Nick Rabenau
Nick Rabenau is the President and C.E.O. of Strategic Security Services Inc. Nick’s operational foundation lies with the United States Military Special Operations Command where he served with the 7th Special Forces Group. Nick has extensive operational experience, including combat operations in Afghanistan and counter-narcotics operations in South America. During Nick’s tenure in Special Forces, he served as an instructor for close quarter battle, small arms, EVOC, small unit tactics, sniper/counter sniper operations, as well as ballistic and explosive breaching.

Nick retired from the military in 2003 to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Nick completed six contracts with Triple Canopy, Inc. as a protection specialist in Iraq. Serving in all aspects of high threat close protection, Nick and his team provided security to ambassadors, governing coordinators, and numerous high ranking political officials.

In March of 2006, Nick accepted a position with United States Investigative Services (USIS) providing tactical training to the National Level Iraqi Special Operations Units in the following subjects: Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Breaching, CQB, Driving Tactics, Personal Security Details, and Intelligence. With USIS, Nick serves as an instructor, mentor, and manager for tier I & II Iraqi counter terrorist units operating within Iraq.

As the president and C.E.O. of Strategic Security Services, Inc., Nick brings a wealth of operational experience and instructional skill to his students. Unlike many fly-by-night instructors in the tactical arena, Nick has an abundance of real-world experience in hostile environments. As a student, you can be assured that the tactics, techniques, and procedures presented by SSS, Inc. have been validated time and again in the real world.

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Mark Hanssen
Director of Training
A Sergeant and seventeen year veteran with the Davenport Police Department in Davenport, Iowa, Mark has been involved with SWAT and use-of-force training for the past fifteen years. Being the primary use-of-force instructor for his agency from 2002-2006, Mark was responsible for the coordination and implementation of all aspects of the department’s use-of-force training program, to include firearms (handgun, shotgun, rifle), arrest & control, less-lethal force options, and patrol tactics.

Prior to assuming a full-time training position, Mark spent twelve years as a patrol officer, field training officer, and patrol supervisor. Mark has been a member of the department’s SWAT team since 1992, serving as a breacher, entry team member, team leader, and training coordinator. During his tenure with the team, Mark has participated in hundreds of high-risk search warrants, barricaded subject and hostage incidents, as well as assisting the United States Secret Service with numerous protective details for visiting dignitaries and candidates.

A well respected use-of-force instructor in the state of Iowa, Mark has been an instructor-trainer for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in both firearms and defensive tactics since the mid 1990’s. At the request of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Mark developed and implemented the ground fighting module for the defensive tactics instructor course, one of the first and most advanced of its kind in the country.

With an extensive martial arts background to include successful MMA and submission grappling careers, Mark is one of only three certified Miletich Fighting System Level-5 instructors. A member of the MFS team since its inception, Mark was instrumental in the development of the system and has trained regularly with world-class professional MMA fighters for the last fifteen years.

Mark is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a B.S. in Criminology and Western Illinois University with a M.A. in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.

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Todd Ericsson
Todd was employed with the Idaho Falls Police Department from 1979 thru 2003. While employed with IFPD, he was an undercover detective for 15 years, a member of the SWAT team 18 years and the SWAT team leader. Todd was also the sniper team leader. After retiring from Law Enforcement with 24 years of service, Todd entered into civilian contracting with Dyncorp to serve in Croatia as a member of United Nations’ International Police Task Force (IPTF) for the former Yugoslavia. As a Deputy Sector Chief, Todd supervised and was directly responsible for approximately 185 IPTF officers and 1800 Croatian and Serbian Police Officers.

Since 2004, Todd worked with United States Investigative Services under the State Department Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) Program in Indonesia. Todd served as a member of a 10-man in-country team, training and advising Indonesian police antiterrorism units. After the contract was finished, Todd accepted a position with USIS serving as an Instructor/Mentor for the Iraqi Police (Crisis Response Team [CRT]) and taught Close Quarter Battle (CQB), basic and advanced pistol and rifle marksmanship, sniping, breaching techniques, mission planning, and police use of force. As the Training Lead and Mentor/Advisor for the Iraqi Counter-Terrorist Emergency Response Unit (ERU) he led and advised multiple assault teams in the planning and execution of both reactionary and pre-emptive direct action tasks.

Todd currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Program Manager (ADPM) for the USIS Tier 1 Emergency Response Unit. .

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James Hartman
James Hartman retired after serving 24 years as a Police Lieutenant for the Naperville Police Department (NPD). James has extensive experience as a SWAT team member, operational commander for the NPD, and the Regional WMD / SRT State of Illinois SWAT team. James has received training in Israel on terrorism and counter-terrorism from Israel Police, Military, and Private Israel Security. James’ experience encompasses, successfully handling the following:

• Hostage Situations
• Armed barricade persons
• Execution of high risk arrests
• Execution of high risk search warrants and vice raids
• Civil disorders
• Special events security
• VIP protection
• Mutual aid from outside agencies

James was selected to lead a Special Response Team that deployed at the beginning of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana. James was sworn in as a Louisiana State Police Trooper, and served 19 days in New Orleans. There he provided force protection, search and rescue, and tactical police patrol.

James’ current work assignment is working as an International Civilian Police Advisor. James is currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. This assignment is part of the United States Department of Defense and State Departments effort to re-establish police functions in post-conflict Iraq. James trains the Iraq National Police ERU in proper police tactics. James also provides personal security for high -ranking U.S. military while traveling daily by armored convoy throughout Baghdad. James’ real life experience is supplemented by the knowledge of over 20 specialized schools in SWAT tactics:

• Certified OC Aerosol Projectors
• Chemical Munitions
• Specialty Impact Munitions
• Distractions Device Instructor
• Certified Taser Instructor
• Certified Rapid Deployment Instructor
• Certified Master Firearm Instructor
• Crowd management tactics

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Scott Jones, 1st Sgt Retired
United States Marine Corps/ United States Army Special Forces
Scott Jones joined the United States Marine Corps in 1982 as a 2311 Ammunition technician /nuclear ordnance Marine Security Guard for 4 years. Scott then joined the United States Army in 1987 and was assigned to HHC 2/504 PIR 82nd Airborne Division as recon Scout for 2 years 6 months completing Ranger School. Scott Completed SFAS, (Special Forces Assessment and Selection), Special forces Qualification course in 1990 and Served in all three Battalions in 3ed Special forces Group for 10 years as a Weapons Sgt 18 B, Intelligence Sgt 18F and Team Sgt 18Z. Scott served as primary Sniper for 7 years on two Teams.

Scott left Special Forces in Oct 1999 and Served as a 1st SGT for A Company 2/504 PIR 82nd Air borne Division and Light weapons Master Gunner for the 1st Brigade 82nd Airborne Division and Master Gunner for the 82nd Air borne Division has developed several beginner, intermediate, and advanced Weapons training courses / classes for Pistol, Rifle, Machinegun , Sniper, and anti tank weapons including live fire ranges .Scott Retired in Mar 2003 and deployed overseas as a Independent Contractor on President Karzis Security Detail as a counter Sniper. Scott also served as a Counter Sniper / Advance on Paul Bremers Security Detail in 2004 and in 2004-2005 Scott Served in every position on Several PSD (personnel Security Details) for Several Deputy U.S. Ambassadors.

Scott Jones has a combined 20 years experience in the U.S. Military, the USMC, and the 82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces.