About the Instructors
Steve
Owner, founder, and instructor. Steve has 11 years and multiple deployments with the US Army as Infantry with a SMOS as an Engineer. Steve is federally SWAT certified and has almost a decade as a member of an LE Emergency Response Team. He's an IDFPR certified Firearm Instructor, ISFM certified HAZMAT responder, FCC certified HAM radio operator, FEMA certified disaster communicator, and has a strong medical background with numerous certifications and licenses from the IDPH.
Passionate about firearms, Steve is always seeking to develop skills as a student and instructor. Steve has trained with numerous military units, Law Enforcement agencies, and with instructors such as Pete "The Greek" Milionis, Todd Fossey, and others.
"Tactics are like computers, they're outdated every year."
If you're not continuously training as an instructor, then you're teaching outdated tactics.
Ben
Ben has over a Decade in Law Enforcement from Corrections, Patrol, Investigations, and Training Departments. With a Training Background, he has served as a Field Training Officer for new patrol officers and as a department firearms instructor. He also served in the United States Army Infantry for five years.
Ben serves in a training capacity in Law Enforcement, teaching firearms, Illinois State use of Force for Police, and Law Enforcement Active Shooter/Rapid Deployment response. He has attended SWAT Operator training, Law Enforcement Red Dot pistol instructor, Use of Force instructor, Lead Homicide Investigator, among others.
Ben is a USCCA certified Conceal Carry Instructor and Enjoys teaching and learning from new students. With a background in education, he is always striving to continue training and learning new skills.
When not teaching classes, he can be found working harder to improve on skills, and enjoys learning from other instructors.
“We don’t teach ‘the only way’, we teach A way."
Training is a journey. Let us be the start of it.”
John
John Haberkamp is an 8 year veteran of the U.S. Navy. John served from 1998-2006 and did multiple tours overseas to include Kosovo and Afghanistan. He was an Independent Close Protection Specialist for multiple different agencies, VIP's, and Celebrities all over the World. During his 8 year time in the Protection industry he was also a Private Military Contractor working in the Middle East Region.
John and his Fiancé Michelle have 7 Children and 2 Grandchildren. John owns Guardian Concepts, a Personal Defense Training Company, and now trains civilians to be Guardians of their own lives.
John also volunteers his time with Project Headspace and Timing, a local veterans charity. The organization promotes positive mental health practices through advocacy and outreach for Veterans.