Lead Instructor
Phillip Groff – Lead Instructor
Mr. Groff is a Adjunct Firearms and DT Instructor for Direct Action Tactical Consultants. Mr. Groff has over 26 years of tactical experience with various Military and Domestic Law Enforcement units. Currently, Mr. Groff is a retired Police Officer in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, he served in patrol, training, Entry Team Leader, and Training Coordinator of the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team.
In 1995, Mr. Groff joined the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman. During his initial MOS training, Mr. Groff had been meritoriously promoted twice and selected to serve with the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion’s elite Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company (FAST).
While stationed with FAST, Mr. Groff received specialized training in Close Quarters Battle, Physical Security, Nuclear Security, Close Protection, Advanced Small Arms training, Close Combat, Maritime Interdiction, Convoy Operations, and Counter-Terrorism. Mr. Groff graduated from the Marine Corps Advanced Close Quarters Battle School and was assigned as a CQB Team Member on several real-world security missions including Operation Marathon, a joint Marine, and Coast Guard maritime interdiction operation. Mr. Groff also began a long lineage of teaching and instructing while at FAST Co. being assigned as a platoon level CQB Instructor.
After serving with FAST, Mr. Groff was re-assigned to 1st Battalion 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune NC. While serving with 1/6, Mr. Groff completed training as a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS) as well as the Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) Scout Swimmer Course. Mr. Groff held the billet of Chief Scout Swimmer and was in charge of a twenty Marine Scout Swimmer section for the training and deployment of the 24th MEU/SOC. Mr. Groff was also tasked as the primary MCIWS for the MEU, responsible for the pre-deployment water survival qualifications of the entire two thousand plus Marine MEU. Mr. Groff deployed with the 24th MEU/SOC to various countries throughout the Mediterranean, assisting foreign forces with training in waterborne operations and advanced small arms tactics. The 24th MEU/SOC also participated in the opening phases of Operation Allied Force in Kosovo.
In 2000, after discharge from the Marine Corps, Mr. Groff entered the Law Enforcement Community where he has been serving since. Currently, Mr. Groff is an adjunct Training Coordinator of the Lancaster County SERT team. Lancaster SERT is one of the largest SWAT units in the state of Pennsylvania and Mr. Groff is responsible for overseeing sustainment, outside, and specialty training. Mr. Groff has participated in hundreds of tactical operations including High-Risk Warrants, Armed Barricaded Subjects, Hostage Rescues, and Executive Protection Details.
Throughout both his military and Law enforcement Careers Mr. Groff has been extremely active in training. Mr. Groff has served as a unit level, departmental and team trainer in addition to working in the private training sector as an adjunct instructor for multiple private training companies including Phalanx Training Group and the U.S. Shooting Academy. Mr. Groff currently owns and operates VIGR Training.
Mr. Groff is also a sponsored, semi-professional, competitive shooter competing in USPSA, IDPA, Steel and NRA TPC.