ABOUT

John Downey
Owner/Primary Instructor

John, a retired Army Special Forces disabled veteran with multiple combat deployments, transitioned to civilian federal service after 20 years of military service. He worked for nine years as a Security Specialist and Facility Security Manager for the federal government.

Critical Home Defense was started in 2024 to enable others to learn the skills necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones through the sharing of his extensive real-world experience as well as the necessary mindset that one needs to adopt in order to increase one’s defensive security posture.

Certifications:

  • USCCA Certified Instructor
  • NRA Range Safety Officer
  • Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course
  • Special Operations Target Interdiction Course LVII

Nick Byrne
Instructor

Nick, a retired Army Special Forces disabled veteran with five combat deployments and three training deployments focusing on CQB. He worked for the past five years as a Contractor for the federal government overseas.

Certifications:

  • Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course
  • Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course

Critical Home Defense is a disabled veteran owned business.