My primary occupation, through my company, Defense Training International, Inc. is lecturing and conducting instructional courses in defensive firearms for police departments, civilian groups and others throughout the US and overseas.

History

After graduating from Cornell College with a BA in Biology, I entered the US Marine Corps Officer Candidate Program. After being commissioned a Second Lieutenant, I was sent to Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader. For the next fifty-one days, I was involved in heavy fighting and was awarded three Purple Hearts. I served the remainder of my active duty time in the United States, training Marines. I remained in the Reserves and went on active duty several times per year until I retired in 1987. My branch is still infantry, and my rank at retirement was major.

I have been a police officer since 1971, when I joined the City of Elroy Police Department as a patrolman. I am presently a fully commissioned deputy sheriff (Training Officer) for the Park County, Colorado Sheriff's Office.

I have written articles about defensive shooting and defensive tactics for several magazines, including:

Police Marksman

American Handgunner

Combat Handguns

Guns and Ammo

Soldier of Fortune

• "The Street-Smart Gun Book", published by The Police Bookshelf of Concord, NH.
• "The Farnam Method of Defensive Handgunning ", published by DTI Publications, Inc. of Boulder CO.
• "Guns & Warriors - DTI Quips Volume 1, published by DTI Publications, Inc. of Boulder CO.

The thrust of my training programs is the encouragement of safe, responsible, and effective use of modern firearms in self-defense.

John Farnam was awarded the prestigious "Tactical Advocate of the Year" title by the American Tactical Shooting Association (ATSA) in June, 1996. The presentation was made at the conclusion of the Sixth Annual National Invitational held at the Gunsite Training Center in Paulden, Arizona.

Summary of Formal Education

American society of Industrial Security, Current Terrorist Tactics, 1982.

US Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, 1980.

National Rifle Association, Certified Police Armorer, 1980.

American Pistol Institute, Practical Defensive Handgun, 1979.

National Rifle Association, Certified Police Firearms Instructor, 1977 to present.

US Army Infantry Advanced Course, Ft. Benning, Georgia, 1977.

Illinois Department of Law Enforcement, Defensive Tactics, 1977.

Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, Associate Degree, Mechanical Engineering, 1975.

Wisconsin Department of Health, Certified Emergency Medical Technician, 1975.

Wisconsin Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Search and Seizure, 1974.

US Marine Corps Institute, Land Mines, Explosives and Demolitions, 1972.

Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, Basic Police Certificate, Certified Police Officer, 1971.

Wisconsin Department of Justice, Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Enforcement, 1971.

US Marine Corps, Officer Candidate School, Basic Branch Qualification Infantry, Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 1968.

Cornell College, Iowa, BA Biology, Chemistry, 1967.

Certificates Held

NRA Certified Police Firearms Instructor

Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor, International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors

Distinguished Expert, National Forensic Center

Individual voluntary Practical Pistol Instructor

Certified Instructor, certified User, Special Purpose Low-Lethality Anti-Terrorist Munitions (SPLLATM-ASI)

Manodnock PR-24 Instructor

Glock Pistol Armorer

Colorado State Board Private Occupational Credential for Security Services

Professional Memberships

Police Marksman Association

Distinguished Experts, National Forensic Center

International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors

American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers

National Rifle Association