Join On The Range Podcast hosts Rick Hogg of War HOGG Tactical and Mark Kelley of Kelley Defense live from the ATK9 2026 American Tactical K9 Conference at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Indiana—the world’s largest hands-on K9 training event. Special guest JC LeBlanc, founder of the American Tactical K9 Association (ATK9) and owner-operator of Direct Action K9, shares hard-earned lessons from his career as a U.S. Army Special Operations K9 handler (including service with the 2nd Ranger Battalion and elite SOF units), multiple combat deployments, and real-world experience training military and law enforcement K9 teams. Drawing on more than 60 years of combined Special Operations, combat, and law enforcement experience from the hosts, Rick and Mark, plus JC’s operational background, this episode covers tactical K9 applications, force-on-force scenarios, building realistic training, handler mindset, survivability, and practical takeaways for military, law enforcement, and professional K9 teams. Join the On The Range Podcast CREW at otrcrew.com for exclusive training videos, bonus content, live Q&As, and to support the show. In this ATK9 2026 conversation, Rick, Mark, and JC dive into the mission of the American Tactical K9 Association—delivering affordable, high-level, scenario-based K9 training that improves handler and working dog performance under real-world conditions. They discuss Direct Action K9’s focus on combat-proven tactics (building searches, tracking, vehicle stops, casualty care, and after-action reviews), the value of training with operators from both military SOF and law enforcement backgrounds, continuous improvement, and how elite-level K9 work translates to better operational readiness. Whether you are a K9 handler, tactical operator, law enforcement professional, military service member, or responsibly armed citizen focused on training and the warrior ethos of becoming 1% better every day, this episode delivers actionable insights from the event floor. Key Links: On The Range Podcast: ontherangepodcast.com CREW Membership: otrcrew.com Rick Hogg / War HOGG Tactical: warhogg.com Mark Kelley / Kelley Defense: kelleydefense.com JC LeBlanc / ATK9 (American Tactical K9 Association): atk9.org Direct Action K9: atk9.org/direct-action-k9 SEO Keywords: On The Range Podcast, Rick Hogg, Mark Kelley, JC LeBlanc, Jean-Claude LeBlanc, ATK9, ATK9 2026, American Tactical K9 Association, Direct Action K9, tactical K9 training, special operations K9, military K9, law enforcement K9, working dog training, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, War HOGG Tactical, Kelley Defense, K9 handler training, realistic scenario training, Be 1% Better Everyday, firearms and tactical training podcast.
