MIKE SEEKLANDER - WELCOME ABOARD!

THE BEST DEFENSE Producer Tim Cremin and I are pleased to announce that ace trainer Mike Seeklander will be joining TBD as our primary firearms instructor! Mike joins veteran host Michael Janich, giving us a new All-Mike format.

Of course you've seen Mike Seeklander not only on the first season of TBD, but on SHOOTING GALLERY this season as well. Mike has been Director of Training for U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, is the founder of Shooting Performance website (www.shooting-performance.com) and recently completed his first book, "Your Competition Handgun Training Program."

His background is impressive. Check out this bio:

I am currently employed as the Director of Training at the United States Shooting Academy. Previously, I was a Senior Instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C. Prior to that I served as the Branch Chief and Lead Instructor for the Federal Air Marshal firearms division, as well as instructing in the Tactics and Physical Training divisions at the Federal Air Marshal Training Center in Atlantic City, N.J. I was responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of all firearms and tactical shoot-house instruction for the Federal Air Marshal Service basic training. In addition, I was credentialed as a Federal Air Marshal, providing counter-terrorism security to commercial American air carriers nationwide.

I am A combat veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, with five years of active duty and four years of reserve duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, as an intelligence specialist and primary marksmanship instructor. Prior to receiving my honorable discharge in 2000, I was attached to a Federal multi-agency task force investigating large-scale international drug trafficking.

From 1995-98, I was employed by the Knox County (TN) Sheriff’s Department’s Corrections division and was a member of its highly trained Special Operations Response Team. From 1998-2001, I worked as a police officer for the Knoxville (TN) Police Department where I was assigned as a patrol officer and also as an investigator for the Organized Crime section, investigating narcotics and vice-related crimes at the local, state and federal levels.

I am the recipient of numerous awards and honors in the law enforcement community, and as a semi-professional shooter. While training part time, I have placed highly in every major practical type championship on the circuit and have more than a dozen titles at major matches including state and area matches in IPSC and IDPA style matches including a second place finish at the 2007 European Handgun Championships, and top 5 finishes at the U.S. Nationals, the World Speed Shooting championships and NRA Action Pistol championships. I am currently ranked as a Grandmaster (the highest rank obtainable) by the United States Practical Shooting Association. Shooting has not been my only passion, and I have more than 15 years of experience in various martial arts, holding multiple ranks including a Black Belt in Okinawan Freestyle Karate.

You can see the World Class skillset that Mike brings to TBD. Most importantly, all of us have been impressed with Mike's aility to tailor his training not just for elite shooting athletes, but for the new shooter focused on self-defense. It's a rare talent.

You'll start seeing TBD episodes with Mike in January 2012. In the meanwhile, our current ace instructor Rob Pincus will be handling the heavy-lifting chores on TBD/SURVIVAL, continuing our absolute goal of providing you with the information you need.

Welcome aboard, Mike!