Mel Becena standing at a South Florida range during Tactical U firearms training

U.S. Army Special Operations experience

Mel Becena | Firearms Instructor

More than 20 years in the United States Army Special Operations community, followed by advanced instruction for military and law enforcement personnel.

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U.S. Army Special Operations Advanced marksmanship Force-on-Force instructor

THE TACTICAL U STANDARD

Advanced instruction begins with disciplined fundamentals and clear decisions.

Mel’s teaching background connects marksmanship, tactics, force-on-force work, and operational planning to repeatable student performance.

Operational Background

Mel Becena has more than 20 years of experience serving in the United States Army Special Operations community. He served as an Assault Team Leader and Detachment Operations Sergeant on sensitive counterinsurgency and counterterrorism missions in high-threat overseas areas.

Mel advised allied and partner-nation military and law enforcement teams in the planning and execution of counterinsurgency and counterterrorism missions. He trained partner forces in Close Quarter Battle, advanced marksmanship, small-unit tactics, and intelligence operations.

His later instructional work included Force-on-Force, Close Quarter Battle, advanced marksmanship, terrorist counteraction, and counternarcotics operations for law enforcement personnel.

Professional Affiliations

  • National Rifle Association Law Enforcement Activities Division (NRA)
  • National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Association (NLEFIA)
  • National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
  • United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
Training & Instructor Qualifications
  • Anti-terrorism Instructor Qualification Course, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
  • Anti-terrorism Officer Certification Course, U.S. Army Military Police School
  • Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course (SF O&I), John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
  • Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course (SFARTAETC), John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
  • Special Operations Training (SOT) Course, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
  • Advanced Special Operational Techniques (ASOT) Course, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
  • Operations Security Officers Course, U.S. Army Special Operations Command
  • Individual Terrorism Awareness Course (INTAC), John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
  • Force Protection Advisors Course, U.S. Army Special Operations Command
  • Executive Protection Program, American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
  • Seaport Security Antiterrorism Training Program, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
  • Surveillance Detection Supervisor Course, The Peregrine Group
  • Special Forces Weapons Course, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
  • Physical Security and Crime Prevention Course, U.S. Army Military Police School
  • High Risk Dignitary Protection Course
  • Force-on-Force Scenario Instructor
  • NRA Law Enforcement Tactical Shooting Instructor
  • Close Quarter Combat Instructor, U.S. Army
  • NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
  • NRA Range Safety Officer
  • NRA Basic Pistol
  • NRA Basic Rifle
  • NRA Basic Shotgun
  • NRA Home Firearm Safety
  • NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
  • General Pistol Course, Gunsite, Arizona
Professional Affiliations
  • National Rifle Association Law Enforcement Activities Division (NRA)
  • National Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Association (NLEFIA)
  • National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
  • United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)

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Legal Notice And Training Disclaimer

Information on this website is for education and firearms training only. It does not constitute legal advice, create an attorney-client relationship, or replace guidance from a qualified attorney. Firearms and use-of-force laws vary by jurisdiction and can change. Tactical U provides firearms instruction, not legal representation.