After nearly 24 years of military service, Casey brings a career of elite operational experience, leadership, and instruction to SOCP. Casey enlisted in the United States Army in July 2003 and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course (Q Course) in 2006, earning the Green Beret and assignment to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he served for nearly five years conducting overseas operations and advanced tactical training.
Casey later transitioned to a Tier 1 Special Mission Unit at Fort Bragg, where he spent the last 15 years of his career supporting some of the nation’s most demanding missions. During that time, he served 10 years on an assault team, ultimately culminating as a Team Leader before transitioning into an instructor role. He has served as the Primary Instructor for both Hand-to-Hand Combatives and Close Quarters Battle (CQB), training personnel in high-risk tactical operations, leadership under pressure, and mission-critical decision-making. He has been a student, instructor and tactical advisor of the Special Operations Combative Program (SOCP) under Greg Thompson since its inception as a program of record in 2010.
Outside of his military background, Casey has spent a lifetime immersed in martial arts and combat sports. He began boxing and wrestling at a young age, wrestled throughout high school, and continued competitive boxing while stationed in Alaska, where he became both the USARAK Heavyweight and Middleweight Champion. His martial arts credentials include black belts in Kenpo and Kaju kenbo, as well as a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Greg Thompson. His experience combines decades of operational application with a deep passion for teaching, mentorship, and the development of capable leaders and professionals.
– Retired US Army LTC; 30+ years of SOF experience with service in 75th Ranger Regiment, Special Forces Groups and USASOC
– Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent; 20+ years of Federal Law Enforcement tactical experience with the FBI; including service on field SWAT and the Hostage Rescue Team
– Combat and/or operational experience in multiple geographic regions
– SOCP Lead Tactical Instructor He has been a student, instructor and tactical advisor of the Special Operations Combative Program (SOCP) under Greg Thompson since its inception as a program of record in 2010. BJJ black belt, Tae Kwon Do black belt; varied skill and experience with kali, aikido, boxing, wrestling, Muy Thai and judo.
“D” is a retired Sergeant Major with 25 years of military service where he spent most of his military career in elite Special Operations. He has been a student, instructor and tactical advisor of the Special Operations Combative Program (SOCP) under Greg Thompson since its inception as a program of record in 2010.
“D” earned his Special Forces Green Beret in 1993 as an (18B) Weapons Sergeant and assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) deploying to numerous countries in Central and South America. He then assessed and was selected for a Tier 1 Special Mission Unit at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1997. This is when he started training in Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA under Royce Gracie and Greg Thompson, thus culminating his last 15 years complementing his elite Tier 1 military service in Assault, Recce, and other aspects of Special Operations in multiple theaters around the world.
As the owner and lead instructor of D3 Defense LLC, “D” is a Gracie Barra Black Belt and a head MMA fighting coach at the world-renowned Jackson Wink Fighting Academy in Albuquerque, NM. “D” continues to train, consult, and advise Department of Defense, government agencies and law enforcement on combatives, weapons, and tactics. His emphasis is training SOCP in Special Operations and Law Enforcement and uses some of these techniques to train elite UFC MMA fighters from World Champions to professional and amateur champions on regional circuits.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMBATIVES PROGRAM
After September 11, 2001, Greg was one of a small group of civilians asked to work as a Federal Defensive Tactics and Air Marshal hand to hand instructor in Artesia, New Mexico. Greg Thompson is the creator of SOCP® (Special Operations Combatives Program) which became a Program of Record on March 23, 2010. SOCP was the first officially designated Combatives Program for all U.S. Army Special Operations Forces and is now the standard program for fighting in full combat body armor across all services and some Federal Agencies. The Enlisted Records Brief Codes are: (SOCP I: BRT), (SOCP II: FBR).
Greg has created SOCP Instructors at all Special Forces Groups (1ST,3RD,5TH,7TH,10TH), USAJFKSWCS, Army Rangers, Range 37 (Advanced Skills Battalion), Air Force Pararescue / SERE, Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), Marine Force Recon, Navy Special Warfare – SEAL, Coast Guard Direct Action Teams and many other Special units. He is also currently training Federal, State and local Law Enforcement, such as FBI, ATF, US Marshals/SOG, Border Patrol BORTAC and several other key units.
BACKGROUND AND SKILLS
Greg Thompson has been training Special Operations Units since 1998. In 2004 UFC legend, Royce Gracie gave out his first Black Belts to Greg and four other students at Greg’s Mixed Martial Arts School – Team R.O.C. Greg is currently a 4th degree and is still training with Royce since the early 90’s. Team R.O.C. is known for training some of the top No Holds Barred (NHB) fighter’s on the East Coast. Tap Out Magazine has ranked Team R.O.C. the number one MMA School in North Carolina. They have participated in many high level competitions some of which include the Ultimate Fighter Championship (UFC), The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), K-1, HDnet, Rumble on the Rock, King of the Cage. Greg also is a certified instructor Kru in Muay Thai with Black Belts in several other systems.
Greg’s other achievements are: 2003 NAGA World Champion Advanced Division, Triangle Grappling and Guererros Gauntlet Superfight Champion, 2000 Pan-Ams Silver Medalist, Gracie National 200-210 lbs Champion.
Greg is the author of H2H Combatives. This book illustrates, striking, clinching, weapon offense and defense, weapon transition and retention into and over objects. In July 2019 Greg was mentioned in an article by MMAworldreport.com called “The Innovators: Five people who are changing Martial Arts”. In January 2021 Greg was also featured in Retired Navy Seal and NSA agent Clint Emerson’s Book 101 Deadly Skills Combat edition as one of the top Combative Instructors in the World.
PRODUCT DESIGN
Greg has a Masters Degree in Industrial Design from North Carolina State University and has taken dozens of products to market. He currently has six patents Most of his designs were inspired by the needs revealed by his combative systems for self-defense. Greg has designed five Knives and one rescue tool. These knives were so successful they were given government NSN numbers. Greg also has products that enhance combative training.
Tactical Products
- SOCP Sling pack is a versatile pack that can attach to any strap, belts, backpacks, visor or insert. It has unique fold down phone clear pocket and quick deploy dagger pockets.
- SOCP Insert is perfect for concealed carry organization. It allows you to quickly change bags and or acquire equipment quick.
- SOCP Fanny pack
- SOCP Daggers 175, 176, 178 patented designs are Low profile and quick to deploy with either hand. The skeletonize handle allows you to transition to your other force multiplier without releasing.
- SOCP Rescue Tool 179 is great for cutting seatbelts and breaking glass. It is Quick to deploy and maneuver while doing multiple task. Can be used for less than lethal options.
- SOCP Folder 391, 391T is a unique, low profile knife. Its short clip and sleek design make it the ultimate, concealed carry, self-defense folder. Other features are a carbide glass breaker, two clips choose, four separate attachments.
- SOCP Fixed Blade 185
- Spiderti Is a patented restraining system that is easy to carry and adapt to multiple restraining situations.
- Defenseband is a patented self-defense watch band design to apply an Ezekiel choke!
Training Products
- O.C. Impact Suit is a full body suit with unique features to aid in role-playing and simunitions!
- Combat Cubes are designed to create a safe, realistic environment for combative role-playing.
- SOCP AR Training rifle re-design For Safety.
- AR pad provides safety padding over existing training rifles to enhance combative training.
- SOCP Training knives
- 176T
- 391T
- H2H Combatives book is a manual for sustainment training, and a blueprint for creating a well-rounded Soldier or Marine.