“I wanted to thank you again for the Officer Survival Course. The techniques you showed us were practical and effective, and every one of the SWAT officers attending this course were very impressed with the techniques and tactics learned. This course will be highly beneficial to us, and we are already adjusting training to show these techniques to the rest of the team, and then implement them in actual operations.  Of all of the SWAT training I have received in 11 years, this was the most “real world” training I have ever received. I look forward to sending more members of my team through your training.”

Sgt. John Dombrowa, Pasadena, Texas

“I attended the Level II class. This was a fabulous course. Especially beneficial to me was learning to accept and understand that in a confrontation, you will start from a disadvantage position and how to aggress against your adversary with extreme prejudice and turn them into the victim. The realistic range demonstration on the effects of what the adversary will see and feel was outstanding. When it comes to self-preservation, you ingrain in your teaching that training and levelheaded reactions will dominate the situation. I have incorporated your philosophy in my everyday life.” 

Patrick Harris, Hayward Police, California

 “Over the past 30 years, I have had the opportunity to help many fine men who have been in harm’s way and survived the experience. I suspect that nearly all would say “AMEN” to many of the concepts you teach in your classes.”

 Ron Allen PhD,  Clinical Psychologist, Carmichael, California

 “I have been in law enforcement for approximately 12 years. I have 11 years experience as a Use of Force instructor. I attended Bennie Cooley’s course with the intent to evaluate his ideas and techniques, and to determine whether the techniques might be appropriate to incorporate within our program. Bennie’s techniques are not only appropriate, but they are also practical. I plan to utilize a lot of Bennie’s techniques to enhance our training program. As a trainer myself, I very much appreciate his time, effort, ability and dedication. I definitely recommend his course to anyone dedicated to staying alive.”

 Sgt. Dale Reed, Olathe, Kansas

 “I would like to thank you for coming to this corner of the planet for this class. Your class was both very informative and professional and yet, fun. I have been handling firearms for over 25 years and have carried on a daily basis for the past 5 years. I hold a certification through the NRA as a range officer and aid in teaching classes for concealed firearms permits. Despite my experience and training in this area, your class taught me just how unprepared I was for a deadly encounter. Your class is a must for anyone who intends on utilizing deadly force to protect themselves or others from this type of threat. I am looking forward to your Level III class!”

Glenn Miller, Fairbanks, Alaska

“C.R.T.C.’s Urban Rifle class was a fantastic class. It should be required training for all who fight for life.”

 Kent Spencer, Midland Police, Texas

“I found the class very informative and stressed on real life situations that would be very stressful. I would recommend that everyone in law enforcement attend this course.”

David Hanisch, Corsicana, Texas

“I think that any officer who attends C.R.T.C.'s classes will leave with a new outlook on their objectives.” 

Mark Guidry Opelousas Police Dept,  Louisiana 

" I appreciate the opportunity to testify on behalf of the training offered to me recently by C.R.T.C.  I took a Urban Rifle Instructors Course from Mr. Cooley and was very impressed with not only his course material but also his teaching skill’s. He didn’t teach the course from a know it all perspective but encouraged the class to share their knowledge and experience in hopes that all would be edified. His instruction was clear and applicable and in his own words always had a purpose. He increased my understanding of the importance of teaching my students not only cutting edge shooting techniques but most importantly the mental preparation needed before, during, and after a critical incident. His tactical movement instruction and weapons retention and take away were a welcome bonus. I would highly recommend this course to any instructor or administrator.”

 Sgt. Doug Teichert 5247

“I would like to take this time to thank you for the outstanding training opportunity you have given me and many other law enforcement officers. I have attended one of your handgun and one of your rifle classes as well as your instructor’s course. Each time I have attended your class, I receive a mental boost about survival and having the fighting and winning mindset. Your instructions, knowledge and professionalism make your training priceless. I hope to continue attending more of your courses.” 

Detective Steve Nebeker, Emmett, Idaho 

"I've been a police officer for 32 years, and I have been through a lot of courses. None of these have compared with Ben Cooley's course on The Fighting Mindset. Learning these techniques could save your life in many life-threatening situations. It already has for me!

Steve Abbott -- Police Sergeant and Rangemaster --Visalia, California

"In the second day of Ben's course, I got called out on a search warrant with the Special Response Team unit. I was the scout lead-man and the first one into the residence. When I went in, I encountered two men, one of whom held a bottle of crack cocaine. Because of what I learned from Ben Cooley, these guys were totally helpless. They were immediately on the floor, and they knew I was serious!"

