Meet The Instructors  

Why we chose the Pray Mantis

The Praying Mantis was chosen as a symbol due to its native presence in the Pacific Northwest, representing the qualities of persistence and courage. It embodies the balance between choosing when to act and when to remain still, mirroring the critical decisions in self-defense. The mantis, with its natural ability to blend in and its calculated approach to survival, serves as a powerful metaphor for remaining calm in the face of adversity and being effective when action is necessary..

Firearms Instructors

A man wearing a black shirt with a tactical logo, camouflage hat, and tactical gear, standing outdoors in the rain.

  • Lead USPSA Instructor & Basic Firearms.

    Growing up he loved to play outside. This business allows him to bring training to those who are unsure and want a welcoming family friendly environment.

    Michael Certifications-

    • Patrol Rifle Instructor

    • Alice Active Shooter Instructor

    • DPSST Armed/Unarmed Security

    • DPSST Private Security Executive Manager.

    • NRA Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Range Safety Officer and Chief Range Safety Officer

    • NRA CCW Instructor

    • Glock Certified Armorer

Instructor wearing sunglasses and a cap is pointing at a shooting target chart on a wooden post outdoors during daytime.


  • Chief Operations Instructor for Security and Host Events.

    It began with an idea after his time spent in the military and time spent in Law Enforcement. Shooting firearms was a hobby but then became a lifestyle for himself and his family, he hopes to teach others as Michael and him begin this journey as knowledge transfer specialist as this turned into Michaels Dream.

    Certifications-

    ● DPSST Instructor in Unarmed and Armed Security.

    -DPSST certifications in Armed/Unarmed Security.

    ● DPSST Security Executive Manager.

    • NRA Law Enforcement Instructor.

    • NRA Firearms Instructor.

    • NRA CCW Instructor

    • Chief Range Safety Officer

    • Oregon Conceal Carry Instructor

    • Alice Active Shooter Instructor

    ● Certified Glock Armorer

A police officer aiming a handgun at a target at a shooting range, with other officers in the background.


  • LEAD Law Enforcement Instructor for, Mantis Strategic Defense LLC®
    JB is a seasoned instructor with an extensive background in both military and law enforcement service. A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former law enforcement officer, JB also served as a member of a SWAT team, gaining valuable experience in high-risk tactical operations. He holds multiple certifications as a firearms and tactical instructor and brings a no-nonsense, safety-first approach to every course. JB is dedicated to helping students build confidence, competence, and a solid foundation through structured, real-world training.

    • LE / MILITARY / EXECUTIVE PROTECTION TRAINING AND PAGE COMING SOON!

Man with a beard and yellow hearing protection using a spotting scope at an outdoor shooting range.

  • Our Lead Long Range Precision Cadre & Gunsmith, Machinist.
    Aaron Leads our Mantis as the Long-Distance Marksmanship Instructor; he also runs his group: Southern Oregon Long Range Club. He brings unmatched expertise in firearms craftsmanship and long-range precision shooting. As a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder, he is skilled in all aspects of firearms knowledge, custom manufacturing, and advanced gunsmithing. Specializing in precision bolt-action builds capable of consistent hits beyond 1,000 yards, Aaron leads our long-distance shooting program. He trains students on the fundamentals of precision rifle shooting, including optic mounting, rifle setup, zeroing, and gear placement. Aaron also provides in-house slide milling and custom optic installations for non-optic-ready handguns—supporting both civilian shooters and law enforcement clients with professional-grade modifications.

A man wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, and a black tactical vest labeled "Matt E. Paramedic" stands outdoors on sandy ground, holding a camera, with a blue barrel and other people in the background.

  • Matt is a double board-certified Critical Care Flight Paramedic with Mercy Flights and brings over 20 years of experience in emergency medicine to the training environment. His operational background includes urban EMS systems, rural response, and austere medical settings, giving him a broad clinical perspective he applies directly to instruction.

    As a former firefighter and Marine, Matt integrates disciplined decision-making, situational awareness, and structured response protocols into his teaching style. His experience working in conflict-affected regions across multiple continents has provided him with real-world exposure to complex casualty care, resource-limited treatment, and high-stress medical operations — all of which inform his practical, scenario-driven training approach.

    Matt has also worked as an armed medical contractor supporting high-risk operations, further strengthening his ability to teach casualty care principles relevant to tactical, remote, and critical-incident environments. In addition to field operations, he has taught at the university level, reinforcing his ability to translate complex medical concepts into clear, effective instruction for students of varying experience levels.

    As a cadre instructor, Matt emphasizes competence under pressure, critical thinking, and hands-on proficiency, ensuring students leave with practical, applicable skills they can confidently execute in real-world emergencies.

