INSTRUCTORS AND STAFF

 

MAX F. JOSEPH – Training Director

Max is the founder and training director of both TFTT and the Direct Action Group. Max has been involved in Special Operations and training non-stop for the last 21 years. He has trained and worked with Counter-Terrorist officers and troops from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South America. In addition to running TFTT/Direct Action Group full time, Max also proudly served as the Senior Instructor for the Tactical Explosive Entry School from 1993-2005 both in the United States and Brazil. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in explosives for Tactical Breaching and other Special Operations. He also has extensive experience in Executive Protection and has worked details in Central America, South America, Eastern Europe and Afghanistan. He is currently still operational in several capacities both in and out of CONUS. His qualifications include:

  • Founder/Director Tactical Firearms Training Team
  • Founder/Director Direct Action Group
  • Senior Instructor – Tactical Explosive Entry School
  • Senior Instructor – TEES Brazil
  • Instructor U.S. Dept. of State Anti-Terrorism Program
  • Seven Years Marine Corps Reconnaissance Companies (SGT.)
  • Graduate USMC Scout Sniper Instructor School
  • US Army Ranger / Airborne
  • USN Survival / Evasion / Resistance / Escape School
  • BSR Anti - Terrorist Driving School
  • SPIE / Rappel Master Instructor
  • Reconnaissance Indoctrination Program Instructor
  • Diplomatic Security Consultant
  • Diversionary Device Instructor
  • Writer for several Military / Police Publications
JASON VAN BUNKER (Gunnery Sergeant U.S.M.C.) - Instructor

“Gunny” Bunker has an extensive background as an Instructor for Military, Law Enforcement, and Special Security Weapons and Tactics. He has also conducted Asset/VIP Protection Training and Operations in the CONUS and abroad. Jason has served as a Coalition Forces Adviser and Team Leader in both Southeast and Southwest Asia and the Middle East, including a tour of duty during combat operations in Iraq, with a United Kingdom British Infantry unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  • 12yrs - USMC/ANGLICO
  • USMC Coalition Forces Adviser
  • USMC Marksmanship Instructor
  • USMC Small Arms/Weapons Tactics Instructor
  • USMC Military Operations in Urban Terrain Instructor
  • USMC Jumpmaster/US Army Airborne
  • Asset/VIP Protection Specialist
  • TEES-USA Multiple Course Graduate
  • TEES-BRAZil Multiple Course Graduate
  • USMC High Risk Personnel Operations
  • USN Basic and Advanced SERE[ATHAS/DEST]
  • FBI Certified - Rangemaster/Firearms/Tactics Instructor
  • NRA Certified Instructor and Life Member 
ERIC MACKINZIE - Instructor

Eric Mackinzie has been an active instructor with TFTT and Direct Action Group since 1994. He is an accomplished and experienced instructor, protection specialist and security director for over 12 years. He has worked as a qualified member for various protection details within the U.S., Mexico, South America and the Middle East. As an active instructor with TFTT and Direct Action group, Eric has trained hundreds of military, law enforcement and security personnel in the use of handguns, rifles, shotguns, CQB, immediate action, field craft, personal protection, executive protection, optical rifle, overseas operations, edged weapons, defensive tactics and jungle patrolling. Eric has also assisted in training hundreds of military personnel for deployment to Iraq.

  • DOS WPPS Motorcade Driving Course, BSR
  • United States Marine Corps & Marine Corps Reserve 1988-1996 (ANGLICO)
  • Personal & Executive Protection Specialist
  • Certified Explosive Handler and Breacher (TEES)
  • Tactical Explosive Entry & High Risk Warrant Entry (TEES)
  • Specialized SWAT and Jungle Operations School (TEES- Brazil)
  • USMC Advanced Infantry Training School
  • USMC HRST Certification Course
  • U.S. Army Airborne School
  • LFTCPAC Logistics Operations School
  • USMC/US Army Forward Observation & Field Artillery Gunfire School
  • Triple Canopy - Protective Specialist Selection and Qualification Course
  • Defensive Driving Course, 2005, Beaver Run Racing School
  • Department of State, Worldwide Personal Protective Services Certification Course
  • DOS Weapons Qualification Course M4, Glock 19, M240, M249 and Remington 870
  • Motorcade Driving Course, 2005, Bill Scott Racing
TIM SCARROTT - Instructor

Tim is tasked with the responsibility of implementing training programs as a primary instructor in advanced weapons and tactical skills. Including rifles, shotguns pistols and sub-machineguns, close quarter shooting, weaponless defense, building clearing, High Risk Environment Training, Defensive Edge, and Officer Survival. He is also responsible for development of instructor curriculum, client course material, research, marketing, sales and logistics. Tim is a full time police officer and has worked a variety of assignments including patrol and investigations. In addition, Tim is an Iraqi Freedom vet and has recently returned from a year long combat tour in Southern Baghdad where he participated in various counter – insurgency operations.

