About ITAC
Founded by a former Israeli Special Forces officer, ITAC Academy provides professional firearms, tactical, medical, and security training programs for individuals, security personnel, organizations, schools, and private groups across California.
Our mission is to deliver practical, real-world training focused on preparedness, safety, mindset, and performance under stress. We believe training should go beyond basic certification requirements and prepare people to respond effectively in real situations.
Our instructors bring military, security, and operational experience from both the United States and overseas, including work in high-risk environments. This experience allows us to incorporate proven security principles, tactical methods, and scenario-based training into every course we provide.
Our Mission
ITAC’s mission is to protect lives and teach people how to defend themselves when violence occurs. Through our high standards, operational experience, and professional instruction, we strive to improve our clients’ safety, preparedness, and confidence.
We aim to elevate our clients’ standard of living by providing top-tier security and tactical training while helping them apply effective tools, situational awareness, tactical knowledge, and confidence into their everyday lives.
MEET THE TEAM
Yonatan Farber
Founder & Lead Instructor
Yonatan brings over 18 years of operational experience in military, counter-terrorism, corporate security, and tactical training. As a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commander who served in specialized counter-terror units, he gained extensive hands-on experience operating in high-risk and dynamic environments.
Following his military service, Yonatan continued his career in the security industry, specializing in physical security, executive protection, firearms instruction, emergency response training, and security consulting.
Yonatan is an accomplished firearms, self-defense, and security instructor who has trained military personnel, law enforcement officers, security professionals, corporate teams, schools, and private clients. His training philosophy combines real-world operational principles with practical, scenario-based instruction focused on preparedness, professionalism, safety, and performance under stress.
Through ITAC Academy, Yonatan’s mission is to provide high-level, realistic training that helps individuals and organizations build confidence, improve readiness, and develop the skills needed to respond effectively in real-world situations.
Gadi Dayan
Firearms & Tactical Instructor
Gadi is a former member of a specialized unit in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where he served as a team commander in a sniper unit. He brings extensive operational experience in firearms, tactical training, and self-defense, along with years of practical, hands-on instruction.
Gadi’s training approach focuses on discipline, precision, safety, and real-world application. His background allows him to deliver professional, experience-based instruction that helps students build confidence, improve performance, and develop practical defensive skills.
Mike Kaiser
Security & Tactical Instructor
Mike Kaiser retired from the FBI in 2024 after a distinguished career focused primarily on counterterrorism investigations. During his time with the FBI, he served on the San Diego Field Office’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) for over 10 years and deployed to multiple countries as an investigator, FBI advisor, and Assistant Legal Attaché.
Prior to joining the FBI, Mike worked as an intelligence analyst for the Department of the Navy following his active-duty service as a Marine Corps officer.
Mike brings extensive experience in counterterrorism, tactical operations, intelligence, and security operations, providing students with real-world insight and professional instruction grounded in decades of operational experience.
Gabriel Benítez ("Moggly")
Defensive Tactics instructor
Gabriel “Moggly” Benitez is a professional MMA fighter with over 20 years of experience in Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A UFC veteran with 10 years of experience competing at the highest level of professional MMA, Gabriel brings extensive real-world combat sports knowledge and coaching experience to his training.
Gabriel is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and an experienced instructor. His coaching style emphasizes discipline, technique, conditioning, confidence, and practical application, helping students improve their skills in a professional and supportive environment.
Hubert Martinez
Muay Thai & Striking Instructor
Hubert is a professional Muay Thai athlete and the current undefeated WCK West Coast IAMTF Super Featherweight Champion. He is also the 2025 Amazing Muaythai Festival Gold Medalist.
With years of competitive experience and high-level striking training, Hubert brings practical knowledge, discipline, and technical expertise to every class. His instruction focuses on proper technique, conditioning, timing, movement, and real-world application, helping students improve their striking skills in a challenging and professional training environment.
David Laniado
Firearms & Tactical Instructor
David served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a commander and team leader, where he specialized in anti-tank weapons, navigation, and surveillance patrols. Following his mandatory military service, he continued serving in the IDF as a team leader in a sniper platoon within a counter-terror unit.
Following his military service, David joined the Israeli Ministry of Defense, where he applied his extensive military and operational experience across multiple fields within the organization.
David brings extensive hands-on experience in tactical operations, firearms, field navigation, and security operations. His instruction focuses on professionalism, discipline, situational awareness, and practical real-world application, helping students build confidence and improve performance in dynamic environments.