Kevin Parham, Owner/Instructor Fortis Defense
Kevin Parham, Owner/Instructor Fortis Defense
With a career in protecting and training in the Air Force, it just seemed natural to create a private weapons and training company to help civilians with safety and preparedness.
My military career began in 1997. During my 10 years of active duty service, I deployed as a K9 handler to various locations all over the world. While deployed with joint force taskings as a K9 team, I had the honor of working side by side with some of America’s most elite soldiers throughout some of the most hostile combat areas to date. From there I was tasked with presidential security in which I worked hand and hand with Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and multiple secret service details to ensure the security of current and past Presidents and Heads of State. I was also deployed to worked alongside dignitary support teams, ensuring the safety of visiting foreign dignitaries within the United States.
After 10 years of active duty service, I cross-trained into Combat Arms as combat weapons and tactics instructor for the 301st fighter wing, Carswell Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth Texas. My role as a Combat Arms instructor was training base personnel prior to deployments on special weapons and the combat tactics and skills needed to ensure a safe return home for each deployed airman.
I retired from the military reserve component after 21 years of military service January 16th, 2019. I have been around the world and I understand how important knowledge and skill are to your survival.
Since 2013, Fortis Defense has provided our customers with the same level of preparedness and tactical training learned and taught during my military career. Fortis Defense offers a multitude of services to our clients. We own and operate Gilmer’s only public gun range. We provide firearms training for those who are beginners, teaching you everything from unboxing your firearm, disassembly, and inspection to your basic fundamentals, and putting rounds on target. We also teach some of the most advanced tactical and defensive firearms training, offering three levels of each on multiple weapons platforms: pistol, AR, and shotgun. Fortis offers multiple levels of combatives training and women’s self-defense courses, specifically focusing on the Krav Maga defensive fighting fundamentals. We are a Class II NFA firearms manufacturer, Class III NFA firearms and equipment dealer, and Class VII commercial ammunition manufacturer and retailer. Fortis offers basic to advanced combat trauma courses. We provide Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR and Heart Saver CPR First Aid and training and certification through the American Heart Association. Paired with that training, we offer fire extinguisher training in order for your company to meet OSHA training and certification requirements for your employees. Lastly, Fortis Defense now offers laser engraving, specializing in firearms frame engraving as well as providing our clients with laser engraving for your promotional items.
So with this, I say to you . . . come train with us!
Michael thompson, instructor
Michael Thompson proudly served 12-years in the United States Air Force as Security Forces. During that time, he served as a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team leader, Criminal Investigator, Combat Instructor and Law Enforcement Flight Chief.
Early in Michael’s military career he found his passion in the teaching of defensive tactics. While stationed in Germany, he refined his skills in combative training, tactics, and weapons take-away knowledge. Michael also graduated from schools such as Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator, Phoenix Raven, Emergency Close Air Support and Basic Krav Maga Instructor.
Michael’s skill set and drive to promote preparedness and self-protection makes him a perfect addition to the Fortis Defense Team.
Come train with us at Fortis Defense, where we keep your safety in mind!