DAG Instructor Cadre
Your Upcoming Courses at Direct Action Group are Led by a Qualified Team of Experts
MAX JOSEPH | Training Director
Max is the founder and training director of TFTT Direct Action Group. Max has been involved in Special Operations and training non-stop for the last 34 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 both in the United States and Brazil.
He is recognized as a subject matter expert in explosives for Tactical Breaching and other Special Operations.
Max 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 TFTT/Direct Action Group
- Senior Instructor – Tactical Explosive Entry School USA/Brazil
- Instructor U.S. Dept. of State Anti-Terrorism Program (20 Years)
- 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
- Writer for several Military / Police Publications
RUDY HERNANDEZ | Instructor
He holds more than 40 certifications from agencies including the California POST Commission, Department of Justice, NAEMT, and FEMA, and has completed advanced training in:
- High-Risk Dignitary Protection
- Active Shooter Response (POST Instructor)
- Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC-LEO)
- Stop the Bleed (Instructor)
- Behavioral Threat & Advanced Threat Assessment
- Specialized Unit Investigator
- Surveillance Operations
- CQB/Tactics & Concealed Carry Tactics (POST Instructor)
- Firearms & Tactical Handgun (POST Instructor)
- SIMUNITION® Scenario and Safety (POST Instructor)
- Internal Affairs & OIS Investigations
- Human Trafficking, Drug Abuse Recognition, and Electronic Surveillance
- Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Crisis Counseling
TONY C | Instructor
Tony is a police Sergeant in Southern California for 21 years, and currently a SWAT Team Leader with 16 years SWAT experience. He has supervised his department’s Major Narcotics Team, Detective Bureau, Patrol, Canine Unit, investigations, and other assignments.
Tony is a lifelong martial artist with 33 years of experience, earning 10 black belt rankings, inducted in 2006 into the martial arts Master’s Hall of Fame and in 2011 to the USA martial arts Hall of Fame as Tactical Trainer of the year.
He has taught in Germany, France, and across the United States, and at the West Point Military Academy.
Tony is a California POST firearms, submachine gun, and defensive tactics instructor, and has developed curriculum for arrest & control, and integrated tactical combatives programs. Tony is a publications author, and Use of Force subject matter expert. Qualifications include:
- 21 years law enforcement
- 16 years SWAT / SWAT Team Leader
- CA POST Firearms/Sub-Gun / Defensive Tactics Instructor
- NTOA & CA POST Diversionary Device Instructor
- Use of Force Subject Matter Expert
- Black Belt Masters Hall of Fame / Tactical Trainer of the Year
- Published author of several martial arts/tactics articles
- Creator of several POST certified arrest and control courses
- Combat Conditioning Instructor
- Founder of Cortina Training Association (non-profit organization)
JOEL BATEMAN | Instructor
Joel is a US Navy veteran and has served as a police officer for 23 years in south eastern Wisconsin.
He has been a Detective for 14 years with 21 years SWAT experience, and 12 years as SWAT team leader. Joel is a certified instructor and Use of Force instructor with the State of Wisconsin holding over 30 instructor certifications. Disciplines include Defense and Arrest Tactics, Firearms, Vehicle Contacts, Combatives, and Tactical Response.
Joel is both an instructor and has operational experience in high level active shooter response. He is a multiple course graduate of Tactical Explosive Entry School and Blauer Tactical Systems.
Joel is also a publications author, guest instructor, guest speaker, and Use of Force subject matter expert.
