ABOUT US
Who We Are
The American Crisis Institute is a U.S.-based training and certification organization focused on preparing leaders to operate effectively in high-stakes, high-uncertainty environments.
We work at the intersection of crisis management, intelligence-informed decision-making, and operational leadership. Our programs are built on real-world experience from environments where errors carry consequences — reputational, operational, and human.
Our mission is to train and certify a new generation of leaders who can maintain clarity, judgment, and accountability under pressure — whether in corporate crises, security-sensitive roles, or complex operational environments.
We do not teach theory for its own sake. We translate hard-earned operational experience into practical frameworks leaders can apply when decisions matter most.
Our Story
The American Crisis Institute was founded by a group of professionals with backgrounds in special forces, intelligence, and high-stakes operations. What began as a circle of trusted colleagues and friends grew into a mission: to share the hard-won lessons of crisis leadership with those who need them most.
Some of us continue to serve on the front lines, others have transitioned into corporate leadership, and many still combine both worlds — stepping into missions when called, while mentoring and training the next generation of crisis leaders.
We’ve seen firsthand how quickly chaos unfolds — and how calm, decisive action can save lives, protect organizations, and turn the tide. Our goal is simple: to prepare leaders, companies, and individuals to stay resilient, decisive, and effective under fire.
At its core, the American Crisis Institute is built on friendship, trust, and a shared belief that the skills forged in extreme environments shouldn’t stay locked in elite units — they should empower anyone who chooses to lead.
Leadership & Instructors
Founder
& Senior Advisor
Dr. Jochen Schwenk
Dr. Jochen Schwenk is the author of Resilience Under Fire and a contributor to Forbes, where he writes on risk, intelligence, and crisis leadership.
He holds a doctoral degree in Strategic Intelligence and Security Studies, complementing his operational background with academic research.
His advisory work focuses on high-stakes decision-making: he has advised executive teams of global companies through supply-chain disruptions, insolvency scenarios, and periods of geopolitical stress - environments where discretion is a condition of the work, and judgment is the product.
He founded the American Crisis Institute (ACI), to translate decision-making methods tested in high-consequence environments into frameworks professionals can actually train.
Senior Instructor
Protection & Applied Security
Tom Madsen
Tom Madsen is a founding member of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the founder of Krav Maga Survival, and a contributor to Forbes on security, resilience, and performance under pressure.
His instructional approach is shaped by operational work in protection environments where the margin for error is zero — which is why his training is built for real-world conditions, not controlled scenarios.
At ACI, Tom translates protection principles that work at operational grade into training for professionals who carry responsibility without carrying a weapon.
Senior Advisor
Protective Doctrine & Intelligence
E.L.
Identity withheld due to the nature of his work
E.L. has built his career in senior roles within national security and intelligence environments, including work on protection and training standards developed at government level.
He operates under active non-disclosure obligations to the institutions he has served — the standard condition of work at this level, and the reason his name does not appear here. His identity and background have been verified directly by the founders of ACI.
At ACI, E.L. is responsible for protective doctrine: ensuring that what is taught here reflects how these decisions are actually made — not how they are described in books.
What Makes the American Crisis Institute Different
Operational doctrine, not academic theory
Our methodology is built on real operational experience, not classroom abstractions.
Designed by people who operated under real pressure
Our instructors have worked in environments where judgment, timing, and discretion are non-negotiable.
Built for leaders, not hobbyists
Our programs are designed for individuals carrying responsibility — for teams, organizations, and outcomes.
Certification before expansion
We prioritize depth, standards, and accountability over rapid scaling or mass enrollment.
Who the Crisis Operator Program Is Designed For
Close Protection Officers
Special Forces Candidates & Veterans
Intelligence Personnel
Private Citizens committed to preparedness and leadership
Whether you’re on the frontlines or planning for your family's safety, the Crisis Operator™ program is built to equip you.