  • US Army Infantry Team Leader
  • US Army CIB / SDM / CLS
  • US Army PMI / BRM Instructor
  • Explosive Handler certified
  • Explosive Breacher certified
  • MOUT / CQB Instructor
  • Protective Services Agent
  • Advanced Officer School
  • Edged Weapons
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Officer Survival
MARCELINO RIALON - Instructor

Marcelino Rialon is currently a Staff Sergeant in the US Marine Corps. He has served three combat tours during the course of his nineteen years of service. Marcelino has recently returned from his third combat tour in Fallujah, Iraq conducting counter-insurgency operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. He is currently a Raid Instructor at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Ca. His training and background includes:

  • USMC High Risk Personnel Course (HRP)
  • USAMPS/BSR Anti-Terrorist Evasive Drivers Course/Staff Driver
  • USMC Martial Arts Instructor-Trainer
  • USMC Close Combat Instructor-Trainer
  • USMC Infantry Platoon Sergeant Course
  • USMC Enhanced Marksmanship Program (EMP)
  • USMC Zodiac Coxswain Course
  • USMC Scout-Swimmer Course
  • USMC Combat Water Safety Swimmer
  • PWC Rescue Operators Course
  • USMC Formal Schools Instructor Course
  • USMC MOUT/CQB Tactics
  • USMC Explosive Hazards and Awareness Course
  • USMC Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Officer
  • Plt Sgt. 2/7 Scout-Sniper Platoon
  • PSD/VIP Protection Course
  • Combat Lifesavers Course
  • Edged Weapons Instructor
  • Lethal/Non-Lethal Combatives Instructor
  • Defensive Tactics Instructor
  • Security Consultant
JAMES KRETER M.D. - TFTT Medical Officer

Doc Kreter has served as the senior medical officer for Tactical Firearms Training Team and Direct Action Group since 1994. He is responsible for medical and logistical support for courses including Combat Field Craft, Advanced Combat Field Craft and Overseas Operator. He is the primary medical instructor for Combat Lifesaver and he has trained U.S. military and law enforcement tactical teams throughout the United States. His qualifications include:

  • Physician since 1980
  • Contract consultant to the California Department of Justice in Medicine
  • Member International Wound Ballistics Association
  • Member National Defense Industries Association
  • Explosive handler certified
  • P.O.S.T. certified instructor in Anti-Terrorist Operations in Rural Environments
  • Member of the International Society of Professional Trackers
     
Kevan Gillies - Instructor

Kevan is a British ex patriot resident in Brazil for 25 years. Since establishing TEES BRAZIL in 1999, Kevan has been instrumental in designing training progams for special police units operating in extremely high risk environments. His operational experience includes extensive Favela (slum) patroling in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo as well as various Hostage Rescue missions and operational explosive breaches.

  • Director of Training for TEES BRAZIL
  • Combatives and Tactical Instructor for TFTT/DAG
  • Over 30 years of mixed martial arts experience
  • Explosive Breaching and CQB specialist
  • Instructor and consultant for TIGRE Hostage Rescue Group - Curitiba - Brasil
  • Instructor for GOE Civil Police Spec. Ops - São Paulo - Brasil
ED WORLEY - Instructor

Ed has been associated with TFTT/DAG since 1992. He is a Sworn Law Enforcement officer in California. His duties and responsibilities include: Assistant Firearms Instructor for entry-level handgun courses. He is the Primary Instructor in tactics and techniques for tactical tracking. He has trained Military and Law Enforcement Units in weapons handling and Tactical Tracking. His has served as an instructor for land navigation, patrolling & survival skills in several different capacities. His is an Adjunct instructor for Trauma Skills for Tactical Operators (TSTO) Course. He is responsible for TFTT MTU Sacramento California operations. His qualifications and training includes:

  • Firearms Instructor/Rifle/Shotgun/Pistol/Personal Protection - NRA
  • Graduate of Tactical Explosive Entry School (TEES)- Explosives Handler
  • Graduate of Tactical Tracking Operations School (TTOS) - Advanced Programs
  • Military and Anti -Tracking Programs
  • Member of the International Society of Professional Trackers
  • Instructor for Ant-Terrorism Operations in Rural Environments - A.T.O.R.E.
  • Graduate of POST Certified Law Enforcement Programs
  • Certified California Police Officer Standards Training (POST) Instructor
  • Published Author on Tactical Subjects
Additional Instructors
ED WORLEY - TFTT MTU Liaison Officer

*Full staff CV’s provided to agencies upon request
 

TFTT • 16835 Algonquin Street Suite 120, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 • 714-846-8065