Mind, Body and Soul: Greg Amundson’s Journey of Service and Leadership in Law Enforcement
Inspired at a young age by his parents' example of ministry, servant leadership, and patriotism, Greg Amundson embarked on a remarkable journey in law enforcement. It began during his junior year at the University of California, Santa Cruz when he started his career as a reserve officer with the Scotts Valley Police Department. This initial step laid the foundation for a distinguished career marked by diverse and impactful roles.
Amundson's service has spanned various capacities. He served as a Captain in the United States Army, demonstrating his commitment to his country. During his time in the Army, Greg had the chance to become a TAC Officer (Teach–Access–Counsel) at the Army Officer Candidate School. It was during this experience that he discovered his passion for teaching and developing curriculum.
His expertise and dedication were further evident in his role as a Deputy Sheriff, Special Weapons and Tactics Team Operator (SWAT), and Sniper for Santa Cruz County, California. Amundson’s skills and experience led him to become a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While with the DEA, he was the liaison to the highly effective Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST) Team in Imperial Valley, California. Additionally, Greg served as a maritime officer for the Santa Cruz Port District.
Beyond his government service, Amundson is passionate about physical fitness, education, and learning. He holds two master's degrees from Western Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Regent University, where he is researching resilience in law enforcement. As an ecclesiastically endorsed and ordained minister and police chaplain, Amundson’s commitment to his faith and community is evident.
In December 2001, Amundson became a founding athlete of the nation’s first CrossFit gym. Soon afterward, he developed the CrossFit Inc. Law Enforcement Application Course and traveled worldwide to teach CrossFit to law enforcement agencies for over a decade. His dedication to physical fitness is further highlighted by his Krav Maga Black Belt, earned through Krav Maga Worldwide and the Krav Maga Association of America. He is also a "Top Gun" graduate of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Handgun Instructor Training School (HITS).
In addition to his physical fitness achievements, Amundson contributed significantly to the National Tactical Officer's Association (NTOA) as the Physical Fitness Section Chair. He led the team that developed the nation’s first standardized SWAT Physical Qualification Test (PFQ).
Although Amundson did not attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) as a student, in his role as a DEA special agent, he interacted with many FLETC graduates. He quickly recognized FLETC as the most prestigious law enforcement training center in the world. Amundson set his sights on joining the team someday. When the opportunity arose to join the FLETC Enforcement Operations Division (EOD) Use of Force export team, Amundson eagerly accepted and relocated to Georgia. He currently serves as a Senior Instructor in the Enforcement Operations Division, Use of Force Branch. He also volunteers as a chaplain at FLETC and serves on the peer support team.
One of Amundson’s favorite Bible verses is, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). He enjoys the “sharpening” that FLETC provides to instructors, students, and law enforcement professionals around the world. Amundson finds the atmosphere, energy, and experience of working at FLETC exciting and rewarding. Most importantly, he values the opportunity to help contribute to the safety of law enforcement officers serving our nation.
One of Amundson’s longtime mentors is former Santa Monica Police Department Seargent Londale Theus. On numerous occasions, Theus told him that the greatest blessing in law enforcement is helping prepare the next generation of officers to serve and protect our great nation. Theus imparted leadership lessons to Amundson that he still carries in his heart and enjoys passing on to FLETC students. Reinforcing Theus’s words of wisdom, he delights in inspiring students with these words: “Train as if your life depends on it … because it does!” and “What you do frequently, becomes your frequency.”
Amundson’s brother Erik serves as a U.S. Border Patrol agent, and his brother Mark serves as an endoscopy nurse. Their late parents, Raymond, and Julianne were both ministers and educators, and Raymond was a naval officer and Doctor of Chiropractic. Julianne passed away from injuries she sustained while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jordan.
Amundson is also a national bestselling author. He recently published an article on chaplaincy in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Law Enforcement Bulletin (LEB), sharing his insights and experiences with a broader audience. His books are available for checkout at the FLETC library, offering valuable resources to those in the field.
Throughout his career, Amundson has exemplified dedication, leadership, and a commitment to his profession and his community. His journey reflects a blend of physical prowess, intellectual curiosity, and a deep sense of service, making him a respected figure in law enforcement and beyond.
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