Team Dead Drift

JEFF CHANG, CO/PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR

I’m Jeff. I’ve been a full time policeman for 30 years, in 3 different cities. From as big as Los Angeles to a mid-sized, Midwestern town named Ft Wayne to my current employment with the largest Southwestern city in the country, I’ve patrolled, worked undercover, and SWATed my way through an endless sea of society’s worst. Its been exhilarating and exhausting and sucked my soul dry for decades. It has been my everyday job and the one that has provided me with more opportunity, training, and experience than all other endeavors combined. Within SWAT I’ve primarily filled the role of sniper, which is my specialty and passion, and I held that position for a total of 12 years. I finished my SWAT career as the lead sniper instructor for my team. All of this has balanced well with and complimented my secondary career…

Multiple enlistments in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. This began waaay back in 1986; before the internet, cell phones, and accurate ballistic computers. My experience there has spanned the gamut from Artillery Operations Chief to Platoon Sergeant to Scout/Sniper. I’ve been deployed to 2 wars and went to Iraq in support of combat operations during OIF 2-2. Yes, I was there for that country’s very first election. No, I was not included in Operation Phantom Fury. Yes, I’m still pissed over that. Were it not for an incompetent 1 shop I’d have finished my 20 but as things stand, I’ve only got 15.

I’ve also played the security contracting game, working for a company that sent me to Iraq another 3 times protecting embassy personnel. I was hired for that gig as a sniper also and found my skills as a police sniper served me better in that role than any other.

Currently I am a firearms instructor at the largest police academy in the state and no longer have any obligation to the United States military. I co-chair the Sniper SME Committee for the Arizona Tactical Officers Assn. and own/operate Dead Drift Consulting, LLC and Standing Offhand (dba). I’ve developed and taught multiple courses through both entities. I am a primary instructor for Strategic Armory Corps and frequently teach civilian long range hunter courses for McMillan Firearms and Surgeon Rifle clients seeking to maximize the potential of their custom rifles.

And last but certainly not least, I’ve been a core staff member of Americansnipers.org, a non-profit organization in existence since 2003. Their sole mission has been to support and equip snipers called to service overseas and who’s supply systems have become entrenched in antiquated and ridiculously complicated processes that virtually guarantee the non-acquisition of critical equipment. I was the first sniper supported by that organization when I deployed to combat as the Plt Sgt for SSP 2/24 in 2004. Since that time the organization has supported over 1300 platoons in all branches of service, both active and reserve. The organization is 100% staffed by full time and retired policemen and active and retired military personnel who earn no salary from this endeavor and reap only the benefit of networking and the satisfaction of directly contributing to our nation’s defense. The fact that I’ve been a part of this org since its beginning is a particular source of pride for me.

Dead Drift Consulting is the sum of my personal experiences and their place in my life. Shooting a rifle under difficult circumstances, launching arrows at targets both live and inanimate, and casting a fly rod at high country cutthroats; living off-grid and miles from roads and resources, listening to aspen leaves in the wind, and falling asleep to the sound of running water; all of this has brought to me a peace of mind and soul that I’ve found unattainable in any other environment. Those I’ve worked with and around for 3 decades need this and they don’t even know it. Or, most don’t… Anyway, welcome to Dead Drift Consulting.

JEREMY CHANG, XO/WEB DESIGN

Growing up in a hunting/military family, Jeremy was exposed to the outdoors and adventure at an early age. Spending most of his childhood in the midwest and Arizona Jeremy spent time fishing, camping, mountain biking, archery, anything that placed him in the woods, desert, or on a mountain. His developing passion for the outdoors has resulted in countless hours researching each activity and expanded his knowledge each day. Jeremy is intimately involved in daily operations and is the primary Web Designer. He is being trained to become one of Dead Drift Consulting's instructors and will be an integral part of every course offered.

Tyler Ellsworth, Instructor

Tyler enlisted in the army in 1996 where he served with the 2-2 infantry out of Vilseck Germany. He started his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Prescott Police Department. He is currently the Co-chair for the Sniper SME committee for Arizona Tactical Officers Association. He has been an active member of the Prescott SWAT team for 12 years, and is currently the sniper team leader and the team trainer. Tyler is an active instructor both professionally and personally and is a huge benefit to Dead Drift Consulting. He is a strong personal friend and the teaching chemistry is immediately apparent in any of DDC’s courses.

Tyler has hunted extensively in and around Arizona and he brings a vast amount of experience to the table. He lives in one of the most fertile areas of the state, teeming with wildlife and home to trophy Antelope where drawing a tag there represents an incredible investment and stroke of luck. His family is all local which provides a vast resource for him to advise on current conditions and locations.

Dead Drift Consulting is very proud to have Tyler involved and on staff. There are few better men able to do what we’re here to accomplish.