Security Consultant Team Leader

JOSE A. MERCADO

*** ***** **** ****** • Arlington, Virginia 22204

719-***-**** • *********@*****.***

SECURITY CONSULTANT / MILITARY ADVISOR / MILITARY LOBBYIST

Seasoned security strategist and operations leader with over 20 years of frontline experience with the US Military, private contractors, and corporate security in the USA, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America. Former U.S. Special Forces Senior Weapons Operator with 5 combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan supported by a recognized aptitude for planning difficult operations. Deep expertise in training and advising foreign security troops and providing force protection at several US Embassies. Effective communication skills to provide clear and impactful briefings to military commanders, members of Congress and foreign leaders. Calm under pressure with the ability to work alone or make key contributions to specialized teams. Strong, decisive team leader.

Active US DOD Secret Security Clearance

Core Competencies:

Operational & Communications Planning • Global Security Liaison

Counter Surveillance Techniques • Personal Protective Security • Executive Protection

GPOI/ACOTA Training • Foreign Security Forces Training • POI Development

Conventional / Unconventional Warfare Tactics • Preparatory Military Training (PMT)

Interpreter Liaison • Surveillance & Reconnaissance • Team Leadership & Mentoring

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PAE, Arlington, VA • June 2020-Present

Medical Lead Planner / Logistician for Covid-19 Testing Sites across USA

Plan, establish and oversee all aspects of operations for Covid-19 testing sites for athletic programs at prestigious universities throughout the USA.

GPOI, Kigali, Rwanda / Burkina Faso • 2019-2020

Senior Trainer / Mentor

Conducted comprehensive training operations for Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).

SOC LLC, Iraq / Kurdistan • 2011-Present

Security Consultant - Baghdad, Iraq 2015-2017 & 2011-2012

Developed, advised and accompanied US Agency Officers on hundreds of missions and operations in diverse High Risk Countries. Conceived and implemented communications plans, counter surveillance techniques, surveillance detection routes, and E & E (Escape & Evade) plans.

Personally briefed high-ranking US officials including Congressmen and US Ambassadors on sensitive overseas US Missions and Operations.

Security Consultant – Kurdistan 2012-2014

Trained, accompanied and advised US Agency Officers on numerous Missions/Operations in high risk as well as permissive, post conflict countries and regions. Created communications plan, counter surveillance techniques, surveillance detection routes, and E & E plans.

Briefed Congressmen and US Ambassadors on sensitive overseas US missions and operations.

JOSE A. MERCADO • Page 2 • 719-***-**** • *********@*****.***

T & M PROTECTION SERVICES / DISCOVERY CHANNEL, Santa Elena, Venezuela • 2010

Security Advisor

Performed role of program manager of personnel, physical security and communications for Out Of The Wild, a Discovery Channel TV production in Venezuela. Worked closely with local police, military forces and the U.S. Consulate in Caracas in the setting of communications tower for Motorola radios, first aid, and physical security of a 70-person crew. Developed and provided instruction for personnel on basic survival and first aid skills.

Facilitated a medical emergency flight back to the U.S.A.

Negotiated with Brazilian officials to dismiss serious accusations regarding a Discovery Channel team member who accidentally crossed the border between Venezuela and Brazil.

MPRI ACOTA, Ghana • June 2010 - Dec 2010

Senior Instructor

Acted as Lead Instructor to a Ghanaian Signals Battalion and developed Program of Instruction (POI) on how to utilize several radios and radio procedures.

RIMI SECURITY COMPANY, New York, NY • June 2009 - May 2010

Executive Protection Agent

Provided Executive Protection to David Koch (9th Wealthiest Person in the World) and family in NYC and Palm Beach, Florida.

T & M PROTECTION SERVICES, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan • May 2009 - June 2009

Liaison Officer

Performed a special assignment in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan providing PSD/PSS (Personal Protective Security) and liaison between the US Embassy and a high profile company that supplies vital logistics including fuel to OEF/Afghanistan.

MPRI/ACOTA, Democratic Republic of Congo • January 2009 - May 2009

Senior Instructor

Played key role in establishing and instructing POI for an Infantry Battalion in the Democratic Republic of Congo covering basic infantry skills such marksmanship, move shoot and communicate, first aid, land navigation, survivability, and field expedient explosives. Acted as primary instructor for S3 Training / Operations, MDMP, and Ethics Reasoning.

US ARMY, 10TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP, USA / South America / Iraq / Afghanistan / Balkans / Morocco / Mali / Niger / Germany • May 1997 - May 2009

Special Forces NCO

Acted as Senior weapons sergeant on two Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA) teams. Utilized conventional and unconventional warfare tactics in support of global Special Forces operations. Provided training to detachment members and indigenous forces in weapons employment, marksmanship, close quarter combat, surveillance and reconnaissance, and defensive driving techniques. Developed and conducted numerous Preparatory Military Training (PMT) programs for Special Forces teams prior to 3 combat tours. Trained foreign soldiers in COIN operations. Performed Foreign Internal Defense (FID) Operations on 3 combat tours in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan. Acted as LNO for 10th Special Forces Group (A) during OIF IV.

Deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Georgia and numerous African nations

Participated in over 130 direct action missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a number of operational missions in Africa and the Balkans that resulted in the capture of numerous terrorists.

JOSE A. MERCADO • Page 3 • 719-***-**** • *********@*****.***

Special Forces NCO Continued...

Performed numerous instances of Close Target Reconnaissance (CTR), in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.

Advised the Commander and foreign force leaders on all matters concerning Special Operations, weapons, and tactical matters.

Trained professional soldiers in Morocco, Mali, and Niger.

Conducted airborne operations in Germany and Morocco.

Coordinated, trained, and led numerous indigenous forces in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East in numerous FID Operations.

Performed role of Primary instructor training soldiers in the Kingdom of Morocco, Mali, and Niger in BRM/CQB/Convoy Operations/CMMS.

Conducted numerous de-mining missions in the Balkans with both Bosnian and Serbian factions.

instructed a US de-mining squad in the recovery and destruction of minefields/bunkers.

Provided security for high-ranking personnel in austere and highly volatile environments.

Received training in Sniper courses, close quarter battle, surveillance and reconnaissance, combatives, field expedient explosives, unassisted asset recovery and live tissue training.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in General Studies

NOVA Southeastern, Annandale, Virginia

TRAINING

TDC - S course, SPT U.S. Government Agency, June 2017

Completed /qualified on TCCC, SPT U.S. Government Agency, June 2017

ITI High Risk Driving, ITI, 2017

Close Quarters Defense (CQD) Level 3, SPT US Government Agency, 2011

JFK Special Warfare Training Center, USASOC, March 2003

Special Forces Qualification Course (Weapons Sergeant), USASOC, September 2002

Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape, High Risk Level C, USASOC, December 2002

Sniper School NATO International Special Training Center, Germany, NATO School Germany, 2008

Sapper School (explosives training), US Army, June 2000

Level 2/3 MSO Training, USASOC, April 2007

Broken Axel, USASOC, January 2007

Gryphon Group Tactical Driving Course, 2006

Special tactical Services Defensive Driving Course, ITI, 2012

DARC-1 Unassisted Asset Recovery Training, 2006

Army Combatives Course, US Army, 2007

SFAUC (Special Forces Advanced Urban Course), Parachute Training, ANCOC, BNCOC,

and numerous other Infantry courses, USASOC, 2001-2003

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

US Senate Lobbyists / NATO Community

Special Forces Association / Global Special Forces Group

LANGUAGES

Fluent in English and Spanish / Conversational French & Portuguese / Basic Russian

Russian Language Immersion Certificate: John F. Kennedy School of Unconventional Warfare

COMPUTER SKILLS

MS Excel, Word & Power Point

JOSE A. MERCADO

819 South Orme Street • Arlington, Virginia 22204

719-***-**** • *********@*****.***

[NAME]

[JOB TITLE]

[COMPANY]

[CONTACT INFORMATION]

Dear Sir/Dear Madam,

Being a strategy-driven senior security operations leader with over 20 years of frontline experience with the US Military, private contractors, and corporate security in the USA, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America, I am now seeking to use my seasoned skills in a (JOB BEING APPLIED FOR) position.ost challenging

Having a deep U.S. Special Forces Senior Weapons Operator background and strong expertise in training and advising foreign security troops supported by an aptitude for planning challenging operations, I believe I can help you to achieve your most challenging security related objectives.

Possessing engaging interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with security teams and deliver impactful briefings to military commanders, Members of Congress and foreign leaders, I have been able to consistently deliver successful outcomes for numerous global security initiatives.

A sample of my skills and contributions includes:

Active US DOD Secret Security Clearance.

Conducting comprehensive training operations for Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).

Developing, advising and accompanying US Agency Officers on hundreds of missions and operations in diverse High Risk Countries.

Personally briefing high-ranking US officials including Congressmen and US Ambassadors on sensitive overseas US Missions and Operations.

Performing role of program manager of personnel, physical security and communications for Out Of The Wild, a Discovery Channel TV production in Venezuela.

Providing Executive Protection to David Koch (9th Wealthiest Person in the World) and family in NYC and Palm Beach, Florida.

Participating in over 130 direct action missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a number of operational missions in Africa and the Balkans that resulted in the capture of numerous terrorists.

Performing numerous instances of Close Target Reconnaissance (CTR), in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.

Advising the Commander and foreign force leaders on all matters concerning Special Operations, weapons, and tactical matters.

Training professional soldiers in Morocco, Mali, and Niger.

For a more detailed presentation of my skills and background, please review the enclosed resume and feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forward to your call.

Sincerely,

Jose A. Mercado

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