Instructor
ICS East Tennessee lead instructor Stephen Strouss, is one of less than 20 affiliate instructors that have earned their semi-automatic pistol certification under the Israeli Combat shooting system from lead instructor, Marty Cale.
Mr. Strouss also holds a 2nd Degree black belt in Krav Maga through the Krav Maga Association and is the only certified KMA instructor in the city of Knoxville, TN
He also holds a 4th Degree Senior Black Belt in Taekwondo and has been teaching both disciplines at his Knoxville location for the past eight years.
Self Defense is a passion and he enjoys teaching it to beginners and experts alike.
Range Officers
Craig Cooper
Craig Cooper is a black belt in Marine Corps Martial Arts and trained in combat Ju-jitsu.
Defensive tactics with Knox County Sheriff department and Knox County Schools Security division.
M4 and Handgun Sharp Shooter Qualified (US Marine Corps): As a sharp shooter, Craig has demonstrated exceptional proficiency with both the M4 rifle and handgun, qualifications earned through the US Marine Corps.
Handgun/Shotgun Qualified (Knox County Sheriff Department): His qualifications extend to handguns and shotguns through the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, ensuring he’s proficient in teaching a variety of weapon systems.
Combat Deployed Numerous Times: Having been deployed multiple times in combat zones, Craig has firsthand experience in high-stakes shooting environments, giving him a unique perspective on real-world combat scenarios.
Mike Stolarik
Mike Stolarik is former US Marine with extensive experience in both tactical combat and martial arts. During his service, Mr. Stolarik was part of the elite 2nd SRIG (Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and intelligence Group), honing his skills in high-pressure, real-world situations. His dedication to excellence is reflected in his impressive marksmanship achievements, having earned the Expert Rifle Marksmanship award three times and Expert Pistol Marksmanship award twice. In addition to his tactical military expertise, he is proficient in Marine hand-to-hand combat and trained in Muay Thai kickboxing while deployed to Thailand with the Royal Thai Marines, developing a comprehensive understanding of close-quarters defense.
A disciplined practitioner, Mr. Stolarik holds a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a Black Belt in Taekwondo, and a Green Belt in Krav Maga, making him a versatile instructor capable of teaching a wide range of combat techniques. With this extensive background, Mr. Stolarik is highly skilled in training others to master both the mental and physical aspects of combat shooting and self-defense.
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