Tim Bruce

Aptitude Factory, LLC

Owner/Operator

Internal Revenue Service

Provide oversight and consulting for training and development supporting multiple business divisions. Advise on performance improvement, technical training and and leadership development programs. Work with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities and implement processes to achieve desired outcomes. Provide expertise on instructional design, performance metrics and organizational development.

Lead, Education and Training Services

Social Saturday Squad

Member

Team member and individual contributor.  Service 1800+ clients in face-2-face and virtual learning environments.  Perform needs assessment/gap analysis to meet organizational goals.  Align training activities with strategic objectives and operational programs through performance measurement.  Develop and deploy training using ISD principles.  Convert standard technical training to distance learning.

Human Resource  Development Specialist

United States Air Force

Executive HR services to a 3,000 person aviation group at the Air Force’s sixth busiest airfield. Consult and advise subordinate organizational leaders on the interpretation and execution of human resource policies. Oversee personnel actions including promotions, performance appraisals, recognition, personnel utilization, demotion, disciplinary actions, and professional development. Reviewed performance management and Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) data to identify obstacles to success in meeting objectives. Conduct interviews and investigations for acts of negligence or possible criminal violations of policy, standards or laws. Represent the organization at public events, speeches and presentations as well as leader/member of advisory boards.

Wing Command Chief (Senior HR Director )

United States Air Force Academy

Managed the professional training program in the officer development of 4400 USAF cadets and 120 military trainers/staff members.  Engineered training and curriculum in leadership and technical/skills training. Developed performance management tools to evaluate effectiveness of programs.  Managed budget and manpower resources to meet operational and future needs. Recruited and assessed staff members and provided career guidance.

Superintendent of Military Training

USAF First Sergeant Academy

Directed operations of a Human Resources Generalist School that trained 1,500 students at 14 locations annually.

Vice Commandant/Deputy Director

Provided Human resource services (health, morale, welfare & discipline) to organizations with 120 to 1,500 employees in multiple countries. Includes deployment to hostile environments.

First Sergeant/ HR Manager

Empowering organizations through strategic training and development.

Stressed about training your rapidly expanding team? 

Can't figure out how to educate your clients on your IT/software product? 

According to Gartner research:
✅ Successful onboarding can increase an employee's discretionary effort by 20%+
✅ Increase performance up to 15%
✅ Well oriented workers work 57% harder 
✅ 9X less likely to leave

❓Does any of this resonate:

Your business is growing faster than you can say "employee training," and it seems like every new software rollout is a battle. Recognize these pain points?

Between the costly hiring process, overhead expenses, and the risk of work stopping for training sessions, it feels like you're riding a rollercoaster with no end in sight.

That's where I come in. With my wealth of experience in corporate training and eLearning, I'm here to unlock your business's potential, turning your pains into gains.

But don’t just take my word for it…
"Before Tim we didn’t know what our training program needed. He brought in commonsense, science-based order to our new hire training curriculum." – Jean Wetzler, former supervisor.
"At the USAF Academy, Tim was instrumental in implementing two programs, the Commandant's Challenge and the Office Development System, which contributed significantly to the successful administration of the institution." - John L. Rosa, Lieutenant General, USAF (Retired) Former President, USAFA

My learning products have been used in government agencies servicing over 500.000 users annually in technical, leadership and compliance training.

My secret? I offer my wisdom free of charge. Together, we identify your challenges and craft solutions. You invest only when you want me to develop a custom plan, course, or curriculum that fits your needs and budget.

My goal is to turbocharge your success, not make a sale. It's about making training a part of your daily grind and creating an effective training program for your software users. No more delays, no more costly mistakes.

🎯 Ready to redefine growth? Let's chat today. 

Try my advice, free. 
Feel the shift before you invest. 

Growth doesn't have to mean growing pains. Let me show you how.

United States Marine Corps

Battalion Operations Officer

As the Intelligence Officer for 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, I provided critical intelligence support, operational analysis, and mission planning for one of the Marine Corps’ premier special operations-capable units. My role ensured that reconnaissance teams were equipped with actionable intelligence, threat assessments, and mission-critical insights to execute high-risk, strategic operations effectively.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Operational Intelligence & Reconnaissance Support 
– Analyze, develop, and disseminate detailed intelligence products that enable Force Recon teams to conduct deep reconnaissance, surveillance, and direct-action missions.

Threat & Risk Analysis for Special Operations 
– Conduct advanced threat assessments, enemy course-of-action analyses, and terrain studies, ensuring mission success in denied and contested environments.

