John & Mary Gemmer | Owners

John has been training with Defensive Solutions for a few years under Norm’s instruction. He is ranked Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt, and is a certified NRA Instructor.

While John is learning the ropes of training, Mary enjoys running the business behind the scenes with scheduling, marketing, and all the other things that help keep Defensive Solutions afloat.

John and Mary have five children and two (almost three) grandchildren. Their youngest child, Colten, who is 15-years-old, is also very involved with Defensive Solutions. He recently became certified as a Junior NRA Instruction and has earned his 1st Degree Brown Belt in Hojutsu-Ryu.

 

Norman Hood | LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Norman Hood is Defensive Solutions Lead Instructor. Norm retired from the US Army as Command Sergeant Major after 24 years of service. He spent 6 years with the Alaska State Troopers, that time included being a Field Training Officer. Norm is an experienced combatant who is certified to teach military, law enforcement, and civilian use of force.

Whether you are a realtor who works alone with strangers in strange places, a full-time mom who has kids in tow most of the time, or are someone who wants to be ready if danger finds you, Norm has been in bad situations, against bad people, and come out on top. He has dedicated a lifetime of learning, research, study, and certification to give you the best odds of surviving a real-world encounter. When you receive training from Norm, you are learning from someone who has been there and done that. He knows what works and when it should be used.

In addition to his numerous credentials, Norm is ranked Shihan, 5th Dan in Hojutsu-ryu (the art of the firearm) and is the exclusive instructor in the Midwest, while also studying traditional Okinawan Shorin-ryu karate and Kobodo (weapons).

  • 40 plus years conducting rifle, pistol and shotgun training, including concealed carry courses as an independent contractor with a private firearms academy in Alaska and as a former adjunct instructor at Blackwater Worldwide, Inc.

  • Certified: Instructor of law enforcement subjects by the Alaska Police Standards Council; state of Indiana Emergency Medical Responder; state of Illinois Certified Firearms Instructor; Illinois Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor; Glock Armorer; Fema Active Shooter Responder Trainer; NRA Instructor Certified in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Refuse to be a Victim, and Chief Range Safety Officer. Holds the “NRA Distinguished Expert Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun” ratings, appointed by the NRA as an Advanced Defensive Pistol Instructor.

  • Member: International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association; Church Security Alliance; Illinois Tactical Officers Association; Affiliate Instructor, Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network

  • Graduate of the Anchorage Police Department Citizens Academy, the South Bend Citizens Police Academy and the St. Joseph County Citizens Police Academy.

  • Regional Master Instructor for the Second Amendment Foundation Training Division Covering Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

  • 2015 Inductee in the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame and Hall of Heroes.