The Origins Training Group Team
Brian
Co-founder, CEO
Brian grew up in Northern Wisconsin where he was ingrained with a love and respect for nature by his grandfather. From his earliest memories he had a fascination with all things military and participated in the Civil Air Patrol in jr. high and high school. Brian attended Norwich University in Northfield, VT and enlisted in the US Marine Corps reserves as an Infantry Rifleman his sophomore year.
Immediately after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 Brian was activated and deployed to the Balkans in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003 he was part of the invasion force for Operation Iraqi Freedom and then was conditionally released into the US Army to attend the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course in 2004 upon returning home from Iraq. Brian completed the Special Forces Qualification course as an 18D (Special Forces Medic) and deployed to Iraq with 10th Special Forces Group.
He was honorably discharged in 2009 and worked as a Personal Security Specialist and medic for the department of State in Baghdad, Iraq as part of the Ambassadors protection detail. Brian joined the Colorado National Guard in 2010 and worked for GORUCK as the Lead Cadre and Director of Capstone Events. He remained in the Colorado National Guard after being discharged from active duty and deployed with 3rd Special Forces Group to Afghanistan. Upon his return he re-connected with his former teammate Matt and started the company Origins Training Group in their home state of Colorado.
Matt
Co-founder, Director of Operations
Matt has been on the operational end of the military since 2003. While serving for 4 ½ years in the US Coast Guard, he conducted search-and-rescue and law enforcement operations throughout the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and in New Orleans during the height of the Hurricane Katrina. As a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer, Matt logged well over 100 lives saved.
Following the Coast Guard, Matt made the move to the Army where he earned his Green Beret (Special Forces) and completed a variety of other schools including SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape) and Marine Corps Scout Swimmer School. In 2013 Matt deployed to Afghanistan where he trained and worked side-by-side with Afghan National Army soldiers in offensive operations against the insurgency.
Matt continues to serve as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant with the National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group. Matt has been teaching wilderness survival, backpacking and rock climbing for most of his adult life through his own and with other companies. He also continues to work as a professional Rescue Swimmer instructor for various search-and-rescue contractors.
Klint
Instructor
Klint began his military career as a United States Marine before completing the Special Forces Qualification course. After earning his Green Beret, Klint was assigned to 10th SFG special forces medical sergeant on a 12 man A-Team, and did two tours in Iraq. After transferring to 19th SFG, Klint attended University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and was the Co-Founder/Instructor, UCCS F.A.S.T. (First Aid Survival Techniques) Club.
Klint is currently studying in Oxford, UK in a Doctoral Candidate (Dphil) at the School of Archaeology with a concentration in palaeo-archaeology, stone age technologies, and human cognitive evolution. Klint is the primary consultant for the television show Back In Time (The Garden Productions) to air on UK Channel 5. Klint completed the Prairie Wolf primitive skills instructor course as an advanced primitive survival skills instructor (SERE wilderness survival instructor course) and is an instructor in the University of Oxford Palaeotechnology Society.
Lou Haack
Advisor
Lou Haack is the former Air Force Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) for the 131st Pararescue (PJ) Squadron at Moffett Field California. Today Lou is a professional leadership speaker and co-host for World Access, a Travel Channel show highlighting adventure and exploring off-the-beaten-path Americana. During his tenure as Chief with the PJs, Lou managed and developed one of the most highly trained military rescue teams in the world. He planned, directed, coordinated, implemented and controlled all facets of High Risk Air, Land, and Sea Search and Rescue missions. Similarly he advised and interacted with top level Corporate, Government and Military Officials in improving national and international coordinated rescue efforts and Military Support to Civil Authorities.
With over 2000 hours of flight time in Rescue C-130s and helicopters, Lou is an accomplished Rescue Team Leader, Aircrew Instructor/Evaluator, Military Freefall/HALO and Static Line parachute Jumpmaster, and military/rescue Scuba diver. CMSgt Haack retired in 2005 with over 28 years of service.