Michael Rexius

Michael Rexius is a dedicated firearms instructor and co-owner of a business in Medford, Oregon, with a strong passion for teaching people of all ages the fundamentals, skills, and safe handling of firearms. Born and raised in Medford, Michael initially had dreams of playing college football for the University of Oregon. However, a series of sports injuries over three consecutive years, combined with the disruption of his senior football season due to COVID-19 restrictions, dashed his hopes of pursuing a collegiate football career.

Undeterred by these setbacks, Michael sought a new direction and found his passion in serving others through the United States Air Force. He was particularly drawn to the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) program, a Special Operations Support Specialist role that would have allowed him to teach military members how to survive in various environments, from wilderness to combat settings. With a love for the outdoors and a strong work ethic developed through football, Michael dedicated himself to preparing for the rigorous SERE training pipeline. Despite a knee injury requiring ACL replacement, he trained extensively, eventually passing the military's Physical Ability and Stamina Test (PAST) with scores that qualified him for all jobs in the Air Force, including SERE.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related military restrictions, Michael's plans to join the SERE program were thwarted. Yet, his desire to serve and help others remained strong. This led him to explore his interest in American history, constitutional rights, and firearms. Michael's fascination with firearms grew, and he began to focus on training, learning, and educating himself on firearms handling, laws, and survival techniques. He had been familiar with shooting since the age of 15, but his interest deepened as he started to understand the historical significance and the importance of firearms.

From the age of 17 onward, Michael committed himself to serious training and development in firearms knowledge and survival skills. This dedication ultimately led him to open his business, where he continues his education and shares his expertise with others who, like him, have an interest in firearms but may not fully understand them. Michael's goal is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for individuals to handle firearms safely and effectively, ensuring they are well-prepared and informed.

A man at an outdoor shooting range wearing safety glasses, a baseball cap, and a beige jacket, with targets and shooting equipment visible in the background.

Company Founders

A man wearing a green jacket, jeans, and a baseball cap stands in front of a black banner with a green and white insect logo, giving a presentation or speech inside a room with industrial walls and a poster of a gun.

Josh McOmber

Josh McOmber has dedicated himself to be a professional. Josh came from a strong background in teamwork, service, protection and law enforcement mindset. Growing up in a family with parents who lead by example in served, the United States Air Force and the medical field, Josh was inspired by his parents example of service to others. After his time in college athletics ended, he sought to connect with that sense of service, leading him to a career in law enforcement in southern Oregon.

Josh continued to serve by joining the United States Air Force, where he applied his prior knowledge of police officer safety from his time serving in a Reserve law enforcement capacity and combined it with his military tactical / combat training. Throughout his military career, Josh focused on remaining a student of his trade and training every chance he could. Josh worked in various roles, training was his main focus, he was able to work with groups who had experience in combat deployments, city urban warfare, county open land operations, and assisted state and federal law enforcement operations. His service took him to different states outside of Oregon, where he gained knowledge and skillsets working with and among units and AFSOC.

Josh having completed his military career with an Honorable Discharge Nov 2021, he now focuses on sharing his knowledge with his community and first responders, he aims to educate others as a solider of Christ in his community as a Christian and teach with self-protection and the effective use of firearms and de-escalation and bringing outside companies and training for the rogue valley agencies and community to attend.

Josh's ultimate goal is to transfer his extensive knowledge and skills he has acquired from security, law enforcement and military to others, empowering them to feel confident and prepared in their own self-defense. He is passionate about turning the "unknown" or uncomfortable aspects of firearm use into a natural and essential part of everyday life for those he teaches.

Mantis Strategic Defense is a locally veteran family-owned training company based in Southern Oregon, committed to providing up-to-date firearms handling and training. We offer security certifications with Oregon's DPSST (Department of Public Safety Standards and Training) courses, as well as various weapons safety and handling courses for civilians. Our mission is to create a welcoming atmosphere for clients of all skill levels, focusing on state and federal weapons education and teachings of fundamental skills that are essential to life with and without firearms. These include safety, situational awareness, self-defense, and mindset.

As instructors, we dedicated ourselves to helping clients improve in the areas they wish to focus on, offering personalized guidance and support. For our more advanced courses, we collaborate with professional trainers and instructors who are recognized as knowledge experts in their fields. Our commitment to providing an educated and experienced staff ensures that every client at Mantis Strategic Defense receives high-quality training.

What sets us apart is our dedication to creating an egoless, family-oriented environment where everyone feels welcome. Our motto, "Be Ready, Always Train, and Stay Free," encapsulates our belief in the importance of preparedness, continuous training, and the preservation of freedom.