Personal Bio - Garrick

  Hello, my name is Garrick Fernbaugh, many know me simply as Fern. I devoted 20 years to the US Navy (1988-2008). During that time I was a member of SEAL Team Three twice, SEAL team Five and a tour at the Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWC) Land Warfare division.  

  After leaving military service I began contracting for the CIA (2008-2015). I was deployed to Afghanistan more than 20 times spending about 4 years actually on the ground while performing the duties depicted in the movie 13 Hours In Benghazi.  

  Initially, after contracting I aimed my intentions towards protecting kids in schools until I understood no one wants to fund the solution or truly fix the problem. I began providing firearms and tactics training for military, law enforcement and civilians under the company name Red Frog (2015-2020). 

 I was a SEAL instructor teaching at the advanced side referred to as TRADET for two years before I transferred to NSWC to teach firearms, tactics and explosives. During that time I began a military Master Training Specialist. I received formal training to mimic and maintain the training program in place at NSWC. When I began teaching my own courses in 2016 I used the same format I was accustomed to as a SEAL instructor. I quickly found that the format needed to be updated. Currently, as of June of 2024 I'm in the 3rd formal revision of my training courses.

 

Creating better firearms and tactical training courses.

  I obsess over my courses and curriculum and after a couple years of teaching on the range I realized the targets were the biggest weakness in my courses. I couldn't find the targets that were needed to improve my own training. Seeing a hole in the market for a needed product I began designing my own targets in 2020. Initially, I began photographing high res photo's of the display mannequins provided by 5.11 clothing company. At the suggestion of a friend I looked into 3D animation software and devoted to the next two months to learning 3 different programs needed to make the targets.

  In creating the target character in within the 3D animation program I select the body type, clothes and even the expression on the face. Then, I animate the character in a separate program which allows me act like a photographer. I pose the character in different positions and make an effort to depict the character moving. When cropping and creating the final product this isn't always readily apparent, but I think it matters and I think its something subtly, even subconsciously noticed therefore, it's important.

 

I'm dedicated to showing good people how to protect themselves in an increasingly dangerous world.

  Humans are capable of amazing athletic feats and in nearly every example amazing training was responsible. In my opinion, the science of tactical training has barely moved forward since the 1960's when troops switched out the bullseye for the silhouette target. I don't see faster magazine changes, or the C Grip on the rifle has the fundamental evolution of tactical training. However, following the switch to the silhouette target the combat hit ratio went way up, in fact the bleak numbers had reversed themselves. Follow me, so bullseye target = good. The silhouette target = better. There is obviously a progression here that basically shows that more realistic targets equate to better training. However, did anyone take the ball and run with it?T That's what I'm doing here, running it in for a touch down.

  Why do we shoot? Where does shooting take place? What do we see when we are shooting?  Regardless of the situation or scenario one thing is for certain, no one see's a silhouette unless it's extremely dark. What do we see? we see people moving, the situation is almost always dynamic. For this reason I make an effort to depict a body in motion, because rarely is someone standing there squared off. Also, often over looked is the importance of the psychology that accompanies the target image. Are the weapons depicted relevant? Does the character on the target look an off-duty cop or someone who doesn't care about themselves, or you?

 

   

 

   This much is certain, no one has put more thought in the targets we shoot than myself. Trust that. I'm dedicated towards making the best training aides for firearms and tactics training that you can find anywhere, period.

 

 

  Education: BA Criminal Justice (2012)  American Military University. Minor, Terrorism/Counter Terrorism

  (Applicable) Certifications: Special Warfare Operator (5326) Range Safety Officer w/numerous range designations, US Navy Instructor (9502, Master Training Specialist.