J. Taylor -- Police Officer and Trainer -- Whiteville, North Carolina

"I found that Ben Cooley's course dealt with real-life situations in a practical manner. His teaching deals with the brutal realities of confrontation scenarios and house searches. It has given our SWAT team valuable and proven techniques that work. I can't recommend this course enough."

Daryl Smith -- SWAT Team Leader -- Fayetteville, North Carolina

"A lot of courses can teach you to shoot, but Ben Cooley teaches you how to think! I have a thorough background in police and tactical training and I find that Ben's techniques and teaching are first rate, practical, and deal with real situations."

Scott Nowlin -- Special Tactics Unit, U.S. Air Force -- Seattle, Washington

“Having been a law enforcement firearms instructor since 1981, I thought I had seen about everything any firearms school had to offer until I met Mr. Bennie Cooley Jr. Mr. Cooley’s methods of teaching are without a doubt the best I have ever seen. His ability to involve his students, form old salts to new recruits, is truly amazing. He will have them learning many new techniques, while reinforcing the things they have known all along. I cannot recommend Mr. Cooley and C.R.T.C. highly enough for any type of firearms training. His is not a ‘business as usual” school. He WILL teach you and yours how to stay alive.”   

Tom Neth Firearms Instructor, Gem County Sheriff’s Dept. Emmett, ID.

“ I really appreciate the SWAT training you presented us last month. It was outstanding! Many of the tactics you taught our Team were things that had never occurred to me, but they were very impressive in their effectiveness.  After training, I could see the Team coming together in a way that I had never seen before. There seemed to be more unity in the group and a growing display of teamwork.”

 Lt. Jerry Lites, Sebastopol, California

 “I have just finished attending Bennie Cooley’s Urban Rifle Instructors class.  In my 15 years of Law Enforcement, I have not seen training that follows the KISS principle until now!  The training was so intense and high speed, but still followed the K.I.S.S.   It makes sense!  I know now that I can “Sacrifice, and not violate”.  Thanks again.”

 Kevin Saxon, San Antonio Police, Texas

 “The innovative fighting tactical assault rifle techniques being introduced by Bennie Cooley will become the new standards of training for all special operation units whether  law enforcement or military.

 Chief Larry Cailler, Opelousas, Louisiana 

“I have been a police officer for 19 years and a SWAT team member for 12 years.  I currently serve my department as an academy firearms instructor.  C.R.T.C. Inc. provided the most intense, honest, and real life based training I have ever had.  Bennie Cooley definitely increased my ability to survive in the CQB environment.” 

Fermin C. Garza Corpus Christi Police, Texas

 “As a tactical team commander of a joint agency drug task force, I am highly impressed of the training I received at the Urban Rifle Instructors class I attended, taught by C.R.T.C. Inc.  I immediately taught my officers of the tactics and skills I learned.  Within one week of my return, my team served three high risk warrants using these skills.  It was the smoothest, fastest, and most of all, safest raids we have ever completed.  Thank you C.R.T.C.!”

Sgt. Jeff Frost, Hailey Police, Idaho 

“ I have accumulated hundreds of hours of tactical firearms training and worked with some of the best known trainers and agencies across the nation. After attending Bennie Cooley’s class I realized the mind is the best weapon available. I was very impressed with his practical techniques and ideas. His methods work and I will be forwarding his methods to all those officers I teach.”

Michael Huffman Range Master, Assault Team Leader Pasadena, Texas

 “Thanks again for the instruction given in the Urban Rifle Instructors Course.  Before attending the class I had only limited knowledge about tactical rifle training and team movements and tactics.  This course has given me a good working knowledge of a Fighting Mindset, use of the rifle, it’s capabilities, and my capabilities.  I am confident if the information taught in this course is used that it could save the life of police officers and others.  I feel that this training and practice is a must for anyone who is involved in a critical incident.  It provides a good working knowledge of what is needed and expected of each person involved.  I will use what I have been taught here to train my officers.” 

Captain Ray Alder, Aberdeen Police, Idaho

 “The most valuable skills Ben Cooley teaches are the ones that exist between your ears. If you don’t have mindset and attitude, fancy guns, holsters, and high tech tools aren’t going to make a bit of difference! Ben Cooley teaches practical, effective, proven techniques that make sense. Ben Cooley is at the cutting edge of tactics and psychology techniques and his training is a complete blend of both. The student experiences the concepts through chillingly real combat scenarios. Listen, I have trained at many of the other gun ranches and Ben Cooley’s courses pick up where the other schools left off and are the best dollar value out there! He truly gives his students 110% and the best firearms training anywhere.”

