John E. Pemberton

John is a highly experienced and accomplished professional with a passion for teaching tactical and personal defense skills. With over 15 years of instructing experience, he has honed his expertise in this field. Currently serving as the Manager and Chief Instructor at Kodiak Firing Range, John leads a team dedicated to providing top-notch training.

John’s commitment to personal defense stems from his distinguished background as a United States Marine Corps veteran. During his five years of service, he served as a Team Leader for Signals Intelligence, showcasing his leadership abilities. Additionally, he excelled as a First Degree Black Belt instructor for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), exemplifying his dedication to martial arts and combat proficiency.

Notably, John holds Black Belts in both Karate-Do and JuJitsu, highlighting his diverse skill set and expertise in various martial arts disciplines. Recognizing the need for practical and realistic personal protection, he is the Owner and Chief Instructor of Spartan Dynamics LLC. His company is committed to delivering effective unarmed and armed defense training, tailored to the individual’s needs.

John’s thirst for knowledge and improvement sets him apart. He embraces an open-minded approach, constantly seeking more efficient and effective methodologies for personal defense. As a testament to his commitment to continuous growth, he has graduated from prestigious tactical and personal defense programs. These include the RangeMaster Instructor Development Course, MAG-40 with Massad Ayoob, Extreme Close Quarter Concepts (ECQC), and Edged Weapons Overview (EWO) with renowned experts Craig Douglas and Paul Sharp of Shivworks.

Furthermore, John’s extensive certifications solidify his expertise. He is a USCCA Certified Training Counselor/Instructor and holds multiple certifications as an NRA Instructor across various disciplines. These qualifications reflect his comprehensive understanding of firearms safety and responsible gun ownership.

In summary, John is an outstanding professional with a wealth of experience and knowledge in tactical and personal defense. His dedication to teaching, combined with his military background and diverse martial arts expertise, make him a highly sought-after instructor in the field. With a focus on practicality, realism, and continuous improvement, John ensures his students receive the best training available for their personal protection needs.

 

TRAINING BACKGROUND

Military Experience – United States Marine Corps

• Signals Intelligence Operator/Team Leader
• Close Combat Instructor (MCMAP)

Military Awards/Achievements

• Honorable Discharge
• (4) Letters of Appreciation
• Certificate of Commendation

Educational Background

Indiana University

• General Studies w/ Minor in Criminal Justice

Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI)

• Associate of Science in Firearms Technology

Armorers Courses

• (2) Glock Armorers Course, Freshly
• Glock Armorers Course 2022, Larry Loring
• Smith & Wesson M&P Armorers Course, John Houghton
• Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Armorers Course, John Houghton & Steve Huey
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Armorers Course, John Houghton & Steve Huey
• Sig Saur 1911 Armorers Course, Dennis Carroll
• BCI Defense AR-15 M/16 Civilian Armorer’s School, Matt Blank

Martial Background

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

• Rank: Black Belt Instructor

Armed Forces Combatives

• Rank: Granted Shodan Jujitsu (1st Degree Black Belt)  – GI Jujitsu

Moyer Karate Dojo

• Rank: Granted 1st Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) – Karate-Do

McGuin Jiu Jitsu Academy: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu South Bend

• Rank: Purple Belt (2 Stripe)
• Ryron Gracie seminar 2018
• Ryron Gracie seminar 2019
• Ty Gay Leg Lock Seminar (6hr) 2019
• Chet Schemahorn Seminar 2019
• (2) Kenny Johnson Takedowns for Fighting 2021
• Evandro Nunes – Side Mount Mastery 2022
• Evandro Nunes – Guard Mastery 2022
• Thomas McGuin Leg Lock Seminar 2021
• Thomas McGuin Leg Lock Seminar 2022
• John McGuin Ground and Pound 2021
• Brandon Adolf  Wrestling for Jiu Jitsu Series

10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Indianapolis

• Eddie Bravo Seminar 2018

Bryce Franck 

• Striking for Self Defense (8hr)
• Ground and Pound for Self Defense (8hr)
• Using Striking to get your pistol (8hr)

Misc Martial Arts/Self Defense & Combatives Training

• Modern Arnis (Pilipino Stick Fighting)
• Army Combatives Program

Range•Master – Tom Givens and Lynn Givens

• Three-Day Firearms Instructor Development & Certification Course

National Rifle Association (NRA)

• NRA Certified Instructor
  • Refuse to be a Victim
  • Home Firearm Safety
  • Basic Pistol
  • Personal Protection in the Home
  • Personal Protection Outside the Home
  • Advance Pistol Instructor
• Chief Range Safety Officer
• Basic Metallic Cartridge Reloading

United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)

• Certified Training Counselor
• Certified AR-15 Fundamentals Instructor
• Defensive Shooting Fundamental Instructor
• Certified Basic Pistol Instructor
• Certified Home Defense Instructor
• Certified Concealed Carry Instructor
• Emergency First Aid Fundamentals Instructor
• Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals Instructor
• Countering The Mass Shooter Threat Instructor
• Range Safety Officer Course

