Get to Know Wes Doss

This is part one of a four-part series where you learn more about our new Brand Ambassadors, from their tactical training background to what they do for fun. This week we’re featuring Wes Doss, who has a lengthy history of military and law enforcement tactical training and instruction, a PhD, and an affinity for a good cigar.

What is your background – tactical and otherwise?

As a teen in Flagstaff, AZ, I was a member of the Sheriff’s Alpine Rescue Team, conducting technical rope rescue operations in Northern AZ.

- 21 years US Army (active duty and reserve) – Infantry, Military Police, CID Special Agent, multiple deployments. Retired from service 2006.
- 24 years civilian law enforcement with three agencies in Arizona and Louisiana. Ran agencies’ firearms training unit, member of the state POST SME committee on firearms and tactics, ran agencies tactical operations unit (SWAT), team leader on the agencies Medical Evacuation Team (MET) conducting long line rescue and technical rope rescue operations, served in multiple roles: Patrol Officer, Detective, Patrol Supervisor (Sergeant).
- Taught as a soldier and a police officer, worked at the Sigarms (Sig Sauer) academy as an instructor; former Training Director for Crimson Trace Corporation; former Director of Training for The Brownells Training Group (actually stood up Brownells LE program “Police Store”); trained and consulted on contract with agencies in the US, Japan, Poland, Finland, Jordan, UAE, Australia, Barbados, Columbia, Canada and the US Virgin Islands.
- Published two books on training psychology: Train to Win and Condition to Win. Third book pending.

What inspired you to become a tactical trainer?

It’s essentially all I’ve ever done. With a lifetime of experiences, I have seen the outcome first hand of bad training, so I guess I wanted to help make a difference, especially with those whose job description requires the best training and conditioning they can get. And then I’ve found inspiration from many celebrated figures from this industry, many of whom I’m honored to call friends. They have mentored me over the years, and I have tried to glean as much knowledge from them as I can.

What is your main or primary training philosophy?

We (my company and I) put the student first. We don’t focus on gear or aftermarket modifications. We focus on training and conditioning the organism to operate as effectively as possible in the most arduous conditions. Our company tag line in “Training Warriors to Win.” The idea is to make them understand the why as much as the how.

What is the biggest takeaway you want students to learn?

You can have all the expensive aftermarket accessories on your weapon, but if you aren’t the one under control it won’t make any difference. The accessories have a place, to support you, to assist you, but they don’t determine your worth in a conflict. I want students to walk away with an actual increase in skills and confidence.

Why did you decide to hop on board with Propper as a Brand Ambassador?

Propper has a 50-year history of providing hard use clothing and soft goods to our nation’s military forces. While Propper works with hi-tech ideas and materials, it has always stayed true to the idea of building quality. As an instructor, what I wear matters, to me and to my students. Students, particularly law enforcement, want the best but must spend their money wisely. It’s hard for me to advocate to a small town or county officer that he needs a $500 soft shell because some self-proclaimed pseudo-guru with a beard and tribal tats says he needs the $500 soft shell, when in fact there is a $130 soft shell that is of equal or better quality.

I think my sense of responsibility is paralleled by Propper’s sense of responsibility.

Tell us something about you that readers can’t learn from Google.

Along with all the military and law enforcement experience, I also have a PhD in Psychology (Performance or Sports Psychology) and minored in Kinesiology. I apply the performance principles of these disciplines in the training we provide at Khyber.

Also, I am a monumental beer, whiskey, and cigar snob and am working on retirement plans to open a micro-brewery.

What are some things you like to do when you’re not training or teaching – fun stuff?

It seems odd, with my travel schedule for work, but I like to travel with my wife, Hye Chong (married 30 years in 2016). We enjoy travel to new places and outdoor activities. When I’m not on a range or in a classroom we are usually on a mountain somewhere in the middle of a hike, exploring a canyon or climbing a rock face.

Additionally, my wife and I spend a lot of time in the gym; we’re both workout fanatics. I guess this is a bi-product of a hard, physically abusive life. In order to keep doing what I do, I need to stay in shape.