Mission Planning & Targeting Support 
– Integrate geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and human intelligence (HUMINT) into operational planning, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making for Force Reconnaissance missions.

Interagency & Joint Force Collaboration 
– Coordinate with Naval Special Warfare, Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), and Joint Task Forces (JTFs) to synchronize reconnaissance operations and intelligence-sharing for real-world and training missions.

Training & Development of Reconnaissance Teams 
– Provide intelligence briefs, battlefield analysis, and enemy tactics training to enhance mission readiness for combat diver, airborne, and clandestine reconnaissance teams.

As the primary intelligence advisor to the Company Commander, I ensurd that Force Recon teams were mission-ready, intelligence-driven, and positioned for success in high-stakes operations.

Intelligence Officer | 1st Force Reconnaissance Company

While serving as a Marine Officer Instructor and Assistant Professor of Naval Science, I played a pivotal role in shaping and mentoring over 250 future Marine Corps and Navy officers, providing them with a deep understanding of military leadership, strategy, and the history of warfare. My primary responsibilities included leading classroom instruction, developing training curricula, and preparing officer candidates for the intellectual and physical demands of military service.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Delivered 460+ Hours of Instruction 
– Led undergraduate courses on military leadership theory, ethical decision-making, and military history, equipping officer candidates with the strategic and operational knowledge needed for service.

Employed Digital Learning & Adaptation 
– In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I spearheaded the rapid transition to online learning, leveraging Blackboard Learn and Canvas to ensure seamless instruction, engagement, and retention despite global disruptions.

Led Leadership Development & Officer Training 
– Designed and conducted tactical decision-making exercises, ethical leadership seminars, and operational planning coursework, enhancing candidates’ critical thinking, adaptability, and battlefield decision-making.

Dual Role in Unit Security & Operations 
– In addition to my instructional duties, I served as the Operations and Physical Security Officer, ensuring the safety, readiness, and efficiency of the training environment.

Developed Future Leaders 
– Provided individualized mentorship and career guidance to officer candidates, many of whom went on to serve in combat arms, intelligence, aviation, and logistics roles within the fleet.

This role allowed me to blend my operational experience with academic instruction, creating a rigorous yet engaging learning environment that prepared future Marine and Navy officers for the realities of modern warfare.

Marine Officer Instructor | Assistant Professor | University of Idaho

Led a 28-Marine technical operations team specializing in signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic surveillance, and secure communications in support of global crisis response missions. Managed high-value equipment, oversaw complex training pipelines, and deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to support U.S. operations in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

- Led Distributed Intelligence Operations
Directed forward-deployed intelligence teams aboard naval vessels and across foreign partner nations, delivering real-time threat reporting, communications intercepts, and electronic warfare support to tactical and strategic decision-makers.

- Integrated Intelligence into Mission Planning
Aligned technical capabilities with dynamic operational goals, embedding SIGINT support into multi-domain operations, multinational exercises, and interagency coordination, enhancing decision timelines and mission execution.

- Managed Sensitive Systems & Data Security
Maintained accountability of over $12.5M in sensitive communications equipment and classified systems, ensuring operational continuity, system integrity, and compliance with stringent security protocols.

- Developed and Executed Advanced Training Programs
Designed and led training pipelines for high-performing teams, preparing personnel for maritime, airborne, and ground-based operations in austere and high-risk environments.

- Enabled Cross-Functional Collaboration
Worked alongside joint military forces, government agencies, and foreign partners to synchronize intelligence-sharing, data integration, and electronic surveillance efforts, enhancing regional situational awareness and interoperability.

Platoon Commander | 1st Radio Battalion

Selected for a highly competitive commissioning program, I balanced the dual demands of full-time active-duty military service and rigorous academic coursework, preparing for a career as a Marine Corps officer. Throughout the program, I mentored, trained, and developed 250 future Navy and Marine Corps officers, fostering their leadership, academic success, and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Developed & Mentored Future Officers 
– Led leadership training, physical fitness programs, and tactical decision-making exercises to prepare candidates for the rigors of military service.

Balanced Full-Time Military Service with Academic Excellence 
– Successfully navigated active-duty commitments while completing a demanding undergraduate program, demonstrating discipline, time management, and adaptability.

Held Key Leadership Roles 
– Served in multiple leadership positions, guiding fellow officer candidates in ethical decision-making, small-unit tactics, and mission planning.

Contributed to Officer Development Programs 
– Assisted in training and mentoring 250+ ROTC midshipmen, focusing on physical fitness, academic performance, and leadership development.

