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Below is our recent interview with Kelly D. Venden from Criterion Tactical:
Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to Criterion Tactical?
A: Criterion Tactical, LLC is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) providing relevant civilian self-defense and Law Enforcement/Military tactical weapons and operational training. Focusing on skill development and competent weapons handling, along with the critical awareness tools to first deter hostility then on self-preservation skills when all else fails.
Q: What makes you the best source for world class training?
A: Criterion Tactical, LLC is a word class training provider due to our level of instructors who are credible in the industry, educated and shaped by their worldwide experiences. Military Special Operations, Federal Law Enforcement, Department of Defense contract support, and a lifelong concern for one’s ability to be self sufficient in defending themselves. It’s said “…a police officer is only a phone call away…” meaning ones confident ability to first avoid, then utilize minimal self-defense to remain healthy is a critical issue in today’s America. Our courses enable people whether weapons handlers or businesses, and their employees to first understand that paying attention to their environment provides ‘time to react’ against a potential incident. Utilizing common sense approaches our learners can apply mental techniques to make sound decisions whether working to avoid confrontation, or apply defensive techniques when forced to defend.
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Q: Can you give us insights into your courses?
A: Criterion Tactical, LLC training courses are truly based on the relevant foundation of common sense; this applies to situational awareness, weapons handling, self-defense, and life in general. Personal responsibility and accountability for their actions which guide one’s activities and hopefully keeps them safe, with emphasis on law abiding responses. Vetted techniques successfully utilized in combat keeping our aviators alive during dogfights, to physical techniques developed by our military Special Operations enabling America’s military dominance across the globe, these weapons techniques are based on our body’s natural abilities and efficiency in motion. Goal being a subconscious reaction whereby when there’s no time to think about it, one’s training provides a life saving response.
Q: Does being aware of your surroundings drastically reduce safety incidents?
A: Absolutely; no different then in industry where policy and procedures guide safe operations with training, and signs to remind them our awareness of people, things, and events look to guide our actions. I use the ‘driving analogy’ to provide insight to this. Driving a vehicle one is always (or should be) looking for dangerous drivers, stop lights, kids running into the road, police and thinking ahead on what actions to take IF any of these transpire. Being aware of one’s surrounding whether walking your neighborhood or parking at your office space our awareness must not be of complacency; but of ‘looking’ for what may be danger lurking about.
Recommended: Q: Who has the right to self-defense?
A: A quote I like to keep close; “Self-Defense is not just a set of techniques; it’s a state of mind, and it begins with the belief that you are worth defending”. Teaching Texas License to Carry classes the center most theme is “self-preservation is the key to survival” as in, if as a parent or spouse and is not alive or able to protect his/her family then the family is also at risk. And I for one, cannot fathom my failure to protect what is most dear to me. No one likes or wants to live in fear; self-protection is not only an inalienable right under our Declaration of Independence but guided by our Bill of Rights as Americans.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: As a business owner I’ve expanded into providing Armed Security services to private schools as well as assisting businesses in creating their own security postures and response protocols. Rising work place and school violence incidences require common sense approaches to security postures; not always armed staff but with emphasis on awareness by the staff and students and practiced responses not unlike Fire Alarm drills. Regardless of the location, everyone must be involved and aware to detect and hopefully deter the next violent incident.
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