Professional Summary

Tom Sotis is a globally recognized expert in self-protection, defensive tactics, and combatives training with over 40 years of experience. He is the founder of four successful training companies—Truly Safer (Self-Protection), AMOK Global (Use of Weapons), Defensive Knife (Police Tactics), and Carry Safer (Defensive Shooting). Throughout his career, he has provided elite training to U.S. and foreign government agencies, military units, law enforcement personnel, and private security teams worldwide.

With firsthand experience in real-world violence, Tom’s background includes criminal investigations, fugitive recovery, executive protection, and high-risk security operations. His innovative training methodologies, human performance coaching, and deep knowledge of edged weapons combat have influenced security forces in over 25 countries. He continues to lead the industry as an author, instructional video producer, and motivational coach in combat effectiveness and tactical decision-making.

Professional Experience

Founder & Lead Instructor | Tom Sotis LLC

West Palm Beach, FL | 1982 – Present

• Established and leads Truly Safer, AMOK Global, Defensive Knife, and Carry Safer, providing specialized training in self-protection, edged weapons combat, police tactics, and defensive shooting.
• Conducted over 1,500 self-protection seminars in more than 25 countries, training over 15,000 individuals, including professionals in government, military, law enforcement, and corporate security.
• Conducted customized tactical training for:
  • U.S. Intelligence Agencies, U.S. Special Forces, U.S. Secret Service (CAT/ERT), FBI, DEA, IRS/CID, SWAT Teams, State & Municipal Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Executive Protection.
  • International military, law enforcement, and security agencies from Russia, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, New Zealand, Denmark, Cambodia, Greece, and other countries.
• Designed instructional content on tactical knife fighting, unarmed knife defense, motivation profiling analysis, and peak performance optimization.

Training & Consulting Experience

• International Agencies Trained
• Cambodian Special Forces | Danish Law Enforcement | Hellenic (Greek) Coast Guard | Mexican Federal Police | New Zealand Prison Guards | Norwegian Law Enforcement | Russian Spetsnaz Counterterrorism | South African Military | Spanish Law Enforcement | Swedish Law Enforcement
• U.S. Federal Agencies Trained
• U.S. Intelligence Agencies | U.S. Special Forces | U.S. Secret Service (CAT/ERT) | IRS Criminal Investigation Division | FBI | DEA | Federal U.S. Attorney | New England Organized Crime / Drug Enforcement Task Force
• U.S. State & Municipal Agencies Trained
• Massachusetts State Police / SWAT | Boston Municipal Police Academy | Rhode Island Sheriffs | Suffolk County Sheriff’s & Corrections | Rhode Island SWAT | Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institute
• Private Sector & Community Training
• Private Security Firms | Corporate Training | Martial Arts Organizations | High-risk groups | Over 15,000 individuals trained worldwide

Certifications & Affiliations

• International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
• U.S. Concealed Carry Association Instructor #2365415
• NRA Pistol/Rifle Instructor #258071315
• First Responder CPR/AED
• First Responder, Stop the Bleed
• Motivation Profiler/Analyst
• West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Marine Unit Volunteer
• Boating Safety Certification (NASBLA, US Coast Guard Recognized)

Notable Achievements

• Lifetime Achievement Award, Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2001)
• Order of Sikatuna Award, presented by the Philippine Presidential Command (2001)
• Master Instructor of the Year, United International Kung-fu Hall of Fame (2000)
• First American to train the Crimson Berets, Russian Spetsnaz (1994)
• World Kickboxing Champion, World Professional Karate Organization (1980)

Additional Expertise

• Survival Training: Knife-only survival, bushcraft, and primitive methods
• Aquatic & Sub-Aquatic Skills: Boating, sailing, free-diving, rescue diving, and hunting

Publications & Media

Books

• Published over 30 books in non-fiction, fiction, and reference categories
• Numerous articles in martial arts, tactical training, and self-protection publications

Speaking & Training

• Frequent keynote speaker on self-protection, edged weapons training, and human performance psychology
• Provides specialized training and consulting for military, law enforcement, and private security firms worldwide

Contact Information

West Palm Beach, FL
www.TomSotis.com
tom@tomsotis.com
508-524-1073