Jay Parnell, a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his role as an instructor at Tactical Self Rescue. Born and raised in Holyoke, Jay attended Holyoke Public Schools before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1992. During his thirteen years of active duty service, he served as a Security Policeman/Security Forces member, demonstrating his commitment to national security and public safety.
After leaving active duty, Jay continued his service with the Massachusetts Air National Guard, where he served as a Security Forces member and a Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) Instructor until his retirement in 2012. Throughout his twenty-year military career, Jay deployed three times in support of the Global War on Terror. As a CATM Instructor, he was responsible for training base personnel in the use of small arms to maintain mission readiness.
In 2002, Jay embarked on a parallel career in law enforcement, where he continues to serve today. His diverse experience in policing includes uniformed patrol, firearms training, and investigations. Jay is particularly proud of his work as a firearms and active shooter response instructor, where he trains both his department's officers and police recruits at the regional police academy. His dedication to preparing police recruits and veteran officers for the threats they face daily is a testament to his commitment to public safety.
Jay's qualifications and expertise include:
- ALERRT Certified Instructor in ALERRT Level I, Level II, Active Attack Integrated Response, and External Response to Active Shooter Events
- Certified state firearms instructor for law enforcement
- Certified armorer in multiple firearms platforms
- Planned and coordinated several large-scale, multi-agency, scenario-based exercises that included force on force and tactical medicine
Jay Parnell's extensive background in both military and law enforcement settings, coupled with his expertise in firearms training, makes him an invaluable asset to Tactical Self Rescue. His dedication to enhancing the skills and preparedness of those he trains ensures that individuals are better equipped to handle the challenges and threats they may encounter.
