on classified programs. He has participated in the early stage evolution of technology companies and has been integral in growing them into thriving ventures.

His focus has been on delivering intented results for demanding U.S. Government missions. Combining experiences as an Army and Joint Special operator, private industry executive and president, and major defense contractor program manager, he has consistently provided revolutionary technical solutions in harsh and demanding operating environments. These challenges and solutions are not only for military counterterrorism operations, but also assess the effectiveness of our nation’s current structure on dealing with complex and diverse terrorist threats.

While on active duty, Steve served as a Task Force Commander while deployed in support of our nation’s war on terror.  His SOF career allowed him to participate in most vital actions that our military participated in since 1984, and he was a critical component and asset for Task Force Ranger in Somalia in 1993.  He has participated in and led classified and clandestine operations as well as conventional deployments and engagements. 

Since his military retirement, Steve has hosted various technology innovation experimentations and deployed emerging technologies into practical application. He has experience as owner and general manager of a midsize security technology integration firm providing cutting-edge security enhancements for government, corporate, medical, nuclear, higher education, local law enforcement and metro centers and is the owner and president of Agile Global Solutions, LLC, a technology integration company, and is the president of Luna Tech Industries, an exciting new venture meeting the needs of government and private-sector groups with established manufacturing and technology expertise. Luna includes multiple companies, including The Sawmill Tactical Training Complex.

Steve has experience coordinating efforts with congressional leaders, ambassadors, and senior defense company executives. He has promoted interagency coordination and collaboration and has built partnerships between military and members of other agencies and commercial entities. He has spent much of his career creating and fielding leading-edge technology products that address critical business needs in large enterprise environments.  

Dutch Moyer - Operations SGM

"Dutch" Chris Moyer, has served 31 years in the Unites States Army, 26 of which were Special Operations Command with experience with the 19th Special Forces Group, 1st/75th Ranger Battalion culminating with 14 years as a USASOC Operator. It is with this unique perspective and experience that he is able to create tailored training and leadership programs for those who continue to serve.  Dutch is founder and owner of DCM Consulting.  DCM Consulting's mission is to build a company that provides the next generation of service members and first responders the knowledge and necessary skill sets required to thrive in their complex environments and meet the challenges of a complex tomorrow head on.

Dutch has planned and conducted small unit tactics in support of Unconventional Warfare, Special Reconnaissance, and Foreign Internal Defense and Direct Action missions.  He has taken part in over 1000 successful combat assaults in classified and unclassified missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.  He has trained and participated in training Task Force partners (FBI HRT/Ranger Regiment/SAS/SASR/KSK/FSK/JTF2/U.S. Border Patrol) to include indigenous forces of Columbia, Thailand, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait and the KSA.  He was also the program manager for SOCOM K9 Program.  Dutch is proficient in Pistol/Rifle/SAW MG/M240 MG/Carl Gustav AT gun and many various makes and models of small arms (to include foreign weapons) and crew served weapons. 

Thomas Flinn - Instructor

Former United States Marine, Thomas served 14 years as an Infantry Officer, Foreign Security Force Advisor, and Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor (MAI) before medically retiring in 2022 at the rank of Major. Thomas saw operations in Central America, Libya, Afghanistan, and Yemen, training, advising, and assisting Host Nation and Partner Nation forces. Thomas participated in Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom Sentinel, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Thomas is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) where he lettered in football as a Defensive End.

Thomas founded Homeland Defense LLC as a conduit to bring his education and experience overseas to the people of our community. He is our resident CWP instructor and NRA instructor and also hosts Basic and Advanced Rifle and Pistol courses, as well as assists in training development, future operations, and planning.

Charlie Melton

Charlie Melton. Charlie has taught some of our nation’s finest snipers to include Chris Kyle and many others.  He Also held the world record longest shot at 2.84 miles.

Born and raised in Macon, Georgia, Charlie joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 19. He completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL course Class 176 and checked into his very first SEAL Team, (SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team-2) where he underwent 3 deployments, and eventually served as a SEAL Delivery Vehicle Instructor.  Eventually, he became the Leading Chief Petty Officer of Sniper School. He went on two deployments as part of SEAL Team-5, and ultimately received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Sailor of the Quarter, Sailor of the Year for all SEAL Teams, and Runner-Up for PACIFIC-FLEET SOY.  Charlie served as the Operations Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Naval Special Warfare Unit-1 and was in charge of 14 Southeast Asian Countries. Later, he served as SEAL Team-1 Troop Chief and retired as Senior Chief Petty Officer in 2015. Since his retirement, he opened CharlieMikePrecision, a Tactical Force Company specializing in Long Range Rifle, Pistol, and Carbine Courses. Engineering the most accurate rifles available on the market.

John M.

John M. is a proven leader and battle tested operator with 19+ years military experience. Multiple combat tours to declared/non-declared theaters of war. Managed and trained both US personnel and foreign troops in the most dangerous and demanding environments. Trained and selected students for Basic Underwater Demolition School (Bud/s, Naval Special Warfare selection course, SEAL training) and Naval Special Warfare Development Group, as well as advised assisted and accompanied Iraqi, Afghani, and other surrogate foreign troops in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Daily responsibilities include budgeting, planning, and procurement of technological advances for the nation’s top Maritime Special Operations Forces, as well as organizing training for the sustainment of NSWDG’s (Naval Special Warfare Development Group) mission readiness. Developed, trained, and executed TACDEVRON five’s tactical drone program. Planned, trained, and executed drone missions abroad for NSWDG/TACDEVRON Five. 

