SGPT interviews Navy SEAL Jason Pike

SGPT: Tell us about yourself?

JP: My name is Jason Pike. I have 3 young boys. I live in Midland, Texas where I operate a tactical training business for LE and Civilians. I live a pretty simple life. Work, kids, and friends.

SGPT: What BUDS class did you graduate from? What Team did you serve at?

JP: I graduated in class 236 and was a plank owner at SEAL Team 7 in San Diego, California.

SGPT: What was the hardest part of BUDS for you?

JP: The hardest part of BUDS for me was running. I took 9 months to train prior to entering the Navy. I finally got up to 6 miles per day at about 8 minute/mile. That was fresh and it was very rare that you had a run or swim first thing in the morning. It was usually after being hammered for hours elsewhere. I learned to follow students that ran track during the sand runs which helped me rebuild my current stride to a longer one. It took a few months but it helped drop my run times from the mid 8 minutes to 6:45-7:15 per mile.

SGPT: What was the funnest thing you ever did in the Teams?

JP: I don’t even know where to start with this one. I would have to say CQB/CQD. Just the power that a team has running in a house is amazing. Second to that I would say fast roping and rappel out of helos.

SGPT: Tell us about your current business?

JP: Trident Tactical Solutions is Christian based business. Designed to reach out to the civilian and Law Enforcement at a price that all can afford on our range as well as online web based video training.

Special Operations Command Resources (SOC-R). This organization is used to support our local Law Enforcement and EMS if something catastrophic were to happen. The members are trained in defensive and combative techniques, team movement, prisoner controlling, basic medical, riot control, command and control, hostage negotiation, threat escalation and de escalation, land navigation, and other areas of expertise. We are working on expanding these teams throughout the U.S to increase the safety of our communities.

I am currently preparing to start a new organization called Women’s Self Defense Organization tailored strictly to women. The members will meet once a month to discuss items such as situational awareness, psychological tactics, shooting, and Commando Krav Maga. They will also be placed into role playing exercises so they can get real training value from the courses we offer.

SGPT: How did you start that?

JP: Trident was opened up due to former local LE claiming they were former Special Forces to draw in customers and due to their pricing as well. A lot of businesses only tailor to those who can afford $300-$500 classes. We took our expertise and made affordable courses for all citizens that want to learn self defense. We currently are the leading tactical training business in our area and are working on adding more instructors to expand further throughout Texas.

SGPT: Who is a typical client that you serve? What can they learn?

JP: We serve all types. Mostly your average citizen and family. We see preppers that pay for private courses that get special attention in areas they desire to fit their lifestyles, elderly, children, husbands and wives as well as those who have medical disabilities. As far as what they get out of our training our normal courses are designed to teach specific techniques. If we get a private group we ask them what are they wanting to accomplish. Then we build a new course that is geared toward their lives.

We spend quit a bit of time helping those who have issues medically by teaching them how to compensate for their problem. It ranges from surgeries of the hand that causes permanent weakness or paralysis to other extremities so at times it takes being fairly creative to get them on track.

The most interesting thing I have ran across was a Vietnam vet. He was exposed to Agent Orange and has a severe shake. It took him months to come to us because he felt that he couldn’t be helped. Eventually the gentleman came for a CHL class. In the beginning of the CHL we give a free Handgun Fundamental course that teaches gun operation, safety, body mechanics, stance, grip, sight picture, sight alignment, trigger manipulation, recoil management, and accuracy.

He was unable to consistently hit his target at 3 yards due to his shake. We pulled him aside and taught him how to adjust. Part of his CHL qualification for us was that he had to tell us what distance he was from a target out to 40 yards. From there he had to remember what we taught him about how far he needed to hold over the target every 5 yards the distance increased or decreased. With about an extra hour of work the gentleman passed with flying colors.

SGPT: What is the number one mistake you see beginners making?

JP: The hardest thing I see is continuing education. Many spend their entire lives shooting and very few increase their abilities in accuracy and speed. Once we get them to an effective point they leave and don’t take the time to practice. We send all of our students home with drills they can do with an unloaded guns that will increase their speed and accuracy within a few day just practicing 5 minutes a night. It’s like a new years resolution. It takes dedication and discipline to keep it up.

SGPT: What is the way that you correct that?

JP: I’m a realist. We give them the drills and knowledge to practice so there is no excuse, then I basically explain that they can come waste their money taking a class but if they don’t take the knowledge and practice they will forget it within a month just as we would. If they want to become true defensive shooters this must become a lifestyle and not just a hobby.

SGPT: Do you have any military books that you are reading now?

JP: Not at the moment. The last few books I read was American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, Act of Valor and The Lone Survivor. If you have not read these do so. Very accurate of the actual events and its not Hollywood BS.

SGPT: Many thanks for the interview Brother.

JP: Thank you for this opportunity and may God bless your future.

Jason Pike can be reached at Trident Tactical Solutions in Midland Texas.
Phone 432-269-7021

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brad McLeod is married with two kids and an all around average family guy. He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and despite training all the wrong ways – made it to Navy SEAL training in Coronado, California.

He flunked out of Navy SEAL BUD/S training after making it over half way through (6 months of grueling training). After a year in the Fleet Navy on the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) he came back to graduate BUDS and serve on SEAL Team Four.

His story is simple–Don’t Ever Quit on your Dream! Put one foot in front of the other and fall forward.

Proceeds from this website go to help raise funds for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

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