Stretz Tactical approaches tactical firearms training through the eyes of experience.

Ken Stretz was personally involved in a line of duty shooting with a known gang member in 2010. The year before, he was feet away from another officer who was forced to shoot. He has responded to numerous shootings – gang, drug and domestic violence related as a Police Officer. He was assigned to a County Sheriff’s Department Communication Center during both a civilian self-defense shooting and a Police Involved shooting. Ken has also been involved in numerous encounters with armed suspects, which were successfully resolved without any shots being fired. This gives Ken the unique perspective of having responded to/investigated shootings at the patrol level, handling call taking/dispatching for shootings, as well as having personally experienced – the technical, tactical, criminal and civil process of having been involved in a shooting.

Ken has been a Police Officer for over 18 years. He started his career with the NYPD and has worked for several agencies at the State, County & local level. He has worked in numerous capacities – foot patrol, Marine patrol, bicycle patrol, highway patrol, beach & park patrol, prostitution enforcement – both undercover & on apprehension teams. Ken has worked numerous uniform security details for the President & foreign heads of state during his career. He served briefly on a small multi-jurisdictional swat team (Ken was the driving force behind his agency joining & was responsible for selecting weapons, equipment & enrolling the members of his agency in the basic SWAT school), is a graduate of the FBI firearms instructor school (top gun award recipient) as well as a graduate of the FBI carbine instructor school (3rd highest shooter award recipient), holds a Rogers Shooting School “intermediate rating” with pistol and carbine, the Academi basic sniper school & NRA basic pistol instructor course. Ken started his agency’s first patrol rifle program – selecting carbines, ammunition & equipment, in addition to teaching a 3 day basic carbine operator class and full 1 day yearly requal to each officer from his agency. Ken has taught officer survival/combat mindset at several police academies. He is certified on Ultimate Training Munition (UTM) products. He holds an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice from Westchester Community college.

Ken also spent 9 years in the army reserve (pre-9/11), enlisting in the delayed entry program while a senior in high school. He served approx. 1 ½ years in a communication support MOS (74C1P) in 1st Battalion, 11th Special Forces Group (ABN) in Newburgh, NY & when that unit was disbanded, he transitioned in to the military police – serving in both the 442nd military police company & the 812th military police company.

A lifelong shooter, Ken has attended over 40 shooting, tactical, armorer, low light & instructor courses. Ken has trained with: FBI (both the NY field office SWAT & New York Firearms Instructors), DEA, NYPD, Mount Vernon (NY) Police Emergency Service Unit, Smith & Wesson, Surefire, Streamlight, Vickers Tactical, Combat Shooting & Tactics, CTT Solutions, Criterion Tactical, Sheriff Of Baghdad, Viking Tactics, Trident Concepts, Defoor “Proformance”, Redback One, Way Of The Gun, West Point Combat Weapons Team, Rogers Shooting School, Pistol Training.com, ITTS, Sigarms Academy, Shivworks, Smith & Wesson Academy, Ultimate Training Munition (UTM), Simunition, LT. Col. Dave Grossman, Sheepdog Academy, Calibre Press & Modern Warrior. Ken is factory armorer certified for: Colt AR15/M16, Glock & Kimber 1911 weapon systems.

Ken has competed locally in IDPA, IPSC, 3 gun & the colt cup.

Ken is a member of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, the National Tactical Officers Association, New York Tactical Officers Association & the National Rifle Association. Ken is also a former Vickers Shooting Method (VSM) instructor. He has trained numerous law enforcement officers (patrol, SWAT & corrections), military & nuclear security personnel, actors and responsible citizens, in the tactical application of firearms and combat marksmanship.

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5.0

I’ve known and trained with Kenny for several years now. He is not only a great instructor but all-around good and decent human being. If you know Kenny as I do, you will appreciate that he is one of the most dedicated training guys I know – he is continuously developing his skills as a shooter and instructor with tier-1 military shooters in the country (and I’ve hosted and trained with many of them). You’re not only getting Kenny’s real-world perspectives as a US Army veteran and seasoned law-enforcement officer, you also have the opportunity to obtain all the knowledge he’s received, and more importantly, what he thinks works. If you want to learn how to shoot a pistol more accurately and improve your carbine weapons manipulation or dust off your shotgun skills, Kenny is your local SME. You’d do well to train with him – I recommend him without hesitation. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience and can share them in convenient one-day class formats. -Ben S in Connecticut.

3 years ago
Michael B. Wray

5.0

Ken Stretz is the first instructor I recommended to anyone looking to take a firearms class; from his basic marksmenship to the more advanced classss he offers. His clientele ranges from everyday concealed carry holders to Military and LE.

One thing most instructors lack, which Ken drills on is mindset. To me this knowledge alone is worth taking his chases.

I have been attending Stretz Tactical classes for years and will continue to do so. 5 stars!

3 years ago
Mark Bendel

5.0

As an NRA Training Counsleor, I am constantly seeking out advanced training to keep my skills sharp, and to have other trainers to refer students to.

Ken Stretz is a trainer who I recommend without hesitation. His courses are clear, concise, challenging, and thought provoking. Students are trained safely by an instructor who maintains solid control of the range.

Happy to be an alumni, and proud to call Ken a friend!

3 years ago
Lori Corini

5.0

I’ve taken Stretz Tactical’s force on force and advanced pistol classes. Kenny utilizes his military and police experience to teach firearms related, self defense and defense of others skills in a fun and safe environment.

3 years ago
Randy Murray

5.0

About ten years ago I got my NYS CC permit. After several range sessions, I found that I was in desperate need of professional training. I took several courses at various locations, which definitely improved my shooting, About five years ago I attended one of Stretz Tactical classes, I believe it was the “concealed carry basic course”. I found the lead instructor, Kenny Stretz to be very informative and patient with everyone in the class, with a strong vision on firearm safety. From that point on I was hooked on his training and have taken all of his firearms training classes. I can now feel confident in my daily CC and my use of rifle or shotgun in a home defense situation.
I highly recommend Stretz Tactical for all of your training needs. People taking his classes range from the average CC civilian to LE and Military.
Hope to see you on the range.

3 years ago
Steve

5.0

Kenny is very knowledgeable and really cares about your training. He takes safety seriously while still pushing students to better themselves.

3 years ago

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