The TTPOA Podcast

“Dutch” has served 31 years in the United States Army, 26 of which were in Special Operations Command, with experience with the 19th Special Forces Group, 1st/75th Ranger Battalion, culminating with 14 years as a USASOC Operator. His unique perspectives and experiences make him a valuable Subject Matter Expert at Tactical Hyve.During his career he:Planned and conducted small unit tactics supporting Unconventional Warfare, Special Reconnaissance, Foreign Internal Defense, and Direct Action missions. Took part in over 1000 successful combat assaults in classified and unclassified missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Trained and participated in training Task Force partners (FBI HRT/Ranger Regiment/SAS/SASR/KSK/FSK/JTF2/U.S. Border Patrol) to include indigenous forces of Columbia, Thailand, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, and the KSATrained Domestic, Federal LE, United Kingdom, Australian, Canadian, New Zealander, German, and Norwegian K9 Forces  K9 Troop Sergeant Major/Operations Sergeant Major/Task Force Liaison Officer/Team Leader/K9 Handler/Operator Team Member/ Platoon Sergeant/Squad Leader/Team Leader/Machinegun Team Leader/Assistant Gunner/203 Gunner/SAW Gunner/RiflemanK9 Program Manager USSOCOM Proficient in Pistol/Rifle/SAW MG/M240 MG/Carl Gustav AT gun and many various makes and models of small arms (to include foreign weapons) and crew-served weapons. 

On this episode we sit down with Chris Palmer and Gabe Rivera.  Both Chris and Gabe have served on full time SWAT teams and have years of experience. Chris Palmer:1999 to 2001 Patrol officer.  2001 to 2006 N.E.T. Neighborhood Enforcement Team. We were a directed enforcement position within the precincts. Basically we would be tasked by the commander to solve problems brought to them by the community. This is where I got plain clothes and U/C experience. We would work informants, buy dope, write warrants, surveillance and locating subjects with felony warrants, a bit of everything without responsibility for the radio.   2006 to 2019 (SWAT) Full time unit with 5 ten man squads now 4 ten man squads. Barricades, Violent subjects arrested, Present for several (20?) OIS and fired my weapons in 4 of them.  At last count I've had 56 rounds fired at me and been hit once. Most of those have been through the walls on HRT entries. I've never shot anyone during an HR. Mine were all arrests/ barricades2017- present   Contract breaching instructor for Forced Entry Tactical Training. 2019 - present Full time firearms training detail. Gabe Rivera:15+ years as a Law Enforcement Officer with 12 years assigned to departments Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT) team. Has held roles on the team such as Team Leader (TL), Assistant Team Leader (ATL), Sniper, JHAT Member, Maritime Team Member, Firearms Instructor, and Tactics Instructor. Have obtain thousands of hours training with some of the best firearms and tactical instructors in the world. Holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in Criminal Justice and Corrections from California State University-Fullerton.

On this episode we sit down with return quest Matt Little of GreyBeard Actual.  Matt Little, is a US Army Special Forces combat veteran who has extensive law enforcement experience, including serving as training coordinator and an operational supervisor on a major metropolitan SWAT team, and has worked as a government contractor in non-permissive environments. Additionally, Matt is a lifelong martial artist and former national level competitor. He is also ranked as a master class shooter with pistol and carbine by both the US Practical Shooting Association and the International Defensive Pistol Association

On this episode we sit down with Bryan Williams. Bryan worked for the MCKINNEY Police department from 1985- 2004 and served 18 years on SWAT.  He taught a number of in service and travel courses to include basic sniper, advanced handgun, patrol rifle and basic SWAT.  Bryan is a USPSA Grandmaster in Limited Division and later achieved a second Grandmaster rating in Production Division.  He rose to the position of Assistant Chief in McKinney in 2001.  In 2004, Bryan was hired as the Chief of Police in Round Rock Texas where he served until 2012. 

On this episode we sit down with Krystal Dunn.  Krystal is a seemingly unlikely combination—part competitive shooter and part brow and skin care salon owner. Krystal grew up in a military family and spent her childhood all around the country shooting pistols with her dad, mom and uncles. However, she’d never even heard of competitive shooting until the fateful day her dad asked her to try it. After shooting an IDPA match, she quickly transitioned into USPSA and got into precision rifle competition. She’s now well established in her competitive shooting career, traveling to matches and events around the country, proudly promoting shooting sports and 2nd Amendment rights.

