Mike Seeklander Biography

Most people know me as a nationally ranked competitor on the practical handgun competition circuit, but fail to realize that I have extensive formal training and experience in the military and law enforcement, as an operational officer/Marine as well as in all phases of training development.

I actually began my competitive shooting training to increase my skill level for a future fight with a handgun or rifle.  After getting my feet wet I found myself training to win national competitions, while analyzing and applying those performance rules to key areas of a fight.  I have authored more than 20 lesson plans specifically related to basic and advanced firearms training, and am formally trained in curriculum design, and have chaired numerous curriculum development conferences. 

I am currently employed as the Chief Operating Officer of the United States Shooting Academy.  Previously,  I was a Senior Instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C.  Prior to that  I served as the Branch Chief and Lead Instructor for the Federal Air Marshal firearms division, as well as instructing in the Tactics and Physical Training divisions at the Federal Air Marshal Training Center in Atlantic City, N.J.  I was responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of all firearms and tactical shoot-house instruction for the Federal Air Marshal Service basic training.   In addition, I was credentialed as a Federal Air Marshal, providing counter-terrorism security to commercial American air carriers nationwide.

I am A combat veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, with five years of active duty and four years of reserve duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, as an intelligence specialist and primary marksmanship instructor.  Prior to receiving my honorable discharge in 2000, I was attached to a Federal multi-agency task force investigating large-scale international drug trafficking.

From 1995-98,  I was employed by the Knox County (TN) Sheriff’s Department’s Corrections division and was a member of its highly trained Special Operations Response Team.   From 1998-2001, I worked as a police officer for the Knoxville (TN) Police Department where I was assigned as a patrol officer and also as an investigator for the Organized Crime section, investigating narcotics and vice-related crimes at the local, state and federal levels.

I am the recipient of numerous awards and honors in the law enforcement community, and as a semi-professional shooter.    While training part time, I have placed highly in every major practical type championship on the circuit and have more than a dozen titles at major matches including state and area matches in IPSC and IDPA style matches including a second place finish at the 2007 European Handgun Championships, and top 5 finishes at the U.S. Nationals, the World Speed Shooting championships and NRA Action Pistol championships.   I am currently ranked as a Grandmaster (the highest rank obtainable) by the United States Practical Shooting Association.   Shooting has not been my only passion, and I have more than 15 years of experience in various martial arts holding multiple ranks including a Black Belt in Okinawan Freestyle Karate.