Instructor Cadre
Tom F.
Tom has been an armed professional for the past two decades and has been a firearms instructor for the past 10 years. Outside of being an instructor, his background is in Law Enforcement and high level Executive / Dignitary Protection Operations serving as operations director and team leader in various high profile and high risk details - domestically and internationally. Tom has achieved certifications as an Anti-Terrorism Specialist, Forensic Investigator, and numerous other industry specific accolades. In 2013, Tom launched a security and investigations firm offering executive level protective services in several states throughout the United States.
While still working in the private sector, Tom founded SKILLSET Defense Academy to bring his training and experience to our students and has built a cadre of world class instructors to teach alongside him. His goal with SKILLSET is to bring his skills and the skill set's of other top tier instructors under one roof to maximize the training and knowledge delivered to students.
Tom is an NRA instructor, a NRA Range Safety Officer, a USCCA defensive firearms instructor, and a P.O.S.T certified Tactical Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor (Peace Officer Standards and Training). He holds additional instructor certifications in workplace violence prevention, Active Shooter Response, and has been featured in numerous publications discussing safety, security, and home defense.
Scott M.
Scott has been an armed professional for the past 29 years. He served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment and a squad leader with the 101st ABN Division. After completing his tour of service with the Army, Scott transitioned into Federal Law Enforcement. During his time in Law Enforcement he spent 15 years with the Special Operations Detachment conducting Search and Trauma Rescue and countless other high risk missions as a tactical unit operator. During his 15 years in federal law enforcement he held the titles of Operator, Senior Operator, Patrol K-9 Handler, Team Leader / Supervisor, and served one year as a Federal Air Marshall.
While in Law Enforcement, Scott was the firearms instructor for his sector and during his time in Special Operations instructed dignitary protection, CQB (close quarter battle), vehicle immediate action fundamentals, vehicle assault dynamics, tracking, and mission planning. Scott is a P.O.S.T certified Tactical Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor (Peace Officers Standards and Training).
After retiring from law enforcement in 2022, Scott joined SKILLSET as part of the Chief Instructor’s cadre.
Burke B.
Burke has been an armed professional for the past 20 years. During this time he has achieved placement on his departments S.W.A.T team and is currently a S.W.A.T sniper.
In addition to his S.W.A.T experience, Burke has worked patrol and was a corporal assigned to the Detective unit. He has served his department as a defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor, and also teaches at the Regional Law Enforcement Academy. Burke has worked a variety of protection details, to include Presidential protection details.
Currently working as a sworn law enforcement professional, Burke joined SKILLSET as part of the Chief Instructor's cadre.