Regardless of where we live, crime is prevalent and is an unfortunate reality that cannot be avoided. Crime is a predatory act that involves street offenses, sexual assaults, robberies, aggravated assault, kidnapping and in extreme cases even homicide. A person who has been a victim of a crime goes through a lot of pain and suffering, and the violence can have an adverse effect on their mental and physical well-being. A crime can not only have a negative impact on the victim but on society and the community as a whole. A criminal act can lead to disabilities, injuries and even death, so it is necessary for a person to be aware of the threats in the environment and should learn techniques of self-defense and protection. In order to counter the threats in the environment, one should be fully prepared and should take charge of their own security and safety.
In order to provide education and training for self-defense, and to create awareness of such crimes, Gregory Mark Vecchi, a trainer, consultant, professor and author has laid the foundation of his company Vecchi Group International LLC, which provides training and consultation services in the fields of martial arts, threat assessment, gunfighting, firearms, behavioral analysis, crisis negotiation and defensive tactics. Vecchi was born in Des Moines, Iowa on 4th February 1964 to his parents Theresa Francis Tomiser and Marcellus Leo Vecchi. He went to Windsor Elementary School and later joined St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic School in Des Moines, Iowa.
In 1982, he finished his high school at Dowling Catholic High School, West Des Moines, Iowa and in 1984 he received his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology from Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny. While serving the U.S. Army, he graduated in 1991 from Park University, Parkville, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Human Resources. He then enrolled in a Master’s program at the University of Alabama, from where he completed a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Though he was working as a FBI Agent, that didn’t stop Vecchi’s quest to gain more knowledge and expertise in the field, and so he got into Nova Southeastern University to acquire a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
He is now recognized by the court as an expert in violence, law enforcement procedures and policies, interrogation and interviewing, and confirmation bias. He served in law enforcement for more than thirty years and also served as a career crisis negotiator, supervisory Special Agent and Chief of the FBI Behavioral Science Unit before his retirement. In his illustrious 30-year-long career, Vecchi gained a lot of experience through interacting and assessing violent criminals, which he uses in his consultation, research and training. Vecchi is a professor and teaches courses in criminology, conflict resolution, behavioral analysis, crisis negotiation, crisis management, criminal justice and threat assessment, and also provides training for defense against aggressive people, firearms and tactical communications.
Vecchi has received many awards for his contributions for the welfare of society which include Bruno Callieri Award, the International Institute of Criminological and Forensic Psychopathological Sciences (2018), the Thomas Jefferson Award, University of Virginia, Charlottesville (2010), Faculty Community-Based Applied Research Grant Excellence in Research Scholarship Award by Quality-of-Life Council, Nova Southeastern University (2009), Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award (2007), Jim Elmore Scholarship Award by Graduate School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Nova Southeastern University (2002), President’s Faculty Scholarship Award 2002-2003 For Excellence in Research and Scholarship by Nova Southeastern University (2002) and Jim Elmore Scholarship Award in Graduate School of Humanities & Social Sciences by Nova Southeastern University (2000).
Vecchi, through his company, has provided people with a platform from where they can learn self-defense and threat assessment techniques. Possessing the ability to protect oneself against violence and crime boosts self-confidence and increases self-esteem. These techniques will not only help a person protect himself but others as well.
