Tim Kennedy’s legend began at his local Army recruiter’s office on September 12th, 2001. His training to earn his Green Beret was featured in the book “Chosen Soldier.” Kennedy is now a Ranger qualified Special Forces Sniper with deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and multiple other deployments around the world. He is the only soldier to win the grueling 3 day All Army Combatives Tournament three times. Kennedy has black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Modern Army Combatives. He is also one of the top-ranked mixed martial arts fighters in the world, a position he achieved while simultaneously serving his country at the highest levels of special operations. Prior to his retirement from professional mixed martial arts, he was ranked among the top Middleweights in the UFC. Tim has been featured on many television shows, most recently “Hunting Hitler” on the History Channel, and Hard to Kill on the Discovery Channel.

Sergeant Major Matt Smith is a US Army Green Beret and 20-year veteran of Special Operations. He is a Special Missions Unit alumni and master tactics trainer. He is an Army TCCC instructor, certified Flight Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, Diving Medical Technician, and has conducted joint medical mission planning for some of the top tier units within Special Operations. His certifications include Master Parachutist, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster, and Combat Diving Supervisor. SGM Smith is a Master Diver and currently runs the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West, FL. He has been featured on Discovery Channel training the nation’s finest Special Operators on clandestine infiltration. He has deployed as a direct action operator to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and multiple other deployments worldwide. SGM Smith has spent decades training multinational Special Operators, Law Enforcement, and other Government/DOD Agencies in advanced tactics and combat medicine. He competes in military combatives tournaments, civilian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, and trains in MMA.

Justin Lakin spent 8 years in the military between active duty and the National Guard as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, or “Green Beret.” During his time in the military he conducted multiple deployments to Central/South America, and Afghanistan- during which he was awarded a Bronze Star for service. After receiving an honorable discharge he went on to help the Texas National Guard as a Combat Marksmanship technician in 2009, where he oversaw development and implementation of the marksmanship program for the entire state of Texas National Guard element. This is when he first began working alongside the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training element, or ALERRT, in supporting the training of both the military and law enforcement agencies in. He has since worked as a defense contractor conducting security type operations and training in other areas around the world to include Africa- while maintaining a relationship with ALERRT by continuing to train/support law enforcement agencies as available. Over the course of his career, Justin has helped train over 10,000 individuals across military, law enforcement, and civilians.

He is a USCCA certified Concealed Carry and Home Defense Instructor. In addition he is a competitive shooter regularly competing in the Elite Division of the Tactical Games, USPSA matches, and steel matches. He also regularly trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Olympic lifting.

Justin Jones is an Amphibious Reconnaissance Marine with over ten years in the Marine Corps. He has completed multiple deployments, including to Afghanistan, the middle east and southeast Asia. Through the Marine Corps he is certified in Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Range Safety and Laser Range Safety Officer, Foreign Weapons Instructor, Helicopter Rope Suspension Master, Static Line Jumpmaster, and advanced pistol and carbine marksmanship. Justin also holds the secondary military occupational specialty of Advanced Security Forces Advisor. Outside the military, Justin is a certified NRA Range Safety Officer as well as NRA Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun Instructor. Justin is currently active in the Marine Reserves as well as working full time for Sheepdog Response.

Zach is a US Navy veteran and brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He began training BJJ while stationed in Hawaii in 2009. He has competed and trained all over the United States, as well as in Japan while there on deployment. Zach has taught at many different gyms, as well teaching the BJJ clubs at the University of Texas Austin and San Antonio while earning his bachelor's degree. He continues his training under head instructor, sixth degree black belt Paulo Brandao, at Gracie Humaita Austin,TX.

Travis is a retired Special Forces Weapons and Senior/Operations Sergeant, with over twenty years of Infantry and Special Operations experience. He has served on multiple combat rotations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo; as well as many additional deployments to other areas around the globe.

He is a U.S. Army Certified Instructor/Trainer and has served as an Instructor at the US Army’s Ranger School. Travis is a seasoned and experienced leader and instructor. He is well versed in teaching small unit tactics and marksmanship skills from novice to advanced levels.

Jeremiah is an active duty green beret, currently serving a tour at Special Warfare Center & School. He is also a retired professional MMA fighter, a competitive olympic lifter, and one the current top ranked USPSA and 3 Gun competitors in the country.

Travis Joyner is a seasoned law enforcement officer, professional MMA fighter, and expert in defensive tactics for police officers.

Travis is a native Texan who has been studying martial arts from a young age. He continued his training as an adult and has primarily focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and Muay Thai. Travis holds rank in several marital arts and received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2011. Travis has been competing as an adult since 2004, and has competed successfully in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi grappling, Freestyle Sambo and has fought professionally in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Travis has over 10 years of Law enforcement experience in an urban environment. During that time Travis has attained numerous certifications related to police defensive tactics and firearms training. Travis has taught law enforcement defensive tactics for several years and is also a firearms instructor. Travis has been teaching martial arts for over a decade. Travis brings an insight into close quarters weapon based fighting and it’s application for civilians and law enforcement.

Jim is a world-class mixed martial artist who has tangled with many of the best fighters in the world, and currently sits at third all-time for wins in the UFC’s lightweight division. Building off his base as a wrestler, Jim has added world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai to his repertoire, all topped off with the ability to maintain a high pace from bell-to-bell.

Jeff Tiegs is a Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Expert with over 25 years of service in US Army Special Operations. He has commanded units during combat operations around the globe including Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Jeff entered the United States Army as a Private, serving in the 1st Ranger Battalion, where he first experienced combat parachuting into Panama during Operation Just Cause and served as a Ranger squad leader in Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. After getting commissioned in college he served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion until volunteering for Special Forces and getting assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group. He participated in the initial invasion for Operation Iraqi Freedom, returned to Iraq for more rotations with Special Forces, and then volunteered for duty with a Special Mission Unit under the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). He spent over a decade as an operator with USASOC and completed multiple combat rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has received numerous awards, including five bronze stars for distinguished service and a silver star awarded for valor during combat.

Now he is taking his experience and applying it to the fight against sex trafficking and the exploitation of women and children around the globe. As the Chief Operating Officer for All Things Possible Ministries (ATP), Jeff leads a team of dedicated professionals to shed light in the darkness, wherever it may try to hide. He is taking his hard-earned skills and putting them to work to:

• • Identify, Interrupt and Restore those affected by trauma.
• • Free the oppressed around the globe.
• • Build leaders that protect the vulnerable.

ATP Ministries is a faith-based organization that works on a global scale to identify and restore victims of trauma from abuse and its damaging effects in order to free people from their suffering and interrupt the cycle of abuse for future generations.

Jeff was an accomplished ultrarunner and endurance athlete before making the switch to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Recognizing that he has been trained by the best and entrusted with hard earned martial skills, he is honored to be able to share those skills and experiences with Sheepdog Response.

James is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and an expert in hand to hand combat. James is also a high level pistol and rifle shooter, dedicated to being a well-rounded sheepdog. He helps teach our Unarmed Lethality techniques at our training events.

Trevor Prangley is a South African mixed martial artist, hand to hand combat expert, and avid shooter. He has fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, and Bellator, among others. Trevor competed in the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions, winning multiple highly regarded championship titles. Trevor brings a unique perspective to situational awareness and violence of action.