Who I Am:

My name is Blake Flannery, and I am a 20 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) serving on active duty and retiring from service in 2021. I cut my teeth in the infantry as a Marine Rifleman and Scout in the unit Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) platoon, after which I took selection for 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. I then spent the next 17 years as a Force Recon Marine, serving in Force Reconnaissance companies in Camp Pendleton, California and Okinawa, Japan; a Reconnaissance Combat Instructor and Special Missions Branch also during that time. My military instructor time accumulated nearly eight years of formal schools instruction, including curriculum development for programs ranging from combat marksmanship, close quarters battle, and reconnaissance & surveillance.

Throughout my career I deployed multiple times to Iraq, across the southeast Pacific, eastern Europe, and a few points in-between. Seeing much of the world, seeing war and combat in different phases, assisting the national forces of ally and partner nations, and taking in the culture of many countries around the world has imparted a great deal of experience and wisdom. All of these experiences have imparted with me an ability to see things openly, objectively, and the patience to explain and break down concepts so that, no matter the audience, understanding is achieved.

Since retiring from the Marines, I have been working with Orion Training Group teaching firearms, the CQB continuum of programs, and developing the many other programs for small unit tactics. MTS exists in part because of Orion Training Group, and I’m proud to support the OTG mission and work with the amazing cadre. Shortly after leaving military service, I also began teaching specialized personnel within the United States Coast Guard (USCG) combat marksmanship and close quarters battle.

Who is Maneuver Training Solutions:

Though MTS was created primarily as the vessel through which I would work with Orion Training Group, I felt compelled to provide open enrollment training in the eastern Carolinas when I saw there was demand for it and a gap within the industry. Too many companies fall back onto rigid military or law enforcement doctrine, which focus on there only being “one way” to perform a given action. Through my experience this has proven both false and dangerous thinking, and I seek to provide students with the tools to open their minds and create deeper understanding of subjects. Additionally, I firmly believe in the rights of all Americans to be able to protect themselves, loved ones, and communities; be it from criminal actions or tyrannical enterprise.

MTS seeks to serve American citizens, to renew and rebuild the concept of the American rifleman. A person highly skilled in fieldcraft, marksmanship, and small unit tactics; a person of integrity and patriotism that seeks to better themselves and their community. All skill levels welcome, all walks of life welcome. I look forward to seeing you on the range.

Stay dangerous,

Blake “Blakewater” Flannery

CEO Maneuver Training Solutions, LLC

Official cadre/ Primary Instructor Orion Training Group, LLC