THE GUERRILLA MENTOR

Guerrilla is a Spanish word that roughly translates to “little war.” Its indication of diminutive scale doesn’t apply to the size of the battle, but rather to the size of the fighting force — a small unit up against a large opposition. In modern context, this type of imbalance is often referred to as asymmetric warfare, and its significance has been proven in countless conflicts throughout history, from the Global War on Terror to the American Civil War. Each instance has reinforced a single lesson: never underestimate the effectiveness of a small, highly motivated group of fighters.

Timothy Lacy has accrued a wealth of experience in the field of small-unit tactics. While enlisted in the U.S. Army, he served in a Scout Platoon and frequently led reconnaissance missions into enemy-controlled terrain. Later, he switched to a role in law enforcement, where he surveilled gang members and drug dealers. Lacy also spent 13 years working as a private security contractor, protecting VIPs in warzones and training indigenous militia and police forces to defend against insurgents.

Rather than settle quietly into retirement, Lacy eventually returned to his home state of Arizona and applied his skills to a new mission. In 2014, he founded Guerrilla Mentor to teach ordinary Americans about the value of small-unit tactics. Members of our staff have already attended two of his courses, Rural Reconnaissance (featured in Issue 41) and Hostile Encounters (review coming soon). Each class reinforced individual survival skills, including shooting, movement, navigation, observation, and planning. The curriculum also demonstrated the challenges of delegating tasks, communicating, and accomplishing objectives with a tight-knit group.

Despite his imposing resume, Lacy doesn’t fit the gruff soldier stereotype. He’s a soft-spoken family man whose kids