Our Team
Altonio Rivers
Owner
After serving in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years and receiving an Honorable Discharge, Altonio joined the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). As a Police Officer, he had multiple roles including Investigator within the Street Crimes Unit, Detective within the Violent Crimes Task Force, the Gang Unit, and a member of CMPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team for 13 years. In addition, he was a detective on the Human Trafficking Taskforce with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) focusing on sex and labor trafficking crimes. His career with CMPD span over 18 years. Altonio is also an NRA and USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor, NRA Range Safety Officer, and Simunitions and Force on Force Certified Instructor.
Nicole Thurman
Owner
Nicole is the co-owner of A+R Tactics, a baccalaureate RN, and a certified instructor in Firearms and Combatives. Her expertise includes teaching Self Protection, Combatives, Home Defense CQB, Active Shooter Training, and Civilian Trauma Response. Nicole holds belts in Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has participated in amateur fight competitions. As an RN, she has authored and taught Civilian Trauma Response Training curriculum extensively. Nicole’s qualifications include being an NRA and USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor, Simunitions Certified Instructor, NRA Range Safety Officer, Glock Armorer, Red Cross Certified Instructor, and TECC Trained. Nicole loves training firearms, BJJ, grappling, and combatives.