John Pistolis

John Pistolis, a Greenville, SC Native, graduated from Wade Hampton High School in 1995.  After high school, he attended The Citadel Class of 1999.  After The Citadel, John enlisted in the Navy and was an intelligence analyst for a couple of years before going to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, also known as BUD/S.  After graduating BUD/S John was assigned to the East Coast SEAL Teams based out of Little Creek, VA.  John spent his Special Warfare career on the East Coast.  John is a certified instructor in a number of areas from weapons to surveillance and counter-surveillance.  He retired in November 2019 after 21.5 yrs. 

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly is a multi-faceted professional with 25+ years training and 15 years of experience training and supporting law enforcement agencies, military units, and world class athletes. Specializing in small unit tactics and close quarters combat (armed & unarmed). Accomplished and renowned for generating unique and effective blocks of instruction to satisfy each customer's specific needs.

Jason Kelly is an accomplished combative athlete with over 28 years of proven experience and instruction. Throughout his professional career, Jason has been recognized for his ability to turn athletes into world class champions and develop intuitive weapons-based combative programs for law enforcement agencies and military.

As the first American Top Team main academy wrestling coach and teaching at multiple ATT locations for 15+ years as well as fight schools around the country, an accomplished competitive shooter, and small unit tactics specialist, Jason blends proven techniques from each discipline into a holistic program that is difficult for others to duplicate. Jason conditions his clients to understand the human variables that normally dictate the close-quarters environment, and immerses them in unique and effective blocks of instruction to satisfy their specific needs.  Whether it be an armed or unarmed circumstance, Jason's programs are designed to protect against attack, while simultaneously generating options for his clients to control, attack, defend, or have the ability to disengage.  Jason Kelly's programs and curriculum is catered to men and women in a working environment.

Teena Gooding

Teena knows first hand the dangers that are ever present in our world as well as the skills needed to defend against them.  Teena enjoys empowering women to trust their abilities, listen to their inner voice, know their strengths, and use them to save the lives they love. Training with Teena is always powerful, with just enough love and logic applied to give you the trust in yourself you need to help #protectthetribe.  Her heart is as big as her determination and she spends much of her time working for the good of others through Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. 

Teena is the co-owner of Fortis Tactical Systems, a loving wife to a husband in law enforcement, adoring dog mom to her sweet smiling pup "Sunshine," and a force to be reckoned with.  With over twenty years of law enforcement experience, tactical training, and fifteen years spent instructing both novices and experts in defensive skills, Active Shooter Response, SPEAR, Krav Maga, and firearms, she is a highly valued voice and resource in security and protection and one we have utilized time and time again to help train Sassters young and old. 

Mike Gooding

Mike is the co-owner of Fortis Tactical Systems and devoted husband and father to two children and one four legged baby “Sunshine.” He has over twenty years of law enforcement experience, is a United States Army veteran, and has been a competitive shooter.  Mike has extensive experience training soldiers, civilians, law enforcement officers and foreign law enforcement officers in multiple disciplines, including firearms, defensive tactics, less than lethal defensive options, and other critical law enforcement procedures. Working under a United States State Department contract, Mike has worked in Afghanistan training Afghan police officers.  Mike is a certified Glock Armorer and a former Heckler and Koch Armorer as well.  

Adam Smith

Adam spent 17 years in the US Army both Active Duty and in the National Guard as a US Army Green Beret. He's had multiple deployments around the world to include Central/South America, Afghanistan, Southeast Asia, as well as operating within the Defense Intelligence Agency. After choosing to step away from the military and receiving an honorable discharge he became the Director of Training, and Head Instructor, of Norse Tactical with a focus on training Law Enforcement and Military Special Operations Units. Over the course of his career, Adam has been directly responsible for training thousands of law enforcement, military, and civilians. Adam has also helped establish multiple non-profits, ridden his bicycle 5000 miles across the country to raise awareness for PTSD and TBI, and supported the development of publicly traded corporations, makes hand forged custom knives, conducts corporate leadership development, and runs his own small business. His dedication to preparing and delivering training to support law enforcement, military, and civilians returning home is his true purpose and mission in life. 

Candice Reyes

Candice Reyes has been a member of the Greenville Police Department for the past seven years. She is an instructor in FOSS (Female Officer Street Survival) and SASS (Surviving Assault, Standing Strong). These trainings focus on firearms and self-defense. Candice is certified in CNT (Crisis Negotiation) with 40 hours of training by the FBI in crisis negotiation. She is TacMed and Active Shooter certified, as well as certified in rifle, pistol, pepper-ball, and less than lethal weapons. Candice has a variety of certifications for mental health issues, including Law Enforcement Health and Wellbeing, and in combatting Human Trafficking. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. 

Jonathan Kyle

Jonathan Kyle is a Senior Security Architect with Lockstep Technology Group. Jonathan has experience in both the professional and government sectors. Jonathan served as a Captain in the US Army operating in the cyber and intelligence spaces both in CONUS and in combat theater. Jonathan's work involved many facets of intelligence including projects with the NSA and CIA. After getting out of the military, Jonathan served as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for a mid-sized automotive manufacturing company before joining Lockstep and has earned a master's degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland. Some of Jonathan's certifications include Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information System Security Officer (CISSO), Certified Professional Ethical Hacker (CPEH), Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE), Certified Dark Web Analyst (CDWA) and more.

Robbie Shuler

Robbie Shuler, I was raised in the smokey mountains of WNC where he still resides today.  He is an accomplished backwoods survivalist and master at his craft.  His life has centered around hunting, fishing, gardening, and canning, as well as processing and preserving foods to sustain his family through the winter months.   From as early as he can remember, these skills have set his lifestyle and he constantly seeks to improve his craft and share his passions with anyone that has the desire to increase their level of self-sufficiency.  Robbie served seven years in the United States Army 85-92, including 4 years with the famed 82nd Airborne Division as an Infantry soldier.