Our Approach
PERSONAL optimization through TEAM TRAINING
​
Special Operations soldiers are renowned for their adaptability, physical toughness, effective planning and problem-solving, and their expansive skill sets. How does somebody get to that kind of level? How can you tell if someone has what it takes to survive the brutal selection processes? These have been much studied and debated questions, but there are some definite principles that can be discerned from the very fine-tuned programs the military runs to select and train operators. Arguably the single most significant one is that the right team environment will bring out the best in an individual and allow them to perform far beyond where they could just on their own steam.
There are plenty of boot camp-style programs out there that think yelling, degradation, and getting physically beat down will build that kind of toughness and high performance. Optimization really occurs when you can learn and tackle ever-greater challenges alongside a team. We don't need to get in your face or holler all the time to get you to push to your personal limit; you'll do that yourself and your team will be there to help you go beyond. You can expect to be challenged, tired, and sore, but you're going to improve your own fitness level and build out personal skill sets like discipline, attention to detail, communication, leadership, problem-solving, and creative thinking that will take your game to the elite level.
​
​​
Meet The Instructor
Joel Trumbo
Ranger Team Lead Instructor
With years of experience in special operations teams and coaching young men in high-school, Joel is dedicated to sharing the knowledge and training to help young guys achieve personal optimization in a team environment .
A Message from Joel Trumbo
I was born and raised in Richmond, VA. In high school I was mentored by John McGuire, a Navy SEAL currently serving as a Virginia State Senator. His training program and mentorship started me out right with the physical fitness and mindset needed for selection into special operations. I joined the US Navy at 17 and attended BUD/S class 247 in 2003. After suffering a severe heatstroke that got me dropped from training, I worked out a lateral transfer to the US Army where I attended Airborne school and the Ranger Indoc Program (RIP), then the selection for the 75th Ranger Regiment. After graduating selection I went on to serve as a team leader in 3rd Ranger Battalion, conducting tier 1 operations with the JSOC task force in Afghanistan. In total, I completed 7 deployments over 11 years in the military, with missions ranging from civilian evacuation (Haiti 2005) to counter-piracy operations (Horn of Africa 2007) to High Value Target raids in Afghanistan from 2009 - 2013. I completed numerous schools and training courses, including Ranger School, SERE-C, Army Warrior Leader Course, Master Breacher, Squad Designated Marksman, Battlefield Interrogator/TQ, and Protective Security Specialist. I continued to serve after separating from the military in 2013, and completed 8 more deployments to Iraq and East Africa providing High-Threat Protection services for various government agencies until 2018 when I began teaching.
The power of having a team and a mission
My own experience in all these different operational theaters working with different units has shown me how effective it can be when you have strong team and a clear mission. Young men in particular need this experience more than ever, and they thrive when they're challenged in the right team environment. As a father of six sons, the importance of this task has always felt pre-eminent to me, and now I hope to build the next generation of leaders by passing on these lessons just like John and a host of other team-mates did for me when I was a young guy looking to make my way. Ranger Team Training is about that mission, which is to guide and equip the guys on the Team so they can be as fit and capable as they can be for tackling any mission, military or otherwise.