Public Sector

 “John’s passion for making his clients harder to kill, his respect for the end user’s needs and an evolving online learning center make Iron Arsenal a great choice for Law Enforcement as well as USG entities operating in austere environments.”

— KODY SEAMON . FORMER SEAL TEAM MEMBER . DEFENSIVE TACTICS INSTRUCTOR

“I strongly believe your instructor program has significantly enhanced our ability to provide successful Defensive Tactics techniques to the Department of Defense Contract Security Force. These techniques contribute significantly to our Force Protection capabilities, and will ensure the sound and reliable application of empty hand control tactics...
Your personal dedication to serving the military and law enforcement, practical real world experience and simple, effective, proven techniques are the hallmark of your program. I greatly appreciate you sharing these with our instructors. I believe as a result of this, we will be much better prepared to carry out our mission.”

— NICHOLAS POULOS . CONTRACT SECURITY MAJOR . DIRECTOR OF TRAINING

“John Brown has developed a broad and adaptable curriculum in his Iron Arsenal Defensive tactics program. It can compliment any existing D.T. program within an agency, or become a solid foundation of which to build a custom program.”

— CHRIS LEIN . FOUNDER OF THE C.L.A.M.P. / G.R.A.S.P. SYSTEMS . FORMER VP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY TRAINERS INC. . 30+ YEARS AS AN OFFICER WITH THE KCMO POLICE DEPARTMENT

“I have been placed in countless unsafe situations with patients that were mentally unstable, whether that be from bystanders and family, substance abuse, head injuries of some kind, or mental illness. The skills that I learned within the Iron Arsenal Defensive Tactics program gave me the tools needed to remain calm and think clearly in a stressful situation, and at times defend myself in such a way that would not cause further harm to myself, my crew, or my patient.”

— CHRIS PAGE . NATIONAL REGISTERED PARAMEDIC

“John’s Iron Arsenal training gives me the confidence that I will be able to handle any situation that I encounter. He is able to instruct not only in hand to hand combat, but also with less lethal and lethal weapons. I would recommend the Iron Arsenal program to anyone looking for a way to effectively train law enforcement or military operators. John’s knowledge, experience and teaching ability are an asset that could be used to make anyone better at handling all situations that they could encounter.”

— CAPTAIN ERIC MCCULLOUGH . SWAT TEAM LEADER

“With actual field experience in the application of the Iron Arsenal program, I can tell you that without John Brown, myself, my teams, and our patients of the community we serve, we might not have been able to go home to our families. It is with the highest level of recommendation that you should consider Mr Brown, and the Iron Arsenal Defensive Tactics program.”

— TIM COTTRELL . SENIOR FIRE CAPTAIN . SWAT MEDIC OPERATOR . NATIONAL REGISTERED PARAMEDIC

“I am honored to recommend Iron Arsenal Defensive Tactics program as your next defensive unarmed combat Program of Instruction (POI). The reasons I have confidence recommending this POI are the program details, the owner’s life-long dedication to this craft, and the decades of experience John Brown has in running a successful and sustained business.

As a product of several combatives POIs provided to operators in the U.S. Army Special Forces, I have personally reviewed the Iron Arsenal POI for level-1 certification and was extremely impressed with the depth and breadth of instruction provided in this POI. Although the lexicon of combatives is somewhat universal, Iron Arsenal brings in many new techniques and themes throughout the program that have been developed and perfected over decades. Iron Arsenal’s instruction techniques and methods are unique, as there is focus on gross motor movements. Anyone who has been to other combatives programs can still learn valuable and life-saving techniques based on Iron Arsenal’s POI. Graduates of the program will have access to reach back capabilities and videos to ensure knowledge and skills stay current.

You can read Mr. Brown’s resume but let me emphasize, John is a person who has dedicated his life to the fighting arts. He also has a lifetime of teaching martial arts/combatives and has put his training to the test in competition and in real-life. John has worked with dozens of agencies and organizations over the past three decades and hones his fighting craft daily. With his lean business model, Iron Arsenal will be there to train your personnel and then certify your instructor staff, well into the future.

Whether you are with law enforcement, a government agency, private business or the military, there are many new skills waiting for you or your team to learn through John and his instructors at Iron Arsenal. I sincerely hope you are able to select this program and take advantage of all it has to offer.”

— KENT C. DOLASKY . SERGEANT MAJOR, UNITED STATES ARMY SPECIAL FORCES (RETIRED) INSTRUCTOR OF RECORD, JOINT SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIVERSITY“ 

Private Sector

I first approached The ISE Group to take part in special training for personal Defensive Tactics. I have found the skills I have learned to be invaluable and empowering.

As a female physician who deals with emotionally charged issues and complex family relationships in the workplace, the possibility of aggressive or dangerous interactions is always present. The skills I have acquired through working with The ISE Group have made me feel confident that I can remain calm, establish a safer environment for myself, my patients and staff, and defend  myself without causing harm.  The tactics were easy to learn, easy to recall and are effective even if the aggressor is larger or stronger.  Because these situations are rare, retraining for easier recall is optimal.

I returned for training with my team and fellow practitioners to establish a Crisis Mitigation team under the guidance of The ISE Group.