Ralph Guild, Point Richmond, California

 “I want to tell you that hardly a day goes by that I don’t contemplate some aspect of the mindset or training that I have experienced with you. As a result of that training and increased level of perception, I know that if the day or night ever comes that I must respond to a life threatening situation, I will be much better prepared to handle it.”

Don Perry, Fort Bragg, California 

"Ben Cooley's ideas and teachings are down to earth and they make sense. This stuff works in the real world. Since taking Ben's course, I have improved my handling of firearms on the range and on the job. I am a firearms instructor, and I try to impart Ben's techniques and philosophy to the officers I teach. I highly recommend The Fighting Mindset to civilian and professional alike"

Gary Clark -- Police Officer and Investigator -- California

“This training is for anyone, regardless of experience. It is a must if you carry a weapon for a living, are a competitive shooter, or just own a handgun. The first 10 hours alone are worth more than the tuition.  As a firearms instructor, USPSA Limited Grand Master, and an A Class revolver shooter I recommend Bennie Cooley. He is a topnotch instructor and teaches techniques with no B.S. After 15 years in the business Bennie made me see and understand attitudes and techniques that are so simple and effective it is mind - boggling. This is the best self defense training you’ll ever buy.   

Bill Filiaga Fairbanks, Alaska

 “The biggest changes in thinking Bennie Cooley internalizes in people is that the mind is the best and foremost weapon. The gun take-away and retention techniques shatter many myths about real life confrontations. You really learn how to keep or take away a gun. A lot of courses tell you that if you have certain tools, you’ll win. Bennie comes around from the other side and teaches, “If you think about this correctly, you’ll survive using these tools.”  Mindset makes all the difference.  You learn to be in charge of the situation from the beginning. It is more a matter of when you are going to fight than how you are going to fight. Whoever starts first is going to win.  What impacted me most about Bennie Cooley’s course is the realism. You go up against real guns, real effects, in real time. Nobody comes close to teaching what Bennie Cooley teaches!” 

Mike Voigt, USPSA President

“Having just completed the Level II class from C.R.T.C., I can highly recommend it to anyone seeking the ultimate in tactical and defense training. I’ve had experience in law enforcement, and I trained with a SWAT team here in the Kansas City area. From my previous experience, I can assure you that the training you will receive from Bennie Cooley will not only be intense, but it will also prepare law enforcement personnel for the training they need, close quarters combat. This is the type of training that officers need to experience, but often times don’t receive.

 I now work in the private sector, and I would also recommend this training for the business executive. The “Mindset Training” Mr. Cooley teaches can be applicable to many areas of one’s life. You will learn self control, how to be pro-active as opposed to reactive, and how to control emotions. I’ve earned an MBA degree, but nothing in my education addressed how mindset could affect results. Since taking the training, I have incorporated the learned principles into my business and professional practices.  Let me state this succinctly – If you want the ultimate in CQB training and to be changed by the experience – then take a class from C.R.T.C. Don’t wait. As Mr. Cooley will teach you – time is critical. 

Bill Miller, Financial Advisor Kansas City, Missouri

 “I wanted to thank you for coming to Kansas City to present the self – defense course. I have never taken a personal course before, and I did not know what to expect. It was much more than a course of fire, and although we did a lot of shooting, that was the minor part of the course. I learned how to handle myself in adverse situations where I might be confronted with a firearm or knife. I would highly recommend this course to anyone whether they are interested in self-defense or not as overall; the course instills self-confidence and heightens awareness of what is going on around you.   Thank you again for a very educational experience.”

 JB Hodgdon Owner, Hodgdon Powder Co. Inc. 

“The training that I received at C.R.T.C.’s Urban Rifle Instructors course far exceeded my expectations.  The emphasis on officer survival and not just marksmanship added an important component to the training.”

 Lonnie Ekstrom, Sandpoint Police, Idaho

 

“ I enjoyed the hands on approach Mr. Cooley takes with his students. He is very intense and obviously committed to his strategies and beliefs. His tactics are sound, his principles are basic, and his methods flow very well. I highly recommend that anyone interested in his own personal safety take his course. LAW ENFORCEMENT, take his course! 

Dustin Munn, Corsicana, Texas 

“After taking the Level III class, I came home and began to see my house differently. I noticed danger spots caused by poor lighting and furniture or boxes. This class really opened my eyes to potential danger that I live in day in and day out ----- the layout of my own home! There will definitely be some changes made. Thank you for teaching proper home defense.” 

Randy Ralston, San Leandro, California 

 

IF YOU HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE ELITE TRAINING WITH BENNIE COOLEY AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONIAL PLEASE E-MAIL BENNIE COOLEY ATcrtc@ida.net