JACK
NEVILS
Mr. Nevils served 25 years in active military service, two years as an Airborne Ranger in the 1st Ranger Battalion, then 23 years in the Special Forces (Green Berets), serving in a variety of assignments in 7th and 3rd Special Forces Groups and the JFK Special Warfare Center and Schools. Mr. Nevils retired in early 2013 as a Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army.
During his career, he worked in numerous countries in South and Central America conducting Counter-Narcotics and Foreign Internal Defense missions. Mr. Nevils trained foreign Tier 1 hostage rescue units (Military and Police) in Close Quarters Combat, sniper operations, integrated assaults, and Military Free Fall operations (HALO) (Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mexico). Mr. Nevils also trained allied Police Units in Personnel Security Details (PSD) for high-level government officials.
Since the Global War on Terrorism, Mr. Nevils has deployed numerous times to the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa including combat action in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He trained, advised, and led the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Force on hundreds of urban counter terrorist’s operations throughout the country of Iraq in support of national objectives resulting in hundreds of enemy combatants removed from the battlefield. Mr. Nevils conducted a wide range of Special Operations activities in progressively greater roles of responsibility including: targeting in support of national objectives, human intelligence operations (HUMINT), unilateral direct action, and counter terrorism operations by, with, and thru indigenous forces.
Mr. Nevils was the Senior Trainer and Program Manager (NCOIC and Sergeant Major) for the Special Forces Hostage Rescue and Sniper Schools at Ft. Bragg, NC. During this time, he used his combat experiences to rewrite the Programs of Instruction and training methodologies for Close Quarters Combat including: combat marksmanship, single and multi-team operations, explosive, ballistic, and mechanical breaching, sniper integrated assaults, urban sniper operations, vehicle interdiction, vertical and linear assaults, and personnel handling (Combatives) to meet the emerging threats of today’s unconventional battlefield. Mr. Nevils has also developed curriculum for and taught integrated fighting personal protection courses for High Value Individuals and Government overseas singleton operators.
His military awards include the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Valor, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Master Freefall Badge, Special Forces Tab and the Ranger Tab.
Since retirement, Mr. Nevils continues to train Military Special Operations Forces in Advanced Pistol and Carbine, Close Quarters Battle, Intelligence Operations, and Sniper Operations. He has also returned to Iraq several times, as a civilian, to conduct rescue and resettlement operations for families trapped behind enemy lines. Mr. Nevils and his wife of over 30 years live in Texas with their two children.
MICHAEL
DONVITO
Michael is an expert in martial arts with over 30 years of experience across different arts. He has earned 10 black belts during that time; most notably, Michael is a 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu (BJJ) under Master Carlos Machado. He has run multiple training academies and served as Lead Instructor. Other martial arts experience includes Judo, multiple styles of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Ju Jutsu; as well as multiple styles of Karate and Kubodo.
During his time building expertise in martial arts, Michael simultaneously developed and expanded his expertise in close combat and related subject matter. For the last 20+ years, Michael’s primary dedication has been to training the US military. The majority of this time has been serving the US Special Forces and Special Tactics communities. He has served as the primary close combat Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Special Forces Qualifications “Q” Course and Special Tactics Training Squadron.
Michael has been working with Skallywag Tactical in different capacities across the last decade. As a consultant, he advises on the knife designs for the company and has personally developed 3 purpose-driven knives. Michael currently serves as the Training Director at Skallywag Tactical, running both virtual and live training events.
Michael’s broad skill sets and areas of expertise, coupled with his vast array of experience create the opportunity for others to learn, develop, and hone their skills in martial arts, close combat, and weapons handling.