MEET THE BOM

Hello all,

 

I am Derrick L. Holton, the proud Co-Founder and Co-Owner of The Black Outdoorsmen. As of this writing I am currently a Technical Instructor in the design and engineering of systems and certifications associated with the U.S. navy’s nuclear powered aircraft carriers and submarines for a major defense contractor.

 

In my life since finishing my associates degree in electrical engineering and entering the workforce as a designer of naval combat systems, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to learn from the best people the Lord placed in my path to help me in my professional life’s journey.

 

I have worked for various naval defense contractors prior to landing with my current employer where I have provided 38 years of service and graduated “Maga Cum Laude” with a bachelor’s degree in business focused on project management and global supply chain operations.

 

While I have made a living in this profession, it was and has always been, my passion for the outdoors beginning with my father, a WWII and Korean War Veteran who trained me to shoot from age 6 with pellet rifles and stressed marksmanship always.

Later as a Cub Scout, I learned not to fear the woods and how to live out in it with respect.

 

I had further lessons in the Boys Club of America where I learned sportsmanship and team building.  I was placed in many similar organizations like this because my parents worked very hard raising boys. They always put me where I would not be idle in mind during the summers.

 

As a teenager in the YMCA, key skill-sets learned were how to become a competent swimmer and to learn the discipline of Judo at the Tidewater Judo Academy. At age 15, I secured my first work permit and began bagging groceries at a family-owned store over the hill from my home.

 

This experience led me from bagging and delivering groceries for tips, on to being a stockman learning warehousing receipt and inspection of materials, then head cashier, produce manager and finally my last summer before going away to school I was the assistant butcher.

 

With this last skill-set I learned the various cuts of meat and the processing and care of cows, pigs, chickens and fish. During high school I was a R.O.T.C. cadet learning aviation science and model rocketry.

The final key figure in my childhood and a hero was a mechanical engineer who moved into the neighborhood near me in my sophomore year in high school.

 

He took notice of my curiosity in the motorcycles he would fly through the air in woods and sand hills nearby.  I found myself at his garage as much as possible.

 

This led to him teaching me tools and engines, and building my first dirt bike. Under his wing I became his pit guy at the local motocross tracks then became a member of the Tidewater Dirt Riders and a racer myself in AMA hare scrambles, motocross and 100-mile endurance races in Virginia.

 

I had a desire to serve in the military so once my early career was established and while still being young and an adrenaline junkie, I wanted more skillsets.

 

I served with the Virginia Defense Force, which is a modern name for the then Virginia State Militia as Staff Sergeant and member of their Specialized Ranger Operations Unit.

 

We were soldiers trained on Army, Marine Corp, and Coast Guard bases and various other military airfields in camouflage and concealment, small unit tactics, parachute insertion and special operations and literally dressed the same. Our units could not be federalized and we answered only to the Governor of Virginia.

 

We were highly trained and to be activated in times of crisis or foreign invasion scenario.

 

I served the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office as Level 1 Team Leader for ground search and rescue operations to include LSO, helicopter insertion via fast rope, and extraction via hoist systems, missing persons, downed pilot rescue, horse mounted and dismounted patrolling.

 

I also enjoyed my time as Hunter and Bowhunter Safety Instructor for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

I operated in sales and service as a part-time manager of two gun/archery pro shops. I have competed in NRA High Power Service Rifle, Indoor Bulls-eye, Bowling Pin, NFAA Field and Indoor Archery.

 

This is me and where I have been. I eat and sleep the outdoors and these are the skill-sets and knowledge God has blessed me with and what I am willing to share through “The Black Outdoorsmen” experience.  We are the BOM!!

 

Joshua 1:9

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

 

Ephesians 6:11–12

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

 

Luke 10:19 KJV

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

 

Be patient, we are just getting started.