David Dalton:
A seasoned professional with years of law enforcement and military experience. David Dalton provides a wealth of experience, professionalism, and expertise to preparing the next generation of operators, officers, and protectors. Serving a total of 17 years in Law Enforcement, with 15 of those on a SWAT team in the New Orleans Metro area as a Team Leader. David Dalton has led numerous high-risk operations requiring precision, discipline, and tactical expertise. His leadership during SWAT operations and training sets the standard of the teams relentless and excellent execution under stress. During SWAT training, David Dalton ensures his officers are forged into highly skilled SWAT operators, sharping their skills in close quarter combat room clearing tactics, tactical marksmanship, and real-world readiness to best serve and protect the public. For 7 years, David Dalton has been a certified Louisiana firearms instructor, training and mentoring law enforcement officers in advanced weapons handling and fundamental marksmanship. David Dalton also served 6 years in the LANG 159th Fighter Wing SFS. The units focus being base defense and convoy security. As a Fire Team Leader, he provided a strong foundation of leadership, strategy, and a mission focused operational success mind set to his team. David Dalton’s vision is to execute objectives as a professional, committed to saving lives through precision, expertise, and unwavering resilience. Strive to provide effective solutions in critical situations utilizing a strong background in high-risk operations, rapid deployment, and emergency response. Aim to uphold the highest standard of excellence in every mission, while leveraging advanced rescue tactics, teamwork, and adaptability to ensure the safety and survival of those in need. Be passionate about continuous training, innovation, and leadership in life saving operations.
Rashard Boykin:
Rashard Boykin defines what it means to be a professional and truly is an expert in his craft. Rashard Boykin is a tactics instructor with over 15 years of military, contracting, and law enforcement experience. He served in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces and as a U.S. Marine, with a combat deployment to Afghanistan and the Pacific theater while earning multiple instructor certifications in combat skills and tactics, leadership, and foreign military advising.
After his military service, Rashard worked as a defense contractor and then entered law enforcement, serving as a Patrol Deputy, Special investigation Detective, and a SWAT Operator. He has advanced to SWAT Team Leader, overseeing high-risk operations and training of the team. His skill set and knowledge not only drives his success but others around him. Heavily relied on for advice, training, and the successful executions of real-world tactical operations, Rashard is an asset to any team.
Rashard now brings his proven experience to the training environment, delivering practical, disciplined, and result-driven instruction. Most importantly, he is a husband and father, with values that guide his leadership and teaching every day.
Christian Varnado:
With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years in law enforcement and 13 years in military service, Christian Varnado brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and dedication to every endeavor. Christian Varnado’s law enforcement journey has encompassed a range of roles, from patrol officer and detective to specialized unit assignments. During his 14 years as a Police Officer in the New Orleans Metro area, Christian Varnado has been a part of, which included planning and executing hundreds of high-risk search and arrest warrants as part of being both a narcotics and homicide detective. Christian Varnado worked closely with the Drug Enforcement Administration, leading complex investigations resulting in numerous State and Federal convictions. Christian Varnado was also previously assigned to the United States Marshall’s Service, where he responsible for locating and apprehending violent offenders across the metro area. Christian Varnado is currently a police officer in the Mandeville area. Parallel to his law enforcement career, Christian Varnado has served with distinction in the military, where he honed his skills in leadership, crisis management, and strategic operations. Christian Varnado began his military career as a Russian Linguist Interrogator for the United States Army National Guard. After a 21-year break in service and at the age of 48, Christian Varnado joined the Air National Guard where he is assigned to the 159th Security Forces Squadron. Christian Varnado was awarded Honor Graduate of his Security Forces Academy Class, which encompassed nearly 100 students. During his second stint with the military, Christian Varnado has been able to train with, and learn from, various Special Operations Forces Units including the United States Army Special Forces and the United States Marine Corps MARSOC. Known for his adaptability and resilience, Christian Varnado has navigated high-pressure environments both as a police officer and a military service member. Whether responding to critical incidents, coordinating multi-agency responses, or leading teams through challenging circumstances, Christian Varnado has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of service. Driven by a passion for continuous learning, Christian Varnado has pursued advanced training and certifications in both fields, staying at the forefront of evolving best practices.
Dustin Dalton:
During his career in law enforcement and SWAT, Dustin Dalton has operated in high-stress environments. Having trained extensively in CBQ tactics, dynamic entry, and high-risk operations, while maintaining a foundation in everyday patrol work and community safety, focused on precision, discipline, and a strategic mindset under pressure. His SWAT background has sharpened his ability to work under pressure, excel in a team environment, apply advanced firearm skills, and the execution of high-risk operations. Dustin Dalton is certified in both mechanical and ballistic breaching and has served as the lead mechanical breacher in SWAT operations, including narcotics raids, and fugitive apprehensions. Dustin Dalton brings a combination of field experience and instructional expertise, ensuring that all students are mission-ready, safety-focused, and tactically sound. He has the ability to channel his knowledge and experience into pushing students to their very best while ensuring they understand safety and responsibility. Dustin Dalton emphasizes that students build stronger skills, along with greater confidence and judgment. His mission is to ensure every operator is equipped with the skills, mindset, and confidence to act decisively when seconds matter.
Gary Kessel :
Gary Kessel is a seasoned security and law enforcement professional with over two decades of experience in tactical operations, counterterrorism, and international training. A former SWAT officer in the New Orleans Metro area, he spent more than 15 years conducting high-risk operations including hostage rescues, barricaded gunman incidents, and dignitary protection for heads of state and high-net-worth individuals. His years on SWAT cemented his reputation as an expert in close-quarters battle, firearms, and crisis response.
Building on his tactical foundation, Gary went on to specialize in counterterrorism and global security training. As a GATA II Instructor for the U.S. Department of State’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program, he developed and delivered advanced training to military and police forces worldwide. His work included mentoring and equipping specialized units across Africa,Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caribbean to better respond to terrorism and threats against U.S. diplomatic facilities.
His expertise has been sought after by some of the world’s most elite forces. While working as an instructor at MidSouth Combat Institute, he trained U.S. Navy Special Warfare operators, U.S. Army Special Forces, and international special operations units including the British Special Air Service (SAS), Dutch Commandos, and Germany’s Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine (KSM). His instruction has encompassed combat pistol and rifle tactics, night vision operations, and counter-assault techniques, ensuring allied forces were prepared for the highest-threat environments.
In addition to his counterterrorism work, Gary has extensive overseas experience as an embedded police mentor and security consultant, having worked closely with the Afghan National Police to strengthen local security and the rule of law. He has also trained and advised Haitian National Police units, further demonstrating his ability to adapt and succeed in diverse and high-risk environments.
Currently serving as an Armed Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) Handler, Gary continues his mission of safeguarding people and infrastructure. He specializes in Vapor Wake detection to proactively identify explosives and person-borne firearm threats, integrating his tactical experience with modern security technologies.
Proficient in Haitian Creole and Spanish, Gary is as comfortable working alongside international and multi-cultural students and leading tactical instruction. Recognized repeatedly for his service, including multiple “Deputy of the Month” awards and “Deputy of the Year” award, he remains committed to advancing global security, counterterrorism readiness, and civilian proficiency.