About
Rogue Protection Group is a veteran operated business that provides superior personal protection education, security assessment services, and seminars covering situation awareness, communication, and industry specific security education.
Our educators are highly experienced in both military-security and civilian-security operations and are NRA Instructor and DPSST Law Enforcement certified.
Kelly Sparlin
Kelly is a highly accomplished and internationally licensed instructor with 24 years of experience in military, law enforcement, and private security training. His career began with 12 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Navy, where he operated within the Special Operations Dive Community. Following his military tenure, Kelly transitioned into the private sector, where he has since provided, managed, and trained security personnel for numerous companies worldwide.
For the past 11 years, Kelly has served as the Training Director for Rogue Protection Group, where he has played a key role in shaping elite security professionals. In this role, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and managerial abilities, overseeing training programs, developing curriculum, and ensuring that security personnel meet the highest industry standards. His strategic decision-making and operational oversight have contributed to the organization's growth and reputation for excellence. Kelly has also been responsible for coordinating large-scale security operations, managing teams in high-pressure environments, and ensuring seamless execution of security protocols.
His expertise has made him a sought-after public speaker, presenting on the science of situational awareness at various venues. His ability to communicate complex security concepts in an engaging and accessible manner has made a lasting impact on audiences ranging from corporate professionals to law enforcement agencies.
Kelly’s global perspective began at an early age. As a missionary kid, he traveled the world from a young age, experiencing diverse cultures and gaining an understanding of the complexities of international environments. This early exposure to different ways of life laid the foundation for his passion for service, security, and leadership.
With over 20 years of martial arts experience, Kelly has trained in multiple disciplines, honing his skills in both traditional and modern combat techniques. His dedication to martial arts has not only enhanced his effectiveness as a security professional but has also reinforced his commitment to discipline, self-control, and continuous learning. After separating from the Navy, he spent two years in Japan training directly under Grand Master Masaaki Hatsumi, deepening his expertise and refining his approach to combat and self-defense. He further expanded his knowledge by graduating from CRI, a world-renowned counterterrorism training school specializing in Israeli counterterrorism and shooting methodologies.
Kelly’s extensive career has taken him to over 90 countries, where he has worked in diverse and high-risk environments. His commitment to security excellence extended to the state level, where he served for four years as a member of Oregon’s armed and unarmed subcommittees, helping to shape security policies and standards.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Kelly is a dedicated family man. He and his wife share a blended family with seven children, ranging in age from 24 to 11. Above all, Kelly loves Jesus and strives to serve Him in everything he does. His faith guides his personal and professional life, influencing the way he leads, teaches, and supports others. Balancing his demanding career with his devotion to God and family, he remains passionate about mentoring others and sharing his extensive knowledge in security, situational awareness, and tactical training. His ability to lead, manage, and inspire—both in the field and at home—reflects his dedication to excellence in all aspects of life.
Mr. Swartz is a 31 year Army Veteran, enlisted and officer in conventional infantry, medical, and special forces units. His multiple deployments include the Middle East, Central America, Eastern Europe, SE Asia, Bangladesh and North America. He holds degrees in Nursing, Medicine, and Counterinsurgency, and pioneered multiple established techniques in austere medicine. Mike teaches classes all over the world in disaster and austere medicine, and is RPG's medical instructor.
Dustin Hagglund (Currently Deployed)
Mr. Hagglund enlisted into the USMC in 2008, and is still serving today as an Infantry Squad Leader in the Oregon National Guard. Dustin has been on two deployments to Afghanistan (once with the USMC and once with the National Guard). He gained valuable training through the 22nd Marine Expeditionary unit by conducting operations in various countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He is currently working as a Tactical Training and Compliance Officer for a security company and long range instructor at RPG.
Schools and Certifications include: Pathfinder, Air Assault, Advanced Infantry Machine Guns Leaders Course, Combat Hunter Course, Warriors Leaders Course, SOTG, MEU(SOC), Infantry Small Unit Tactics, Terrorism Awareness, Armed DPSST, and Pepperball Instructor.
Ben Studebaker
Ben Studebaker was a member of the United States Airforce for six years from 97-03. As a Master S.E.R.E. Instructor he helped train thousands of High Risk of Capture Personnel in Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape. He personally administered over 3000 hours of Interrogation during his time teaching techniques in resisting Interrogation and exploitation from the enemy. Upon separating from Federal service he started a Private Investigations business back home in Southern Oregon where he was an owner/operator serving private clients and Insurance companies. By 2004 He took on another title with a then, small security company named BlackWater. His calm mind, cool nerves and mastery of marksmanship enabled him to participate in Personal Security Details (PSD) for the US State Department, Government Agencies and private clients. He spent a lot of time in both Iraq and Afghanistan living in austere and non-permissive environments. Being a family man, he desired to seek employment stateside and be around his children. He was hired shortly thereafter with the Oregon State Police as a patrol officer. By 2009 he returned back to his old teams overseas and spent the next year and a half with them before returning home and taking a full medical retirement. Over the years of contracting, Ben Studebaker garnered a BS in Workplace Education, Training and Development from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Once he retired from contracting, his education was utilized to consult with startup manufacturing companies in developing curriculum and standard operating procedures. Currently, given his training, experience and silent professionalism, Rouge Protection Group took him onto their team of staff members as a consultant in Firearm training and Security Details. His ability to read the student and administer individualized training has made him an important part of the team of Instructors with Rogue Protection Group.