Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Brown.
Hi Ken, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story really started when I joined the U.S. Army Infantry. I wanted to challenge myself and be part of something bigger than myself. During my time in the Army, I deployed to Iraq where I gained experience in security operations, convoy security, route reconnaissance, and protecting personnel in high-risk environments. Those experiences taught me discipline, accountability, and how to make sound decisions under pressure. One experience that has always stayed with me was identifying a potential VBIED along one of our convoy routes, which allowed us to reroute and avoid what could have been a catastrophic situation.
After leaving the military, I continued building my career in security. I worked in surveillance and counter-surveillance operations, supported specialized military training, and later deployed back to Iraq with Triple Canopy. There I served as a Shift Leader responsible for protecting U.S. Embassy personnel and other high-profile individuals. My responsibilities included advance work, risk assessments, mission planning, and leading protective teams in a complex, high-threat environment. That experience reinforced that preparation, communication, and teamwork are what make security operations successful. I was honored to receive recognition from the U.S. Department of State for my work there.
Since then, my career has evolved beyond simply performing security work. I founded Liberation Firearms Training and Liberation Security Group because I wanted to build organizations centered on professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. Today I oversee security contracts, develop training programs, mentor officers, and work directly with clients to identify risks and implement effective security solutions. While I still enjoy being in the field, I also take pride in developing people and building teams that can perform at a high level.
Throughout my career I’ve worked in combat zones, executive protection, surveillance, investigations, loss prevention, youth leadership, and security management. Those experiences have given me the ability to adapt quickly, remain calm under pressure, and build trust with people from many different backgrounds.
At this point in my career, I’m looking for an opportunity where I can contribute my operational experience while continuing to grow professionally. I enjoy solving complex security problems, protecting people, and being part of a team that values integrity, professionalism, and mission success. That’s what has driven me throughout my career, and it’s what continues to motivate me today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely wasn’t a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges in my life came after I returned home from working overseas in executive protection. For years, I operated in high-threat environments where every day had a clear mission, everyone depended on each other, and your decisions had real consequences. That environment becomes part of who you are.
Coming home was much harder than I expected. I had to relearn how to live a “normal” life. I struggled to connect with people who couldn’t relate to what I’d experienced, and I found myself missing the sense of purpose, camaraderie, and responsibility that came with the job. I also had to learn that the intensity and urgency that served me well overseas didn’t always fit in everyday life. That created challenges in my personal relationships and forced me to grow as a person.
Around that same time, I made the decision to build something of my own. Starting a business brought a completely different set of obstacles—financial uncertainty, long hours, setbacks, and learning how to lead outside of a high-threat environment. There were times I questioned whether I was making the right decisions, but I kept moving forward.
Looking back, those experiences became some of the most valuable lessons of my life. They taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of adapting. Today, I don’t define success by the environments I’ve worked in; I define it by the people I lead, the trust I build, and the positive impact I can have on others. Those challenges made me a stronger leader, a better communicator, and a more grounded person.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While my foundation comes from military service and executive protection, what I’m most passionate about today is what we’ve built at Liberation Firearms Training and Liberation Security Group.
Our vision was never to simply open another gun store or shooting range. We set out to create the premier firearms, security, and professional training center in Central Oregon. Today, we operate Central Oregon’s only facility that combines a federally licensed firearms dealership (FFL), an indoor public shooting range, firearm rentals, Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL) courses, DPSST Armed and Unarmed certification programs, professional security training, and the MILO Range simulator under one roof.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve built more than a business—we’ve built a place where responsible citizens, security professionals, law enforcement, military personnel, and first-time firearm owners can all train in a safe, professional environment. We don’t just teach people how to shoot. We teach judgment, accountability, decision-making, communication, and the mindset required to perform under pressure.
My military and executive protection experience shaped the foundation of our programs, but today my focus is on leading the organization, developing instructors, mentoring security professionals, consulting with businesses on security solutions, and continuously expanding what we can offer our community. Every new program we introduce is designed to solve a real problem and raise the standard for training in our industry.
What sets me apart is that I combine real-world operational experience with the ability to build organizations and develop people. I’ve worked in combat environments, executive protection, surveillance, investigations, and leadership, but I’ve also learned how to build systems, create training programs, and lead teams that continue to grow beyond any one individual. I enjoy taking complex problems and turning them into practical solutions that make people and organizations safer.
Looking ahead, my vision is to continue expanding Liberation into Oregon’s premier security consulting, protective services, and firearms training organization. Whether we’re preparing someone for their first firearm, certifying a security professional, or helping an organization improve its security posture, our mission remains the same: to raise the standard of training, professionalism, and preparedness throughout our community.
What matters most to you?
My long-term goal is to build Liberation Training Academi (LTA) into one of the premier security, firearms, and leadership training organizations in the country.
While we currently operate Liberation Firearms Training and Liberation Security Group, LTA represents something much bigger than a business. It’s my vision of creating a place where responsible citizens, security professionals, law enforcement, military personnel, and first responders can come together to train, develop, and grow throughout their careers. I want LTA to become a center for excellence where training is realistic, professional, and focused on developing good judgment, leadership, and accountability—not just technical skills.
Beyond the training itself, my greatest passion is creating opportunities for the next generation. I coach youth football, sponsor youth sports, and spend a lot of time working with young athletes because I believe sports teach many of the same values that make great leaders: discipline, teamwork, resilience, accountability, and confidence. I want those same principles to become part of LTA’s culture.
My vision is to create pathways for young people, veterans, and those looking for a career in security or public safety. Whether someone wants to become a security professional, law enforcement officer, responsible firearm owner, or simply develop confidence and leadership skills, I want LTA to provide that opportunity.
Professionally, I want to continue growing as a leader by working alongside other experienced security professionals and bringing those lessons back into our organization. Every opportunity I have to learn, lead, and solve complex security challenges ultimately makes LTA stronger and allows me to better serve our students, our employees, and our community.
At the end of my career, I don’t want my legacy to be the contracts I won or the titles I held. I want it to be the people whose lives were changed because they trained with us, worked for us, or found a career and purpose through Liberation Training Academy. If I can build an organization that continues creating those opportunities long after I’m gone, then I’ll consider my career a success.
Pricing:
- Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Course – Starting at $64.95
- DPSST Armed & Unarmed Certification Courses – unarmed is 225 armed is 425-545
- Private Firearms Instruction – Starting at $131/hour
- Indoor Range Memberships & Firearm Rentals – Multiple membership options available
- Security Consulting, Executive Protection, Physical Security Assessments & Corporate Training – Custom solutions and pricing based on organizational needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liberationft.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberationft
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liberationft
- Other: Group@liberationft.com
