Kris 'Tanto' Paronto

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Now that Kris is no longer doing government work, he is using his advanced knowledge and skill-sets in combat and weaponry to train others through his company Battleline Tactical.

Kris is a former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and private security contractor who has deployed throughout South America, Central America, the Middle East, and North Africa. He has worked with the US government’s Global Response Staff, the US State Department Diplomatic Security High Threat Protection Program, and various private security companies to include Blackwater Security Consulting, Osen Hunter Group, Greystone LLC, and Nexus Security Consulting carrying  out security operations and firearms & tactical instruction throughout the world.  

Prior to starting Battleline Tactical he has held positions since 2005 as a Lead Firearms and Tactics instructor  for Blackwater Security,  Osen Hunter Group and Greystone LLC instructing US and Foreign Students on the use of various eastern bloc and western firearm platforms, surveillance, surveillance detection,  force protection, personal security detail operations, motorcade operations, principle rescue and evacuation, small unit tactics, close quarter battle, mobile operations in urban terrain and many other various tactical skillsets. 

Ben Morgan is a former member of the 75th Ranger Regiment,1st Ranger Battalion and a former U.S. Army infantry officer. He served in the 19th Special Forces Group while earning his Bachelor's Degree in History from Colorado Sate University. Ben worked in Iraq as a Close Quarters Battle instructor, teaching Iraqi and coalitions forces, and also worked in Africa as part of the ACOTA (Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program), training battalion level staff officers to prepare for peace and support operations in Darfur. Ben worked for the U.S. State Department High Threat Protection program in Baghdad, Iraq and went on to invent the Dry Fire Pro Timer and establish Morgan Timing Systems, LLC to address a gap in the training needs he experienced while working overseas. Ben also heads ups the Tanto Vodka side of the house.

Christopher Doner began his martial arts training in 1983 while growing up in Ohio. His passion for realistic training led him to Nebraska where he became a personal student of renowned martial artist, Robert Bussey. He earned black belts in both Robert Bussey’s Warrior International and Rosenbach Warrior Training Branches and ran an affiliated school in Omaha for several years where he met and developed his friendship with Kris “Tanto” Paronto.

In 1999 Doner began to train combatives under the tutelage of friend and former Army Ranger, Ethan Jensen. Doner holds instructor credentials in Jensen Knife Combatives and is a Certified Instructor of Martial Blade Concepts / Counter Blade Concepts under Michael Janich.

In 2012 Doner was one of a handful of people personally selected by the legendary Kelly McCann to beta test McCann’s pilot Civilian Training Program. This opportunity led to further training with McCann and his Kembativz Brand organization. Always a student, Doner continues to seek out training to maintain and improve his skills and the skills of his students.

Doner is an experienced security professional with over twenty-three years of service in commercial, industrial and corporate settings. He served twelve years as an armed officer of a nuclear site protection team trained in various small arms techniques, tactics and procedures before returning to the corporate sector. Today Doner is a Senior Specialist, Corporate Security & Safety for First National Bank of Omaha.

In addition to his regular duties, he serves as a defensive-tactics instructor for the bank.

Michael Billings served in the United States Army Reserve as a Combat Engineer.  During his time in service he was able to advance his training doing  route clearance, demolition, breaching, and CQB tactics.  As a Combat Engineer, Michael was certified as a combat life saver and received TCCC medical training as a soldier. When Michael wasn’t training with his unit, he worked full time as Armed Security in the heart of downtown Nashville while attending college.  Michael worked for 10 years in the security industry. He gained experience working private venues, company events, and concerts as an armed and unarmed security guard.  Michael excelled in downtown Nashville, working his way up to security manager and head of security for Tequila Cowboy Group. During his time working security, Michael kept his medical training current as a first responder and medical personnel with the company.  Following in his father’s shoes, he spent several years working as a first responder and volunteering his time with the fire department.  In 2017, Michael began working as a firearms instructor for USA Defense out of Murfreesboro, TN. While earning his degree in Aviation, Michael continued to train as an instructor and competitive shooter.    

