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Illinois Tactical Academy 

Instructors

All of our instructors are current or former law enforcment officers

 

 

Jim Hamilton  - Managing Director 

 

Jim Hamilton is a former state law enforcement officer that began his firearm training before turning 5.  His family introduced firearms, firearms safety and hunting as normal child upbringing.  Later on, he was a member of the police pistol team, police academy instructor and certified investigator and drug agent.

Upon leaving police work, he grew through the ranks of corporate America; serving as Executive Vice President of RadioShack and Corporate Vice President of Motorola Mobility's Channel Group.  

 

 

He holds the following certifications:

 

  • Texas Department of Public Safety Certified CHL Instructor

  • Illinois State Police Certified Concealed Carry License Instructor

  • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor - Pistol

  • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor - Rifle

  • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor - Shotgun

  • NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer

  • NRA Certified Refuse to be a Victim Instructor

 

He opened Illinois Tactical Academy LLC  to provide firearms and firearms safety training to anyone interested in firearms, currently possess firearms or want to learn more about the great shooting sports - hunting, target shooting, trap, skeet and sporting clays.

 

In 2013, Jim and Kim Hamilton served as Co-Chairman of the NRA Annual Meeting in Houston.

 

Jim has a MBA from the University of Dallas, serves on the Board of the Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Board of Industry Leaders of the Consumer Electronics Association (CES Show).  Jim is also a Benefactor Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Life Member of the Illinois State Rifle Association, Life Member of the Texas Rifle Association, Member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Member IDPA (International Defensive Police Association) 

 

Jim is a former member of the Grapevine-Colleyville School Board, Member Colleyville Lions Club, Member Knights of Columbus, Member Colleyville Citizens on Patrol and Chairman of Colleyville Police Explorer Post 5201.

 

Jim Kosik - Director of Training

 

Jim Kosik is the recently retired Deputy Chief of Police of a  Suburban Chicago Police Department.  He is an avid shooter and tactical instructor.  Jim has extensive police and civilian firearms instruction experience.  

           

  • National Rifle Association Certified Pistol Instructor

  • Illinois State Police Certified Concealed Carry License Instructor

  • National Rifle Association Range Safety Officer

  • Certified as a Firearms Instructor by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in 1995

  • 40 Hour Firearms Instructors Course – F.B.I. Regional Training Center, North Chicago Illinois

  • 24 Hour Firearms Instructor Development: Problem Solving and Liability Issues

  • Licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation authorized to carry a firearm in 1981 (license number 230047099)

  • Firearms certification from the Police Training Institute, University of Illinois.

  • 32 Hour Firearms Training System (F.A.T.S. III) Instructor course

  • 24 Hour Police Urban Rifle/Carbine Tactical Shooting Skills

  • Managing Officer involved shootings course

  • Mental Preparation for Armed Confrontation course – U.S. Department of Justice

  • 16 Hour Center Axis Relock (C.A.R.) course

 

He is also a graduate of:

  • John Reid and Associates - Interview and Interrogations           

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation – Midwest Region - Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar - 

  • Illinois Department of State Police Dimensional Management Training Course 

 

Jim is a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Member of the West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association, Member Fraternal Order of Police, Member Illinois Police Association, former Member West Suburban Detectives Association and former Member West Suburban Juvenile Officers Association.

Dennis Hamilton - Instructor

 

Dennis Hamilton has spent his career as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT, and emergency management professional.  He currently works as an EMT at Baylor Hospital Grapevine and was formerly an EMT at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.  He like his brother Jim, has been involved with firearms and hunting since he was 5.  

 

 

Dennis holds the following certifications:

 

  • National Rifle Association Certified Pistol Instructor 

  • Texas Department of Public Safety Certified CHL Instructor

  • Illinois State Police Certified Concealed Carry License Instructor

  • Illinois Professional Emergency Manager

  • National Rifle Association Certified Range Safety Officer

  • Incident Command System Certification

  • National Response Plan (FEMA)

  • Emergency Manager Certificate (FEMA)

  • Introduction to Mitigation (FEMA)

  • Professional Development Series Certificate (FEMA)

  • Emergency Planning Certificate (FEMA)

  • Excise Design Certification (FEMA)

  • Leadership and Influence (FEMA)

  • Decision Making and Problem Solving (FEMA)

  • Emergency Preparedness Certificate (FEMA)

  • Illinois State certified Search and Rescue Technician

  • Illinois State certified Search Manager

  • Certified HAZWHOPER (40 hour course)

  • HAZMAT Awareness

  • Certified Field Training Officer Search and Rescue (Will County EMA)

  • Certified Department of Transportation HM-181

  • Certified Firefighter II

  • 180 Hour Police Training (Cicero Police Dept.)

  • Certified CPR (American Red Cross)

  • Emergency Medical Technician

  • Command & General Staff Certification

  • Certified Advanced Weather Spotter (National Weather Service)

  • Illinois Police Firearms Certification (State of Illinois)

  • CDL Class A drivers license with air brakes/ HAZMAT

  • Licensed amateur radio operator (FCC)

  • Ryu Kyu Kempo First Degree Black Belt 

 

Dennis is a life member of the National Rifle Association, member of Tarrant County Emergency Services RACES and is an amateur radio operator.  

© 2014 by Illinois Tactical Academy LLC 

Classes By Appointment Only

7 Days A Week!

 

CORPORATE OFFICE

140W18 Butterfield Road

Suite 1500

Oakbrook Terrace, IL

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