Qualifications include:
- United States Navy-Surface Rescue Swimmer, shipboard Security Alert Team
- TEES / TFTT / DAG / Blauer Tactical- multiple course graduate
- Certified Explosive Handler / Explosive Breacher (TEES)
- LSU Academy of Counterterrorist Education – WMD & Tactical Operations
- Certified State of Wisconsin Use of Force Instructor
- Instructor certifications: Defense and Arrest Tactics, Firearms, Vehicle Contacts, and
- Tactical Response, Officer Survival, Advanced Patrol Techniques, and
- Patrol Response to Violent School Incidents instructor, CQB/Simulations Instructor
- Martial Arts and Combatives Experience- Ground Combatives
- Tactical Weapon Control, and Edged Weapon Defense
PETE FORBES | Instructor
Pete is a dual citizen of the United States and New Zealand and has over 10 years of law enforcement experience. He is currently deployed as a Worldwide Protective Services Contractor (DDM/PSS) working as a member of a team providing diplomatic security on high threat projects in Afghanistan.
Pete was previously a full-time Sheriff’s Deputy in Wisconsin and a member of a Level 1 ALERRT Regional SWAT team. He is a certified Explosive, Thermal, Ballistic, and Mechanical Breacher in addition to an entry team assaulter, and sniper team leader. Pete has supported DAG by coordinating numerous training seminars for law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin.
He received a “Commanders Award” in 2013 and the SWAT Valor Award & SWAT Officer of the Year-Wisconsin (2014). Qualifications include:
- WPS-DDM/ERT/PSS Certified, 2 years’ experience
- 10 years Law Enforcement Experience
- Level 1 ALERRT Regional SWAT team / NTOA –Tactical Team Leader
- Certified Explosive Handler / Explosive Breacher (TEES)
- TEES Mechanical, Ballistic and Thermal Breacher
- DAG / TFTT / TEES / LFI Multiple Course Grad
- FBI Basic Sniper – Great Lakes Naval Training
- Firearms instructor, multiple weapons expertise, CQB instructor
- Operational Experience High Risk Warrants, Barricaded Subjects and Hostage Situations
- Background in Muay Thai and Boxing
GEORGE | Instructor
George is a 27-year veteran of a major police department in Los Angeles County. He currently serves as the Officer in Charge of a Gang Enforcement Detail. He also serves as a lead instructor for his department’s Tactical Emergency Casualty Course (TECC).
His past assignments include gang enforcement, crime suppression, tactical surveillance and fugitive apprehension. While assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service as a Task Force Officer, he served as the lead Tactical Medic for the Los Angeles District Special Response Team (SRT). During his 7-year tour he participated in high-risk warrants, coordinated medical training and completed the Tactical Medic Course hosted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department- Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB). George is a POST certified instructor. His areas of expertise include Tactical Medicine, Firearms, Surveillance, Active Shooter Response and SWAT operations.
George is a military veteran having served in 3 branches of the military. He is still serving as a Chief Warrant Officer in a Special Operations Support Detachment.
George has earned advanced degrees from the California State Polytechnic University- Pomona and the University of California, Irvine.
Relevant Courses Completed:
- Special Operations Medicine Course- U.S. Army
- Enhanced Tactical Medicine Fellowship- John Hopkins University
- Maritime Emergency Medical Technician- U.S. Coast Guard
- Tactical Medicine 40 Hour Course- Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department)
- Independent Duty-Aerospace Medical Technician- U.S. Air Force
- Emergency Medical Technician- UCLA Center for Prehospital Care
- Special Weapons and Tactics Course- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
- High Risk Fugitive Apprehension Course- U.S. Marshals Service
- Firearms Instructor Training Courses- Los Angeles Police Department
ROMAN FISHER | Instructor
Roman has over 10 years Executive Protection experience.
Deployed to Iraq as a Protective Services Contractor / mobile team leader, he currently works on a high level VIP / PSD detail.
Roman has conducted extensive DAG operations supporting ongoing DoD contract training and overseeing all aspects of supply and logistics for multiple week courses.
He is an instructor for rifle, pistol, and tactics courses.
Roman is also responsible for DAG client contacts, research, marketing, and public relations.
His qualifications include:
- 10 years Executive Protection experience
- Overseas PSD experience
- Overseas Mobile Security Team Leader
- Rifle, pistol, shotgun instructor
- TCCC certified
- DAG Marketing Director
- DAG PR / Public Relations
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Office 714-206-5168