ALL ABOUT DERRICK HOLTON
Hello all,
I am Derrick Holton, the proud Co-Founder and Co-Owner of The Black Outdoorsmen. As of this writing I am currently an instructor of technical and engineering ship systems and certifications associated with U.S. Naval warships 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 life’s journey.
I have worked for various naval defense contractors before landing with my current employer where I have provided 33 years of service.
While I 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 bb guns and stressed marksmanship always. Later as a Cub Scout, I learned not to fear the woods and how to live out in it.
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 racer myself. I had a desire to serve in the military so once my career was established and while still being young and an adrenaline junky, 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 trained on Army, Marine, and Coast Guard bases and various other airfields in 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 Team Leader for Ground Search and Rescue Operations to include helicopter insertion via fast rope, and extraction via hoist systems, missing persons, downed pilot rescue. I also enjoyed my time as Hunter and Bowhunter Safety Instructor for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. I also found my way into operating 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, where I have been, and the skill-sets and knowledge I am willing to share through The Black Outdoorsmen experience.
Be patient, we are just getting started.
Luke 10:19
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.