My Story

FORMER NAVY SEAL

DEFENSE STRATEGIES GROUP INSTRUCTOR

Zack is a former Navy SEAL team 7 veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq, Yemen, Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. He served as his platoons Lead Sniper/Point man, JTAC, Combatives Instructor, and Weapons Ordnance Specialist.

He is currently an instructor and Co-Owner of Defense Strategies Group, a collective of Special Operations Combat Veterans dedicated to continued service and empowering communities through defense training and security solutions. Our mission is dual-purpose: Provide world-class training by sharing decades of real-world Special Operations experience. Offer peace of mind to our clients by securing their families, employees, and interests

Additionally, Zack is a competitive 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, as well as an amateur MMA fighter. His goal is to continue to reach and connect with people through his Jiu-Jitsu content to help show that there are other communities out there to join when veterans leave active duty. It is a great lifestyle to re-acquire a purpose and to be a part of a community. 

He is an also an instructor for the Graceful Warrior Project. A non-profit organization that aims to equip in-duress women in Africa and Congo with self-defense skills. Congo is considered the “rape capitol of the world.” Zack finds tremendous pride and satisfaction knowing that teaching his self-defense instruction will help save women's lives. 

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Charleston.