About Us

What we do

At Amestratus, LLC, we firmly believe in the ethos of “Practical, not tactical.”

While numerous organizations provide tactical training – and excel in their niche – we believe in approaching security training from a holistic perspective, addressing real-world requirements. Rather than emphasizing solely on tactics, we prioritize teaching you practical skills to navigate any scenario you may encounter.

Yes, tactics are an integral part of the training we offer. However, our courses go beyond tactics to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to apply these tactics effectively in any given situation. We focus on instilling a core understanding of situational awareness, giving you the tools to identify, understand, and respond appropriately to your environment and any potential threats.

Our training is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure your safety, and that of your loved ones. Our commitment is to help you apply the tactical fundamentals we teach you in the most practical, effective manner. We prepare you for real-life scenarios, ensuring your security preparedness is as robust and responsive as possible.

Amestratus

“Established in 2013, Amestratus has dedicated itself to empowering the public through exceptional safety and security training. Our mission is to make high-quality instruction, typically reserved for Military, Law Enforcement, and Government Agencies, accessible to everyday people.

With Amestratus, you will gain invaluable tools for survival. Our comprehensive courses are designed to help you recognize and understand potential threats in a timely manner. We combine theoretical learning with practical exercises to equip you with the skills necessary to handle self-defense situations or violent encounters effectively.

At Amestratus, we believe in the power of self-reliance. We aim to educate you to be your own first responder, ready to protect your family and yourself when danger looms. We don’t just provide training; we instill confidence for a safer future.

Rocky

At Amestratus, LLC, we are proud to serve Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley with our comprehensive Personal Security Training expertise, drawn from an extensive background spanning more than four decades in military and civilian domains. As the leading provider of high-level security training, our commitment is to equip our clients with the necessary skills to recognize, react to, and mitigate Insider Threats and Active Shooter events. 

The experience and wisdom fueling our programs is embodied in our seasoned instructor, Thomas “Rocky” Mistretta. With over 30 years of dedicated service in the US Army, including more than 20 years in Special Forces and Special Mission Units, Rocky brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge to our training sessions. His global deployment track record, in support of the US Government and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) strategic and operational missions, has honed his expertise in security and threat management.

Post-retirement, Rocky’s commitment to public safety has led him to channel his vast experience into the training of civilians and government agencies. His instruction includes Situational Awareness and Insider Threat/Active Shooter training for esteemed entities such as the US SOCOM, the US Secret Service, the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, US Park Police, and DC Metro Police.

Today, Rocky continues his legacy of training by providing guidance to Special Operations Forces, various US Government Organizations, Law Enforcement agencies, and other select elements. He also extends his expertise to certain NATO and European Union nations, delivering instruction in Unconventional Warfare and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE). His professional focus remains on translating these high-level security programs into strategies that meet the specific requirements of the civilian sector, keeping in step with the latest security challenges to ensure the highest standards of safety and security.

Rocky’s diverse certifications include:

– US Army Instructor (H identifier): Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC), SERE, Small Unit Tactics, Surveillance/Surveillance Detection

– Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Instructor: Security Officer Core Subjects, Security Officer Armed – Arrest Authority, Security Officer Handgun, Shotgun, Advanced Firearms/Personal Protective Services, Private Investigator

– United States Concealed Carry Association Instructor: Concealed Carry & Fundamentals of Home Defense, Countering the Mass Shooter Threat, Women’s Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals, Range Safety Officer

– Law of Self Defense Certified Instructor

– Orbis Operations Instructor: Human Behavior Pattern Recognition & Analysis – Advanced Situational Awareness Training (ASAT), Special Operations Forces Situational Awareness Training (SOFSAT), Sexual Harassment & Assault Response and Prevention Situational Awareness Training (SHARPSAT). 

At Amestratus, we understand that time is a valuable asset. As such, our training sessions are designed to maximize efficiency without compromising on quality. We offer customizable training to meet your specific needs, ensuring that you emerge from our courses better-equipped and more prepared for potential security threats than ever before.

Amestratus, LLC is not merely a training institution; we are a partner in your personal and organizational security journey. Trust us to deliver unparalleled expertise and knowledge in security training, forged from decades of service in the toughest environments and honed for your safety and peace of mind.