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"You have zero, none, nada, no experience. Or, you have some experience. Maybe you have gobs of experience. It doesn't matter. Not to Byron."
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Laurence Gonzales, author of the book, Deep Survival, says this:
"As I caught my first glimpse of our instructor, Byron Kerns, he swaggered toward us wearing an 18-inch machete, a big, macho looking guy. He had worked at the famous USAF Survival School in the state of Washington. When I saw him, I thought: We're in for it now. Byron turned out to be soft-spoken, polite, cheerfully earnest, and gentle to a fault. He moved slowly, never hurried, and was always carefully assessing himself and his environment. He wasn't prone to high emotional states. He carried with him a contagious air of calm. Even after a lifetime in the wilderness, Kerns entered the woods with a deep sense of respect, like a man approaching an unpredictable creature."
"As I caught my first glimpse of our instructor, Byron Kerns, he swaggered toward us wearing an 18-inch machete, a big, macho looking guy. He had worked at the famous USAF Survival School in the state of Washington. When I saw him, I thought: We're in for it now. Byron turned out to be soft-spoken, polite, cheerfully earnest, and gentle to a fault. He moved slowly, never hurried, and was always carefully assessing himself and his environment. He wasn't prone to high emotional states. He carried with him a contagious air of calm. Even after a lifetime in the wilderness, Kerns entered the woods with a deep sense of respect, like a man approaching an unpredictable creature."
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Byron Kerns
Chief Instructor He's got the pedigree and it's backed with decades of experience. As a former Air Force Survival (SERE) Instructor, most would think Byron would be hard-charging and stern. Those who receive his teachings experience a completely different person: an instructor that is caring, humble, protective, serious - yet fun, passionate, emotional, and full of crazy stories. For the past 24-years, Byron has provided teachings to more than 800 small groups: people from all walks of life - an elite Navy SEAL Team, doctors, lawyers, business owners, pilots, teachers, law enforcement, rescue personnel, fire fighters, and Homeland Security to name a few. He has spent so many nights in the woods that he has lost count. Byron's years of experience and nights in the woods have weathered him into a much-desired instructor. |
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Emmitt Wakefield
Senior Instructor One of the most trusted men Byron has ever had the privilege of working with in the wilderness. For more than seven years, Emmitt has been Byron's understudy - learning the in's and out's of the school, as well as the business. Learning the skills associated with wilderness survival. Learning how to teach the skills. And, most importantly, learning leadership and proper small group behavior. His assistance, humor, teaching prowess, and his congeniality make Emmitt a strong asset to the students and the school. Not only is he a skilled outdoorsman and instructor, but he is also a tremendous photographer. Together, Byron and Emmitt provide a fun and safe wilderness experience. |
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Kelley Arthur
Corporate Affairs & Marketing She is the school's magician - keeping Byron and Emmitt on-point and on-mission. Her ideas are future-fresh, her computer skills over-the-top. Superb are her wilderness skills - as expected, being married to Byron. Whether keeping the data base current, planning corporate strategies, or assisting in bringing a 'special project' to fruition, she is invaluable to the school's continued success. |