By Matthew W. McNamara
Triple Canopy brings a new dimension to the tactical law enforcement training market. More than just a training organization, the company was established in 2003 to serve high-threat areas across the globe by integrating analysis, planning, protection, training and fundamentals such as communications, logistics, medical and life support services to create and sustain a secure operational environment for its clients. The name Triple Canopy was initially chosen to evoke the protection offered by a triple canopy jungle. That idea is still embraced but the company further defines themselves by the multiple layers of security they offer as well as the levels of redundancy built into every operation.
People Make the Difference
Founded by former members of the Army’s Special Operations Unit commonly known as Delta Force, Triple Canopy has grown to more than 1200 employees worldwide in less than three years. The company’s executive management team, operational team and cadre of operators include personnel who were formerly active Army Special Operations, SEAL Team 6, Ranger, Force Recon and Law Enforcement Tactical Officers. In January of 2006, Triple Canopy formed the Tactical Training Group or TTG. This group of former tactical operators and instructors has quickly and quietly become known for its instructor cadre and reality based training in all aspects of law enforcement, military and commercial training.
TTG’s personnel are able to utilize the full strength of Triple Canopy’s operational, logistical, and administrative capabilities, allowing them to support training not only in the continental United States, but abroad if needed.
Training
Triple Canopy’s Tactical Training Group offers specialized training to three markets; law enforcement, military and commercial sectors. The Group has already expanded into the nuclear and executive protection markets based on its reputation for providing excellent programs of instruction taught by personnel whose actual tactical experience is unsurpassed in the training community For military and commercial clients, nearly every course is customized to meet the client’s needs, training objectives, time allotment and the current skill levels of the people to be trained. Instructors are chosen at the time the training is scheduled and they are picked based on their operational backgrounds, instructor capabilities, professionalism and level of expertise in their area of instruction. With Triple Canopy’s worldwide operational tempo and the quality of personnel that the company as a whole attracts to its ranks, TTG has the benefit of an extremely large pool of instructional talent to put toward any and all efforts.
Examples of some of Triple Canopy’s course offerings to both the military and commercial markets are as follows:
- Advanced Urban Combat
- Convoy Security
- Military Protective Details
- Sniper Integrated Assaults
- Advanced Hostage Rescue
- Assault Team Leader
- Shoot House Instructor
- Advanced Tactical Marksmanship
- Personal Defense Measures
- Surveillance Detection
- Protective Intelligence
- Protective Security Details
- Guard Force
- Protective Detail Advances and Site Surveys
- Pre-Deployment
- Defensive Handgun
- Tactical Pistol
- Personal Security Awareness
- Surveillance Awareness
- Surveillance Detection
Law Enforcement Programs
Triple Canopy’s Tactical Training Group offers a range of law enforcement programs featuring some of the most unique and advanced tactical concepts available. The company’s success and rapid growth within the law enforcement training sector can be directly attributed to its caliber of instruction, particularly, Senior Manager of Law Enforcement Programs, Paul Howe. Paul joined Triple Canopy in early 2006 and is well known within the law enforcement community for his distinct instruction style and field experience. Prior to Triple Canopy, Paul served for over 20 years in the US Military with more than 10 years in the Army’s Special Operations Forces. During his tour in Special Operations Paul participated in multiple combat operations and conducted high-risk protection missions in several overseas venues. He was also a senior instructor within his unit and taught assault and sniper skills for two years. Additionally he provided training on high-risk, special operations missions for soldiers from various countries.
After leaving the Army, Paul founded Combat Shooting and Tactics (CSAT), teaching courses to the law enforcement, military, government security and civilian markets in both basic and advanced special missions and tactics. Paul is also the author of the recently published book Leadership and Training for the Fight.
When Paul joined Triple Canopy he brought with him all of his programs of instruction. Paul’s responsibilities within the Tactical Training Group include high-risk instruction, course development, course implementation and course refinement. Beyond this Paul is also the sole authority overseeing the selection, training and certification of instructors hired to teach Triple Canopy’s law enforcement courses. Until Paul determines that an instructor candidate is ready to professionally represent Triple Canopy and the Tactical Training Group, that instructor does not receive the opportunity to solo instruct. Each law enforcement instructor must be a quiet professional who represent the caliber, quality, personality and skill level of Triple Canopy and Paul Howe.
The Tactical Training Group’s law enforcement offerings include but are not limited to the following:
- Advanced Hostage Rescue
- Shoot House Instructor
- Tactical Team Leader
- Active Shooter Response Instructor
- Active Shooter Response
- Manual Breaching
- Shotgun Breaching
- Shotgun Breaching Instructor
- Night Vision Goggle Instructor
- Tactical Pistol
- Advanced Tactical Pistol
- Tactical Pistol Instructor
- Tactical Rifle
- Tactical Rifle Instructor
- Vehicle Assaults
- Custom Advanced Skills
- Executive Protection Training
Training Facilities and Operations
Currently Triple Canopy conducts all internal training at the Bill Scott Raceway (BSR) 40 miles away from Dulles airport in West Virginia. BSR has a 472 acre training facility that includes a two-mile, ten-turn road racing course, as well as shooting and tactical ranges. This facility and its resources are available for use when required by Triple Canopy’s clients. Triple Canopy also has full access to Paul Howe’s CSAT range located in Nacogdoches, Texas. This range sits on 225 acres and provides a shoot house, pistol range, law enforcement range, vehicle and moving target range, long-gun range, 100 yard rifle range and 400 yard shooting alley. When formed, the Tactical Training Group made the strategic decision to focus on providing Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) to its clients in order to help them save on the costs associated with having several members or employees travel to a fixed training site. The combination of Triple Canopy’s fixed site capability, along with their instructor’s ability to travel to any location help set it apart.
About the Author
Matthew W. McNamara was a police officer for 12 years, most recently Deputy Chief at the Cook County Sheriff’s Dept. (Chicago, Illinois). Matthew was formerly a Team Leader of his department’s Tactical Response Team and Director of the Illinois Tactical Officer’s Association and Chairman of the ITOA’s physical skills committee. Matthew is certified by the State of Illinois Training and Standards Board to instruct a wide variety of tactical, firearm and combatives related disciplines. He is currently the Senior Manager of the Tactical Training Group for Triple Canopy and may be reached at matt.mcnamara@triplecanopy.com