Massad Ayoob Group, Massad Ayoob

• MAG-40

Shiv Works, Craig Douglas and Paul Sharp

• Extreme Close Quarters Conflicts (ECQC)
• Edge Weapons Overview (EWO)

Sharp Defense/SBG Illinois, Paul Sharp

• Fist Fire Level One
• Edged Weapons Defense Part I Training, Paul Sharp and Dan Meshenky
• Multi-Disciplinary Optimization Course (MDOC)
• Shivworks Training Session – Takedowns 2019
• Chris Haueter 2019 Seminar

Red Zone Threat Management, Jerry Wetzel

• Empty Hand Knife Defense Standing
• Empty Hand Knife Defense Ground
• Adaptive Striking Program
• Prime

Immediate Action Combatives, Cecil Burch 

• Immediate Action Jiu-jitsu
• Close Contact Handgun, with Glen Stilson

Glock, Inc Training

• Operator’s Course, Larry Loring

April risk consulting, Dr. William Aprill

• Unthinkable – 8hr
• Unthinkable – 3hr

Active Response Training, Greg Ellifritz

• Covert Rifle, w/ Bryan McKean
• Counter Terrorist Urban Carbine, w/ Bryan McKean
• Recognizing, Detecting and Neutralizing the Terrorist Bomber, w/ Bryan McKean

Sage Dynamics, Aaron Cowan

• RDS Handgun Instructor, 24hr

Mindset Laboratory, Shay VanVlymen

• Intro to Force on Force
• Vehicle Force on Force Scenarios

Brite-Strike® Training Academy

• Tactical Flashlight Instructor

Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI)

• Utah Concealed Carry Permit Instructor

I.C.E. Training, Rob Pincus

• Fundamentals of Intuitive Defensive® Shooting (x2) 8hr
• Advanced Pistol Handling 8hr
• Unorthodox Shooting Positions 8hr
• Intuitive Defensive Carbine 8hr
• Two Person Armed Defense 8hr

Personal Defense Network Academy, Rob Pincus

• Counter Ambush Concepts: Physics & Physiology
• Counter Ambush Concepts: Preparing Your Response

Paladin Combatives LLC, Mike Swisher and Josh Haines

• Managing Confrontations
• Managing Conflicts 101

Infinity Solutions

• Pistol 1 – Byron Gentry
• Rifle 1 – Byron Gentry
• Active Killer Defense Course Byron Gentry & Dan Hammond
• Weapon Retention 1 – Byron Gentry & Patrick Robinson
• Distance Management – Byron Gentry & Jimmy Holmes
• Distance Management Fighting in the Clinch – Byron Gentry & Patrick Robinson
• Distance Management Dirty Boxing- Byron Gentry & Jimmy Holmes

Defensive Solutions LLC, Norman Hood

• Defensive Handgun Level One
• Basic Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT)®
• Firearm Retention
• Use of Force
• Basic Revolver
• Intro to Defensive Shotgun
• Force-on-Force: Defensive Pistol

Our Safe Home

• Diamondback Db9/DB380 Operators Course
• Self Defense Fundamentals
• Intermediate Pistol

Dave Grossman Academy

• On Combat
• The Bullet Proof Mind

ILEETA Academy/Relias Learning

• Knife Tactics and Safety
• Use of Force and Deadly Force

Sabre Tactical

• The Center Axis Relock (CAR) eLearning Course

The Law of Self Defense (LOSD) Academy 

• LOSD Instructor Program
• LOSD Level 1 Indiana Supplement
• LOSD Level 1 Michigan Supplement

Misc. Law Courses

• Legal Aspects of Personal Defense, Mike Peterson, Senator Jim Tomes, Bryan Ciyou & Robert Gevers
• Deadly Force Webinar, Bryan Ciyou
• Essentials of Indiana Gun Law, Guy Relford
• Criminal Law Course, IUSB
• Administrative Law Course, IUSB

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• Active Shooter: What you can do
• Workplace Security Awareness
• Retail Security Awareness Understanding the Hidden Hazards

Allied Barton Security Services (ABSS) Courses

• Master Security Officer V
• Safety Officer Specialist (SOS)
• Patrol Techniques (SSO)
• GSA Arrest & Detainment
• GSA Firearms
• GSA Civil Disturbance & Hostage Situation
• Patient Restraint
• Managing Conflict
• Preventing Workplace Violence

Misc. Firearms Related Training

• (2) Training Today’s Gunfighter & The Fighting Spirit, Frank White
• Firearms Safety Course, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
• LASR Affiliate Instructor Program, John Wallace (LASR Team, LLC)
• UTM PTO Course

Medical Training

• American Red Cross First/CPR/AED Instructor Course
• American Heart Association CPR/AED
• Combat Life Savers Course
• Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) Course
• Indiana EMR-Emergency Medical Responder
• Ballistic Injuries Seminar
• Stop The Bleed – Grant Roberts Jr.