On this episode we sit down with Mike Mihalski, Kyle Grouthes and Chuck Pressburg of Sons of Liberty Gun Works.Mike Mihalski is the co-owner and founder of Sons of Liberty Gun Works in San Antonio, Texas.In 2014, with just one workbench in the basement of a lumberyard, Mihalski founded Sons of Liberty Gun Works alongside current co-owner, Kyle Grouthes. Under Mihalski’s leadership, the company is considered the fastest-growing rifle manufacturer in the United States. Mihalski takes pride in supplying countless government entities and civilians with high-quality rifles. In addition to overseeing the expansion of the business, Mihalski has committed his career to education and fact-based advocacy for the Second Amendment. He travels the country training armorers and fervent firearms enthusiasts on rifle construction. Mihalski also provides counsel to federal, state and local officials on firearm policies.While many gun manufacturers shy away from debate and public comment on the firearm industry, Mihalski has, on many occasions, enthusiastically engaged in the public dialogue surrounding gun violence, mass shootings, and other firearm topics.https://sonsoflibertygw.com

On this episode we sit down with “Sandy” Wall.  Sandy is a retired Master Peace Officer and a 28-year veteran of the Houston Police Department. He has worked in Patrol, Narcotics, and has served 22 years on the HPD SWAT Detail. He served as a Team Leader for more than 12 years.After Law Enforcement he worked for Safariland Group as Director of Training for 15 years.He co-authored, “Training the SWAT Trainer”. (Thomas publishing)He is a multi-patent owner and inventor of the WallBanger Tactical System. Owner and CEO of Less Lethal Options, LLC.He has been recognized in the U.S. Federal Courts as a subject matter expert in Less Lethal Munitions and Tactics. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association and Tactical Response Magazine. He has instructed for the FBI, TTPOA, MSTOA, CATO, NTOA, LTPOA, ATOA, Florida SWAT Association, CATI, ALERRT and the US State Department.Check out his new book "The Long Ride Home" https://www.amazon.com/Long-Road-Home-Sandy-Wall/dp/B0B18N6M3KWhen Andy, a fresh-faced, naïve young man escapes his small town in Texas to embark on a career to become a big city cop, his life is changed forever. When he joins the Houston Police Department, his experiences, sometimes exciting, sometimes shocking force him to confront evils that most of us could never imagine, all while keeping his own demons at bay.  After ten years of service as a beat cop, and fighting crime in the dangerous world of narcotics in the nation's fourth-largest city, Andy accepts the ultimate challenge, joining the Houston SWAT Team. His limits are tested like never before and he finds himself living on the edge where he must face his greatest fears, and finally confront the adversaries who have taunted him along the way.

On this episode we sit down with Sal Hernandez.  Sal is currently a full time SWAT Officer for a large agency in Texas. He is a firearms instructor and part of our sniper team. I’ve been a Police Officer for 9 years.Prior to LE, he played D-1 college baseball.He's competed in several SWAT competitions prior to The Tactical Games and he comes from a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu background.He first heard about The Tactical Games while competing at the Florida SWAT roundup in November 2018. Tim Burke was a guest speaker at the opening ceremonies and talked about The Tactical Games.  He was immediately interested and competed at my first event in March 2019 at Reveille Peak Ranch in Texas. He knew that competing at The Tactical Games would strongly improve my performance at TTPOA and Florida SWAT round up competition’s. Training for and competing at The Tactical Games has also helped my individual skills as a Police Officer.The men’s elite competitors have pushed me to another level. There were several times in 2020 I thought that I should drop down to the intermediate division. Several men’s elite competitors reached out to me and gave me advice on how to get stronger and improve my physical performance. You won’t get that camaraderie anywhere else.He is truly grateful for all of the people he has met throughout the 7 Tactical Games he as competed in. Training for The Tactical Games has become a lifestyle for him and my wife who just competed in her first event.

On this episode we sit down with the TTPOA Sniper Cadre and discuss SNIPING and all things Sniper.  Mark Lang, Sean Harris, Mike Saxion and "The GOAT" Kelley Pirkle... These guys were a blast to sit down with and by far this was one of our favorite episodes to record.   

On this episode we sit down with Matt Pranka and Ben Stoeger.....  You just got to listen to the "Shit Show"....   Seriously on this episode Matt and Ben dive into competitive shooting in the tactical community and why we should be doing it.   Enjoy..!!

Sean Coldiron, served 15 years of his 21 years with the United States Border Patrol as a key leader with the full-time tactical team (BORTAC) in Tucson, Arizona.  Sean served the latter years of his service with BORTAC as the Deputy Commander.  Prior to the U.S. Border Patrol, Sean is a veteran of 2nd Bn / 75th Ranger Regiment.https://www.ironclad-cs.com

On this episode we sit down with Ben Stoeger and discuss shooting and life.  Practical Shooting is still his life. He travels, trains, competes, teaches and improves both his own skills and his training methods. Things change fast in the competitive shooting scene and he like to stay on top of the changes in order to shoot his best and teach his students to be the best.In 2005 he discovered the sport of Practical Shooting. This sport instantly became an addiction for him. He started training like it was his full time job and he got proficient quickly. He used dry-fire as his primary source of training and was able to make USPSA GM almost right away after starting competition.By 2007 h started attending USPSA Nationals in an effort to learn how to shoot better and improve his skills. This is the most challenging event in USPSA to win and it took him years more of training to do so.H began teaching other people to shoot in 2008. This started as a side gig at first but eventually it became his only occupation. In a few short years he was a traveling shooter/instructor and had published many of my ideas into a book series.

