Duane Gregory brings over 20 years of dedicated service in the United States Air Force as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) specialist, where he has honed expertise in preparing individuals to thrive in the most challenging environments.

 

As a Master Instructor and subject matter expert in Survival and Personnel Recovery, he has trained countless service members to navigate crises with resilience and precision.

 

His journey into this field was ignited by a profound sense of purpose following the events of September 11, 2001, inspired by veteran family members and friends who exemplified commitment to a greater cause. This path not only equipped him with life-saving skills but also fostered values of integrity, perseverance, and dedicated effort, transforming him into the person he aspired to become.

 

Holding degrees in Horticulture and Psychology, along with a Master's in Education, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to survival training, integrating psychological resilience with practical wilderness skills. As a Department of Defense-certified Master Resilience Trainer, he emphasizes the mental fortitude required to overcome adversity, drawing from real-world experiences in diverse global settings.

 

At Woodsrunner School, he guides students in mastering self-reliance through hands-on instruction in bushcraft, primitive skills, and wilderness medicine, simulating authentic scenarios to build confidence and capability.

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His philosophy centers on enabling others to "build their own fire". He does this by helping others prioritize their thoughts and actions based on the foundational needs of a survivor. These act as principles that extend beyond the wilderness into everyday life.

 

By empowering others to reconnect with nature and their inner strength, he aims to revive essential skills that promote growth, character, and preparedness in an increasingly complex world.