Benjamin Kurata has been a Guest Instructor at the past 6 IALEFI Annual Training Conferences and at the Past 3 ILEETA Annual Conferences. He has been a firearms instructor for 30 years and co-founded the LE Training Division at I.T.I. – Texas; the Action Target Academy; and was an Instructor at the SIGARMS Academy for 3 years. He is currently an Adjunct Faculty member in the Criminal Justice Department at the University of the Incarnate Word – San Antonio, and holds a M.S. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, CERTIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:

• 2008 – Guest Instructor, IALEFI 28^th Annual Training Conference
• 2007 – Reality Based Training Instructor, Armiger Police Training Institute
• 2006 – Pro-Active Training Institute Shoot House Instructor Development
• 2006 – Guest Instructor, IALEFI 26^th Annual Training Conference
• 2006 – Tactical Logic Basic LE Armorer, AR-15 / M16 Rifle  / Carbine
• 2006 – SABER Method LEO Basic Edged Weapon Defense Instructor
• 2005 – Lasermax, Inc. Laser Sight Instructor
• 2005 – Action Target Academy Range Master
• 2004 – Close Quarters Battle, Inc. Shoot House Operations
• 2004 – Simunition Scenario Instructor (3 year recert)
• 2004 – Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle II
• 2004 – Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle I
• 2004 – State of Minnesota Instructor
• 2004-08 – Instructor, Action Target Academy
• 2004 – Action Target Academy Advanced Law Enforcement 3-Gun Instructor School
• 2004-03 – Senior Instructor, SIGARMS Academy, Epping, NH
• 2003 – Tony Scotti Training Network Terrorism Awareness
• 2003 – Sigarms Academy Defensive Rifle (3 year recent)
• 2003 – Contact Defense, LLC Officer Folding Knife Safety and Operation
• 2002 – TT Industries Night Vision Instructor
• 2001 – Sure Fire Institute Officer Survival Low Light Instructor
• 2001 – Sigarms Academy Armorer (3 year recent)
• 2001 – Sigarms Academy Defensive Shotgun
• 2000 – Thunder Ranch Defensive Handgun 3
• 1999 – Commonwealth of Massachusetts Basic Firearms Safety Course Instructor
• 1997 – Modern Warrior Weapons Retention and Disarming Instructor
• 1997 – Sigarms Academy Advanced Instructor
• 1997 – Thunder Ranch Defensive Handgun 3
• 1996 – Thunder Ranch Defensive Handgun 2
• 1995 – Thunder Ranch Defensive Handgun 2
• 1993 – Defense Training International Defensive Handgun / Discretionary Shooting / Low Light Shooting
• 1991 – Lethal Force Institute Stressfire
• 1990 – National Rifle Association Personal Protection Instructor
• 1987 – M.S., Management, Maryville College, St. Louis
• 1984 – Chapman Academy Advanced Handgun
• 1983 – Chapman Academy Intermediate Handgun
• 1979 – M.S., Criminal Justice, Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice 

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

•  International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA)
• International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI)
• National Rifle Association, Life Member

 SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:

• Eleven years operational, management, and training experience in state, federal and private sector criminal justice organizations
• Twenty five years experience in adult learning and development including criminal justice, state government, state university, and financial services industry