Born in Atlanta, raised in the metro area. Grew up exposed to the firearms world through hunting and competition shooting (shotgun). Began jiu jitsu and MMA in 2010 at Fusion Fitness and MMA with Brian Hill. Enlisted into the United States Marine Corps infantry in 2012, deployed twice to the Middle East, being combat meritoriously promoted to Corporal in Afghanistan, and serving as a squad leader on the second deployment. Honorably discharged in 2016. Earned a purple belt in jiu jitsu from Brian Hill in 2016 and fought several times with an overall record of 7-1. In 2017, joined a large metropolitan police department and earned the “Top Shot” and “Valedictorian” awards in the academy. Moved quickly from patrol to crime suppression and field investigations and has been a part of numerous critical incidents. James is a full time instructor at the police academy, he has earned the "coveted" Black Belt Patch from Brian....on more than one occasion, plus he is a POST Certified Firearms Instructor and has over 2,500 logged hours of POST training.
Accomplishments
Training certifications include; Combat Life Saver Live Tissue Infantry Squad Leaders Course Combat Hunter, Train the Trainer Patrol Rifle Field Investigations Tactical Field Operator Night Driving Techniques SWAT Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Active Shooter Response Executive Protection Less Lethal Device (Pepper-ball Gun) Building Entries Crowd Control Body language and Deception in High Risk Environments Gang Recognition and Identification TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care) Advanced Instructor Training Course Basic Narcotics Investigation Course Advanced Drug Interdiction Course Search and Seizure Undercover Operations Field Training Officer Course Several hundred hours of tactical/firearms training
