FOUNDER

SEAL

Mike spent over 9 years in Naval Special Warfare with extensive combat operations experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served as a JTAC, Intelligence Analyst, Lead Breacher, Communications Specialist and various other qualifications for his team.

He spent his last 3 years in the Navy teaching combat shooting and helping to develop the modern-day Combatives program at the Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDS). He has trained thousands of military members, government employees, law enforcement, and civilians.

He has an MBA from University of California, San Diego and a Bachelors from Boston University.

INSTRUCTOR

RANGER

Angel is a former Army Ranger and member of the 1st Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. He served for over 8 years, 24 of those months he was deployed between Iraq and Afghanistan. Angel is a combat shooter and Master Breacher and has extensive experience teaching pistol and rifle defensive shooting.

Angel is also the founder of the OG Pumpkin, clothing and lifestyle brand. He uses the proceeds from his business to fund Veteran initiatives and provide support to Active Duty Military.

In his free time, Angel is a competitive Muy Thai and BJJ fighter. He is currently finishing his Bachelor of Science at California State University, Long Beach.

INSTRUCTOR

SEAL

Zack is a former Navy SEAL team 7 veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq, Yemen, Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. He served as his platoons Lead Sniper/Pointman, JTAC, Combatives Instructor, and Weapons Ordnance Specialist.

Additionally, Zack is a competitive 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, as well as an amateur MMA fighter. His goal is to continue to reach and connect with people through his Jiu-Jitsu content to help show that there are other communities out there to join when veterans leave active duty. It is a great lifestyle to re-acquire a purpose and to be a part of a community. Ironically enough, Zack met DSG instructor Angel Cortes through his OG Pumpkin Jiu-Jitsu event.

He is an instructor for the Graceful Warrior Project, a non-profit organization that aims to equip in-duress women in Africa and Congo with self-defense skills. Congo is considered the “rape capitol of the world.” Zack finds tremendous pride and satisfaction knowing that teaching his self-defense instruction will help save women's lives.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Charleston. Lastly, he is the founder of Zackkferg.com where he designs and creates military-style Jiu-Jitsu rash guards.

INSTRUCTOR

SEAL

Alex is a 9 year Navy SEAL combat veteran with operational experience in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. He is a Naval Special Warfare Scout/Sniper and Communications Specialist.

Alex led the NSW Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training cell, putting in countless hours of high-risk training and instruction to thousands of active duty SEALs spanning CQB, target assaults, and internal and external breaching.

Alex has a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and his EMT certification. He also volunteers on the Bozeman, MT Search and Rescue team for high-risk mountain and river rescue.

INSTRUCTOR

MARSOC

Benjie Manibog is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Gunnery Sergeant from Los Angeles, California. During his nearly sixteen-year tenure in the Marine Corps, Benjie completed eight tours overseas, to include, two to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, counter terrorism operations in Yemen and serving in strategic roles as a Special Operations Foreign Liaison at U.S. Embassies abroad. Benjie specialized in sensitive activities and intelligence and reconnaissance operations.

As an instructor for DSG, Benjie has worked with Special Operations Forces (SOF), C-suite level executives, law enforcement officers, University coaches and division-1 athletes. In addition, he continues to support U.S. Navy Seals from Special Reconnaissance Team-1 by training them in counter surveillance and advanced special operations techniques. As a security professional, he’s led expeditions with clients through Africa, and conducted operations throughout Europe and the Middle East. Today, when he’s not traveling abroad, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children in Southern California

He earned his Master of Business from the University of Southern California, and his Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis from Norwich University.

INSTRUCTOR

US Marines

Nathan Mendes has over 20 years of local, state and federal law enforcement experience. He has worked in various assignments including Patrol, K9, SWAT, Sniper/ Observer, Homicide, Narcotics and Vice.

Nathan served in the U.S. Marine Corps, deploying to Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2004 with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. While in Iraq, Nathan was assigned to a Human Exploitation Team and International Police Liaison Team as a machine gun crewman, interrogator, and trainer/ liaison. His team was responsible for training and working alongside the fledgling Iraqi Police, Emergency Response Team (SWAT) and the Iraqi Special Forces.

Nathan is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and is the owner of Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, with affiliates in California and Hawaii.