This group has an enormous amount of experience in many different areas of mitigation and crisis training, defensive tactics, and common sense practices that apply throughout our day in the hospital as well as at home and abroad. Their commitment and dedication to clients is uncommon and exceptional. I would highly recommend the consulting and programs offered through The ISE Group for all healthcare workers and for those that interact with the public in potentially difficult or emotional situations.”

—Brenda Shoup, MD

“If a single word could encompass the comprehensiveness of The ISE Group & Iron Arsenal training, it’s ‘flow.’

Fluidity in thought; fluidity in the training; Fluidity in movement, as one technique flows to the next.

 When I enrolled in Iron Arsenal training and contracted ISE to train team members, I was expecting to learn basic combatives. I knew this group trained Law Enforcement Officers, military and professional fighters. I expected to learn basics, but his teaching style is so much more than that.

 The ISE Group doesn’t simply coach fighters. They develop thinkers, strategists, and leaders: people who are expected to deliver high performance in high stress environments – whether that’s on the mat, in the field, or in a corporate environment. Of all of the mental models I’ve studied – peak performance, interpersonal communication, business management and organization design– the model espoused by ISE is the most extensible and effective. Because it is not restricted to a specific environment or situation. Because it is adaptable and relevant. Because it flows.

In the beginning, we learned simple, but effective techniques, presented in real world scenarios. Crisis management, personal protection, weaponized assailant, active shooter, fire and other threats. The training is personalized based on the need, or the physical aspects of a student or team (ie, left-handed, small stature, or long-limbed). For example, one of our guys is military, preparing for overseas deployment. His scenario is different than business exec traveling overseas. The curriculum adeptly calls out scenarios, situations that will be relevant to each.

As a leader in a corporate environment, I’m responsible for the performance and development of more than 200 people in four countries. The ISE Group’s insights and applications have helped me to be mindful of my interactions. Am I ‘puffing up’ and taking a verbal assault head on because of pride, or am I deflecting a blow/comment with a slight adjustment, letting it pass while retaining a position of strength? The thoughtfulness behind the mitigation techniques far exceed anything I’ve ever experienced in my adult life.”

—Joe Ramsey

“I have trained over 15 years in several different mitigation, tactical & combative systems, but have not encountered another like ISE’s. I’ve heard it said that the problem with systems is systems. As long as the conditions you train under are the conditions you encounter then the system works. What I have loved about ISE Group’s approach is that it is “real world”. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, expertise, and creativity to our training and the benefits have been noticeable. I have, in a short amount of time, been equipped with practical and versatile tools that have better prepared me for anything I might encounter in the workplace, travel, or home, than any other training, or preparation I have received ever before. I would whole heartedly recommend The ISE Group and their approach to consulting and securing your executives and teams.”

—Joel Perry 

“After receiving consultation and then training from The ISE Group, I came to understand the meaning of ‘gap’ fillers. The ISE Group assesses strengths, weakness, and tendencies that allow them to know where they need to come alongside a team, and where training needs to be inserted. ISE has helped me develop the tools and the mental self & situational awareness  to feel confident that I can first avoid a confrontation or have the opportunity to end a situation quickly if it escalates.  For my job I frequently travel to St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Washington DC, New York and other locations, many times by myself, and I am thankful that I have had ISE’s training to make me actively aware of my surroundings and how I carry myself.  I highly recommend their consulting and approach to personalized team and corporate crisis mitigation training.”

—Kevin Wallace

“ISE’s approach to consulting, mitigation, corporate tactical & defensive training, is evolutionary, ever changing, always being molded and refined. 

The ISE Group understands there is not one way to do something. When it comes to securing assets and applying team mentoring, there is not just one mold or broad standard to adhere to. Rather, the ISE Group approaches consulting with an open mind. Skill sets from a vast expanse of real world expertise are used, creating   "the best of the best." Personalized programs that are adaptable to the corporate environment and executive individual. What works for one company or in one demographic may not work for another. What also sets their training apart from others is the attention to and teaching of the mental aspects. ISE teaches mental awareness, sharpens mental acuity, and builds mental toughness through their trainings.”

—Chad Schauffler 

“I began training with The ISE Group, which was an initial 12 week commitment of specialized training. This training is life skill training that is self-defense and situational awareness, and combat training for corporate executives, at its foundation. The foundational training is of course critical, however, the ‘Group’ continues with further instruction, allowing me to experience the clear direct correlation between combatives training and how this translates again and again to my personal and professional growth and development. I have always thought of myself as successful in my career in part due to my ability to interact, relate, read, and understand those that I work with and clientele. I can say that until spending a considerable amount of time with the ISE Group, I was missing a critical element in my approach, that being an awareness and better understanding of myself in these relationships and critical moments of communication. As skilled as I thought I was, I was not at a level I was even aware existed. I did not have complete understanding of my own ‘foundation’ and the impact that it has in my personal and professional life. 

If you are driven, committed, disciplined, and seeking the next level of personal and professional growth that can be applied to every aspect of your life, you will be pleased with your experience if you elect to spend the energy and time necessary to improve through the ISE Group’s training regime. The ISE Group clearly possess the skills necessary to learn where you are and show you paths to improvement on many levels.”

—Scott Woods, Vice President Physician Network Mid-America Region/Vice President Senior Care