With experience in airborne, airmobile, and specialist/light infantry units in the jungle, mountain, desert, arctic, urban, and CBRNE environments, he is a Distinguished Honor Graduate of US Army Ranger School. Steve was also selected to serve in Canada’s Special Operations community where he completed his military service as Operations Officer, Deputy Commanding Officer, and then Commanding Officer within Canada’s two strategic ‘special mission’ units.

As a student of leadership and human dynamic, Steve has worked with a wide variety of organizations (RCMP, Tier 1 SOF, FBI Academy Association, Ontario Tactical Advisory Body, Iron Stride Triathlon Training, Corrections Ontario, Probation Officers Association of Ontario, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Ontario Police Association, Canadian Forces College, 2 CF Flight Training School, St Lawrence College, Queen’s University, Halton Regional Police, Kingston Police, and Regina Police SWAT Roundup) through presentations and workshops to assist in considering best practices, building best teams with best leaders and achieving best results. Of note, Steve has worked with OTAB since 2005 in creating and conducting the challenging and successful Tactical Team Leaders’ Course.

He has a BA from RRMC/RMC (89) and an MDS (03) from RMC as well as a Bachelor’s (10) and Master’s (12) Degree in Education with a Leadership specialty.

Steve has studied martial arts for over 33 years and was graded to an 8th-degree black belt in January 2014 by Takemasa Okuyama. Further, he is an unarmed combat, use of force, and defensive tactics instructor.

He has been married to Kim for more than 25 years and has two girls, 23 and 21.

He was a Firearm’s and Defensive Tactics Instructor and recognized that the department needed more dynamic, stress-inducing, and scenario-based training.  He became a consummate student who began to train with others in the industry that were far more skilled and experienced.  He developed relationships and trained with San Jose Merge (SWAT), LAPD SWAT, and LASO SEB.  Along the way, he developed mentors who helped expose him to better tactics, planning, and critical decision-making.  He has continued to remain involved in the tactical world and continues to study from resources such as the California Tactical Officers Association (CATO), the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), and most recently, the International Law Enforcement Training Summit (ILETS).

Dan was also one of the developers and founding members of his department's tactical team.  One of his proudest accomplishments has been the creation of this team, from nothing to an 18-person functioning and professional team.  He served on the team for over 12 years.  His experience and exposure to real-world incidents have provided a depth of knowledge that will help the course students to develop stronger tactics, critical decision-making, prioritization of roles during events, and the ability to formulate plans to resolve high-risk encounters.

Within his last few months of service, Dan was in charge of multiple critical incidents within his city and outlying jurisdictions.  Dan dealt with a hostage situation involving an infant, multiple protests, his departments response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and was the incident commander during a tragic and horrific officer involved shooting where hundreds of law enforcement officers responded to the scene.  These experiences provide the students with real-life lessons learned. Not war stories, but practical discussions with humility of the challenges and what worked and what didn’t.  Dan looks forward to facilitating great discussions and learning moments within his classroom, and always learns something himself along the way.

Chris is the Director for Canada, a member on the Board of Tactical Advisors for the PTTA and Canada's only TRICOM Master Instructor; he is also an Advisory Board member with the Canadian Tactical Officers Association (CTOA).

Professional Background | Law Enforcement Certifications:​

• Use of Force Training Advisor | undisclosed Government Agency

• TriCom Master Instructor | Survival Edge Tactical Systems

• P.O.S.T. Certified Subject Matter Instructor | State of Wyoming

• Adjunct Defensive Tactics Instructor | Public Order Solutions

• Advanced Expandable Baton Instructor | Bonowi International Police Equipment (IPE)

• Gym Jones Tactical Instructor Level 2

• Verbal Judo Instructor | Verbal Judo Canada

• Adjunct Travel Security Instructor | Global Affairs Canada

• Former Use of Force & Firearms Instructor | Canada Border Services Agency​​

• Former Defensive Tactics Instructor | PPCT​

Chris' martial arts journey began with Muay Thai, where he then added Jujutsu and Filipino Martial Arts specializing in the TriCom (Tri-Angle Combatives) system under the Pekiti Tirsia Tactical Association. His training is under the tutelage of Tuhon Jared Wihongi and Mandala Jason Jones in Pekiti Tirsia Kali .

Randy Turner merged a series of skills into a comprehensive package specifically designed to assist our Military, Law Enforcement, Security Professional and the Government Agencies.  He has also adapted his training methodology to allow the general population to benefit from customized training courses. His courses allow students to adapt to challenging real-world scenarios with confidence in their acquired skills and decision-making abilities.

During his 21 years of Military service, Randy completed the first 5 years with the storied Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and 16 years as an Operator with Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2), within Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command.  Randy was fortunate to work with some of the finest soldiers around the world.  He was employed on eight operational deployments, including stints in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Lebanon.  Experiences were gained through a wide spectrum of missions sets:  from kill-capture missions in Afghanistan, to Close Personal Protection details for the Prime Minister of Canada.  The consummate professional, he balanced operational deployments, leadership roles, training and instructional development.  Mr. Turner played an integral role in the development and implementation of the Combative program utilized by his former Unit.

Complementing his Military service, Randy was an active professional Mixed Martial Arts athlete.  He fought professionally for ten years, retiring from competition in 2018.  During his MMA career, Randy was ranked in Canada’s Top 10, including two different weight categories (#8 at Bantamweight and #3 at Flyweight).  Randy became a Bantamweight Champion in 2012, successfully defending the title in 2013.  Since retiring, Mr. Turner has dedicated his time and energy developing other skills of interest, such as competition shooting.  He is a fierce competitor who has a thirst for challenges.  Randy currently takes part in IPSC shooting competitions and 3-gun shooting challenges.  He is an expert instructor with pistol, carbine rifle and shotgun firearms. 

In addition, Randy invests time in continued education.  His main areas of enlightenment reside in gathering knowledge through studies in Applied Sports Psychology, Human Behaviour, Nutrition, and Strength and Conditioning.  Through a variety of resources and course offerings, Randy continues to learn and apply certain areas of education to complement his instructional approach.

Randy Turner is the owner and lead instructor for Direct Action. The company provides full-spectrum combative training, blending a mixture of skills and experiences to create a system for self-defence and combative skill enhancement.  His humble and easy-going demeanour enables him to evolve, grow, adapt and share his combat expertise. 

Forged through years of trial and error, a form of Mixed Martial Arts has been designed. The design is intended to help resolve situations commonly witnessed in the streets, where there are no referees or rules. The system blends components of the following disciplines: Krav Maga, Commando Krav Maga, Combat Submission Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Freestyle Wrestling, Blauer Tactical System (SPEAR), Canadian Use of Force System, Kali, Sport Shooting (IPSC) and Combat/Tactical Shooting principles and concepts.