The Todd Group has the longest history as a private specialist training provider of European military self-defence and European military close quarters combat not only to the military but also to responsible civilian enthusiasts.
While we have a responsibility to do our utmost to ensure we recruit responsible law-abiding citizens of integrity our vetting process does not prejudice responsible domestic or international applicants.
Our training provision globally includes to law enforcement military personnel close protection specialists and wide ranging security industry personnel as well as practical realist civilians wanting to be trained in the most current of our military self-defence and military close quarter combat skills.
The recruiting ethos is not about mass recruiting but is about recruiting those with the practical smarts and inner resolve wanting to increase their self-protection capabilities.
Training exponents and instructors of wide ranging ethnicities from all over the world for over nine decades has established a global network of individuals that have identified themselves as being committed to CQC.
Vetting for contract courses is easy with services agencies and organisations having completed internal vetting of their personnel.
With military self-defence and military close quarters combat being considerably different in relation to objective achievement and the means and methods of threat neutralisation, increased level of vetting checks and clearances is often required.
Having people of different cultures, religions, beliefs and races on courses is beneficial for increased knowledge and understanding of others.
It really comes down to kindred spirits that are responsible individuals of high integrity thriving in the environment where all are equal.
On the annual Australasian course 2019 an exponent of the Muslim faith was asked to address the course in the wake of the Christchurch massacre.
This young man spoke clearly and calmly conveying that he knew the actions of the individual responsible for the Christchurch massacre were that of one person and not the masses.
To all in attendance it was apparent of his strength of faith and good character.
While all of us were appalled at the cowardly actions taken against people of faith in their place of worship, listening to this young man one could only feel respect for his strength of faith and calm demeanour in the aftermath of such a terrible act of senseless violence.
Conducting courses internationally and attracting exponents from around the world provides an excellent opportunity to learn of others countries and cultures and this develops strong connections with others through CQC.
Conducting combined military personnel and civilian courses of instruction is another unique form of training provision of the Todd Group that provides many benefits including cross-fertilisation of tactics skills as well as training methods and means.
Exponents bring to the course different levels of competency and commitment as well as skill factors and their training together is a positive development experience.
Some civilians through undertaking thousands of hours of training have achieved high level skills capabilities while others demonstrate superior physicality.
Training with others that possess greater strengths and weaknesses only enhances all willing and committed exponent’s and phase testing volunteers.
The most important ingredient to make this work is that all in attendance have same or similar interests and are committed to not only their individual self-improvement but also to their fellow exponent’s competency achievement.
Training the military CQC way fosters not only the importance of strengthening the individual but also establishing a close group mentality one for all and all for one in the pursuit of CQC excellence.
Exponents on courses get to know each other living CQC on intensive courses of instruction and this develops an understanding of how others live.
Mil CQC training neither favours or prejudices anyone on course and all exponents are treated as equals and expected to conduct themselves in a responsible controlled manner.
Individuals earn respect through their attitude and actions on courses especially under training adversity and testing where the modus operandi is proving oneself under hard, heavy and hostile testing regimes.
Course camaraderie is part of exponents bonding and developing what I call individual unitism, meaning the ability to be a strong minded, willing and capable individual that can equally combine as part of a course of like-minded pers to maximise the chances of the entire courses advancement achievement outcomes.
Todd Group CQC training provision crosses all boundaries of ethnicity, culture and religious belief bringing together good lads and lasses in an environment of course closeness where everyone is a part of the collective course.
Mil CQC must incorporate brutally ruthless realism in skills and a controlled aggressive mentality in threat neutralisation.
It comes with profanities and some colourful verbiage especially for the enemy party preparing for and under testing.
Exponents can expect bastardisation and a right old verbal tongue lashing when character adjustment and skills errors need to be addressed and this all adds to the culture and unique status of mil CQC training and testing.
Its never anything personal it’s just a tool to bring out the best in exponents and ensure they understand the errors and shortcomings of their ways and fix them immediately.
Developing an uncompromising tough mentality under the realities of combative adversity develops strength of character and aids in the development of mental toughness that is more important than the physical skills.
Providing an environment of practical realism where conducting oneself in a PC manner must be left behind during training develops the individual combatants required physicality and mental toughness attributes.
There is no prejudice on our courses however little is sacred when it comes to the hard cases on courses and their wicked sense of humour.
Friendships for life are forged through course attending and a higher understanding of other cultures ethnicities, religions and beliefs is achieved.
Todd Group members have a respect for others and for the chain of command following orders and instructions with attention to detail and high level objective achievement commitment.
They must have a respect for humanity and conduct themselves with humility in the pursuit of CQC advancement.
This respect for others extends to the environment and wildlife as a result of instructing wildlife protection anti-poaching and anti-trafficking courses of instruction.
Todd Group courses require civilian attendees to complete CQC code of conduct contracts and abide by course joining conditions and regulations.
They must be quietly confident respectful individuals conducting themselves with integrity and responsibility on and off course.
They are made well aware that training in military CQC is a privilege and not a given right and requires high level integrity and responsibility.
Instructing such a brutally effective decisive tradecraft as military CQC comes with considerable responsibilities and the Todd Group thoroughly understand the importance of ensuring exponent’s receive positive affirmative indoctrination and training in the importance of conducting oneself as a respectful law-abiding citizen.
There is no place for undesirables or unsafe individuals on Todd Group courses of instruction.
Our rank-and-file do not want to train with or associate with those that aren’t of high integrity and responsibility.
Setting and maintaining the highest standards not only of these tradecraft skills but also of integrity and responsibility is a responsibility of Todd Group HQ and this is a responsibility we take very seriously.
Our stringent vetting and course conducting codes of conduct are what add to the special and unique training experience of our courses and develop comradeship self-respect and a respect for others.