https://www.triarcsystems.comOn this episode we sit down with the Chris Reeves from TriArc Systems.  With a fervent interest for American war and weapons history, Chris Reeves founded TRIARC in September of 2013. As a former paratrooper, unit 1/505PIR in the 82nd airborne division, Chris’ military service of 14 years included two one-year combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chris was specifically trained and developed a strong talent for problem solving and working with mission specific equipment. Leadership skills were acquired during his deployments to Iraq as Chris was a squad leader and platoon sergeant in the 4th infantry division. Faced with battleground hardships, he had to ‘charlie mike’ (continue mission), many times when challenges seemed insurmountable.After being wounded overseas and receiving a Purple Heart, Chris retired from the military and remained in Texas to work in the firearms industry. He was finally able to converge all of his values to a specific task: fine tuning the modern AR weapon system. MANIFESTOA RIFLEMAN’S WORK GUN IS HIS CLOSEST COMPANION AND EXTENSION OF SELF— IT IS THE MAINSTAY OF PAST AND PRESENT WARS. AND THE GREAT MEN OF AMERICAN HISTORY REALIZED THAT IN WAR, THERE ARE NO RULES. ONE MUST GO INTO DEADLY GROUND WITH NO-HOLDS-BARRED IF HE WANTS TO COME OUT ALIVE. WHEN SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE FORCES STOOD IN THEIR WAY, THEY KNEW THERE WAS NO WHERE TO GO BUT FORWARD. TRIARC CONVERGES THESE TRADITIONS WITH EXTENSIVE TRIAL AND RESEARCH TO ARM USERS WITH FUNCTIONALLY INNOVATIVE WEAPON SYSTEMS. ULTIMATELY, TRIARC BUILDS TOOLS THAT EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.

On this episode we sit down with Matt Smith of Dallas SWAT and discuss "No Knock and Knock & Announce" warrant service.  We understand that this is a hot topic in the current climate facing Law Enforcement and SWAT Teams across the country and we would like for you to make your own decision.Matt has been with DPD for 22 years and a part of Dallas SWAT for over 17 years.  Matt has taught Basic SWAT, Advanced SWAT, Hazardous Warrant Entry, Hostage Rescue CQB, Advanced Hostage Rescue CQB, Tactical Firearms Training for the TTPOA.  

In this episode we sit down with husband and wife team Chase and Heather Twedell of F1RST (First Responder Stress and Trauma) and Nate from the Sports Academy at The Star.https://www.htwedell.orghttps://thestar.sportsacademy.usDr. Heather Twedell received her doctorate in forensic psychology from Alliant University in 2011.  She is a licensed psychologist in the states of Texas and California.  Dr. Twedell's work with first responders, along with her family ties to law enforcement, gives her a strong appreciation and understanding of the culture and stressors specific to first responders.Nate is one of the co-founding partners of Sports Academy and directs the elite performance programs in the facility. Nate also directly works with Sports Academy’s actor & entertainer program to develop role transformations and facilitates on sight training. Groups such as Netflix and Warner Bros. have contracted Nate as an onsite trainer. Nate also oversees and Sports Academy Tennis performance program. Nate became the head performance coach for Maria Sharapova in 2019.

On this episode we sit down with current LE / SWAT Wives and discuss the realities of being married to an LEO.

We sit down with Scott Jedlinski of Modern Samurai Project and some guy named Russ.  Scott Jedlinski is a lifelong martial artist (TKD, Muay Thai, BJJ). He has received hundreds of hours of training from people considered to be the best in the industry ranging from tactical/self-defense to competition.​Scott is a Master class shooter in USPSA and is the 16th recipient of the F.A.S.T Drill (#15) coin along with being a four stripe BJJ Purple Belt under Charles Gomes of Gracie Barra.Russ is from Ohio....LOL. Russ is an assistant instructor with Jedi and part of the Ohio Tactical Officers Association...  Russ you know we love ya..!!!

We talk with the new TTPOA President and the Vendor Coordinator to discuss the 2022 TTPOA SWAT Conference.  The conference this year will be held at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock..  Guys check out TTPOA.org for more updates to come...!!!https://www.ttpoa.orghttps://www.kalahariresorts.com/texas/

On this episode we sit down with Matt Pranka who is the owner of Xray Alpha, has 26 years of military experience in Special Operations and is a USPSA Grand Master in production Division.

Day 3 is done and all that is left is the Obstacle Course.....!!!  We sit down with the Texas A&M Marksman Team and the Team Leader from Brazos County SWAT and go over the events from Day 3 of the comp.