Michael spent two years with some highly qualified instructors learning and training on firearms tactics, self defense, weapons combatives, advanced firearms, team movement and communication, etc.  Michael has traveled and had the opportunity to work with several different agencies from Battleline Tactical, LEO SWAT and SRT Teams, Security Agents, and members of the United States Military during this two year time frame.   

Michael strives to continue his journey as an instructor and a student. Leading others required Michael to follow amongst leaders of men in order to be a leader himself.  Michael is active with the firearm community and stands firm with law enforcement and military personnel.  He continues to seek training and knowledge in order to give back to his community and those on the front lines.  

Israel Matos is Marine combat veteran with multiple certifications in weapons and combative tactics. His real-world experiences and technical training are a great asset to the Battleline Tactical team. He is the Owner of the Defensive Marksmanship Instructor Group (DMIG). He is also one of the founding fathers and developers of Shootingclasses.com which is one of the system used by Battleline Tactical for classes scheduling and administrative needs. 

He served with 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines Fox Company Weapons Platoon, Weapons and Field Training Battalion Quantico, 3rd Battalion 4th Marines Weapons Company 81 Millimeter Mortar Platoon. He was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and the 26th MEU. He was awarded the Purple Heart June 15, 2011 and the Naval Commendation with Combat Distinguishing Device 23rd day of January 2012. 

-NRA Tactical Law Enforcement Instructor course 

-NRA Pistol Instructor -NRA Personal Protection in the Home Instructor 

-Infantry Assaultman (0351) 

-Infantry Anti-tank missleman (0352) 

-Primary and Combat Marksmanship Coach (0931) 

-Primary and Combat Marksmanship Trainer (0933) 

-Marine Corps Foreign Weapons Instructor Course (November 2009) 

-Foreign Weapons Instructor (FWIC) 

-Marine Corps Martial Arts Brown Belt 

-Competitive Shooter Uspsa, 2-gun and 3-gun 

DOC is a Navy veteran, Tactical medic and Protective Security Specialist. Mike brings over 40 years of experience and a global perspective on security and threat assessment.  Mike’s numerous certifications include American Heart Association and Red Cross CPR and First Aid instructor, Stop the Bleed Instructor, Alice Training Institute and Texas State University “ALERRT” Certified Active Shooter/Incident instructor, and NRA Firearms Instructor.

Mike is also the owner and lead instructor of Survival Mindset Training Group (SMTG)

Jeremy Mitchell retired as a Sergeant First Class from the United States Army as a military police officer. Jeremy was deployed several times during his 17 years of service before he retired due to injuries received while serving his country.

Jeremy has served and worked in many specialized fields.
• State Military Department Army Protection Program NCOIC
• State Level Physical Security Inspector/Advisor - JFHQ
• State Level Operation Security (OPSEC) Manager - JFHQ
• Antiterrorism Force Protection (AT/FP) NCOIC - JFHQ
• Domestic Operations Group (DOG) Knowledge/Information Manager
• Domestic Operations Group (DOG) Training NCO
• Joint Operation Center (JOC) Mission Tracking & Information Manager
• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Mission Tracking
• Joint Operations NCO (J3) for Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA)
• Personal Security Detail (PSD) Escort & Driver
• Advanced Interview and Interrogation Specialist
• Neuro Linguistics Programing Specialist and Instructor

Jeremy is also the owner of Advance Defense Assessment Preparation Team (A.D.A.P.T) and developer of Operating Near Extreme Stress Drills (ONES-Drills) and the Simulated Combat Application Tourniquet Training System (SCATTS)

Jesse Fenley expanded his passion for firearms in his late teens. In 2012 was accepted to be in his local Police Cadets program.  Jesse has worked with a lot of very amazing shooters and people in the industry over the years. He seeks out people that are well informed and soaks up information from reputable sources.  

Jesse's attitude of integrity and absolute unwillingness to give up is what lead him to become one of the most informed and well trained citizens around. Jesse has an understanding of firearms and maneuvering that is outstanding. His ability to use his weapons as an extension of his own self is what makes him stand out. Jesse has his own training company as well and is very excited to be apart of the Battleline team.  

Jesse has a firm belief that any citizen can and should be well equipped to protect themselves and those around them at all times. He is always learning and furthering himself to not only be a better instructor, but be a better and more equipped US citizen.