MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
DUANE GREGORY
Wilderness Readiness Instructor
Preparing people long before challenges arise.
With more than two decades of service in the United States Air Force as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) specialist, Duane Gregory has spent his career helping people prepare for difficult situations before they ever happen.
His passion for teaching, extensive operational experience, and commitment to developing resilient leaders make him an invaluable part of Woodsrunner School's instructional staff.
A LIFE DEDICATED TO PREPARATION
Experience Under Pressure
Some people learn resilience through books.
Others learn it through experience.
For more than twenty years, Duane served in the United States Air Force, specializing in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) and Personnel Recovery.
Throughout his military career, he trained service members to prepare for uncertainty, adapt under pressure, and make sound decisions when circumstances were at their worst.
That experience shaped more than his profession. It shaped the way he approaches teaching, leadership, and life.
WHY HE TEACHES
Preparedness Is a Mindset
Duane believes preparedness is about much more than learning outdoor skills.
It's about developing the mindset to remain calm, think clearly, prioritize what matters, and solve problems when conditions become difficult.
Whether in the wilderness or everyday life, those principles remain the same.
His goal is simple: help people become capable enough that confidence comes naturally.
WHAT HE BELIEVES
Principles That Guide His Instruction
Preparation begins long before it's needed.
Good decisions are built on sound principles.
Confidence grows through experience.
Resilience can be learned.
Every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
Great instructors never stop learning.
The strongest leaders help others become capable.
A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Understanding People as Well as the Outdoors
Duane's educational background reflects his passion for understanding both people and the outdoors.
His studies in Horticulture, Psychology, and Education allow him to combine wilderness knowledge with an understanding of how people learn, adapt, and respond under stress.
He also serves as a Department of Defense Certified Master Resilience Trainer, helping others develop the mental habits that allow them to overcome adversity with confidence.
His education continues every time he steps into the field.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Build Your Own Fire
Duane often speaks about helping people "build their own fire."
That philosophy goes far beyond making sparks.
It means helping students understand how to think through problems, establish priorities, and develop the confidence to solve challenges for themselves.
Rather than simply providing answers, he encourages students to ask questions, think critically, and apply what they've learned through meaningful experience.
Because when understanding replaces memorization, learning lasts.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Experience That Shapes the Work
Additional professional qualifications and certifications are available separately.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Where Confidence Begins to Grow
Duane enjoys helping people reconnect with the outdoors and discover confidence through experience.
Whether teaching wilderness readiness, discussing resilience around a campfire, or helping students work through challenging scenarios, his greatest satisfaction comes from seeing people realize they are capable of more than they believed possible.
Those moments are often where real learning begins.
LOOKING AHEAD
Preparedness Is a Lifelong Pursuit
Every course, every challenge, and every experience offers another opportunity to grow.
Duane's goal is to help students leave each Woodsrunner course with more than new knowledge.
He wants them to leave with greater confidence, stronger judgment, and a mindset that prepares them for whatever comes next.
UNTIL OUR PATHS CROSS
Preparation Begins Long Before the Moment It's Needed
Experience builds confidence.
Good judgment grows through thoughtful practice.
I look forward to meeting you in the woods.
— Duane Gregory