Integrated Academic & Military Training 
– Applied lessons from history, philosophy, and leadership studies to real-world military scenarios, enhancing strategic thinking and battlefield decision-making.

This experience solidified my leadership philosophy, resilience, and ability to balance competing priorities, skills that I carried forward into my career as a Marine Corps officer.

Naval ROTC Officer Candidate | Undergraduate Student

As an Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine and Senior Instructor, I played a critical role in training and developing over 500 reconnaissance candidates in advanced combat, survival, and operational skills. I was responsible for 750+ hours of classroom instruction and 140+ live-fire and high-risk training exercises, ensuring that students met the elite standards required for reconnaissance operations.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Developed & Delivered Specialized Training 
– Instructed over 500 Marines in high-risk tactical skills, including water survival, land navigation, helicopter rope suspension techniques (HRST), and demolitions.

Led High-Intensity Reconnaissance Training 
– Supervised and executed 140+ live-fire exercises, amphibious operations, and field training exercises, maintaining 100% safety compliance in high-risk environments.

Designed & Implemented a Systematic Training Curriculum 
– Standardized reconnaissance candidate training programs, improving knowledge retention, tactical proficiency, and operational readiness.

Ensured Operational & Safety Compliance 
– Implemented stringent risk management and safety protocols, preventing training incidents while maintaining combat realism.

Developed Future Reconnaissance Leaders 
– Mentored and assessed candidates for reconnaissance selection, ensuring only the most capable Marines advanced into specialized roles.

This role refined my ability to teach under pressure, lead in demanding environments, and develop high-performing teams, reinforcing my expertise in military instruction, tactical training, and risk management.

Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine | Senior Instructor | Basic Reconnaissance Course

As a Reconnaissance Marine, I conducted clandestine surveillance, direct-action missions, and specialized training operations during multiple deployments to the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. I worked closely with multinational special operations forces, enhancing interoperability and intelligence-sharing in high-stakes operational environments.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Executed High-Risk Reconnaissance & Surveillance Operations 
– Conducted 480+ hours of clandestine surveillance in support of counterinsurgency and direct-action missions.

Led Small-Unit Reconnaissance Teams in Combat Environments 
– Managed teams conducting intelligence-gathering, surveillance, and force reconnaissance operations in support of strategic military objectives.

Trained in Advanced Special Operations Techniques 
– Participated in elite training with U.S. and international special operations forces, including the Royal Jordanian Counter-Terrorism Group, U.S. Special Forces, and foreign naval special warfare units.

Enhanced Operational Readiness & Mission Planning 
– Conducted pre-mission planning, risk assessments, and tactical rehearsals, ensuring mission success in dynamic, high-threat environments.

Strengthened Military Partnerships 
– Collaborated with regional allies on joint military training and operations, improving cross-national force integration.

This experience shaped my leadership approach and strategic mindset, reinforcing my expertise in high-risk operations, intelligence gathering, and  reconnaissance tactics.

Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine | Manager | 1st Reconnaissance Battalion

U.S. Marine | Assistant Professor | Historian | Stoic

I am a Marine Corps officer, historian, and educator with over two decades of leadership experience in military operations, intelligence, and higher education. My career has been defined by a commitment to service, strategic thinking, and mentorship, shaping warriors and scholars for success in dynamic environments.

Currently, I serve as an intelligence officer at 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, leveraging my expertise in operational planning, reconnaissance, and intelligence fusion to enhance mission success. Previously, I was an Assistant Professor and Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Idaho and Washington State University, where I trained and mentored over 250 future military leaders in military history, leadership, and ethics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I spearheaded the transition to online learning, implementing innovative instructional methodologies to maintain academic rigor and engagement.

Throughout my career, I have led and developed teams in high-stakes environments, from combat deployments in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East to training the next generation of military officers. My experience includes serving as a Platoon Commander, where I managed $12.5M in assets and prepared my team for real-world missions, and as an Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine, where I conducted 480+ hours of clandestine surveillance and participated in elite training with U.S. and international special forces.

Beyond my professional responsibilities, I am deeply committed to service and mentorship. I have served as an Organizational Liaison for Marine Toys for Tots and as a mentor for the Vandal Mentor Network, assisting military-affiliated students and veterans in their transition to academic and professional careers. My involvement with the American Legion reflects my dedication to honoring veterans’ sacrifices and strengthening the military community.

Academically, I hold an M.S. in Adult, Organizational Learning & Leadership and an M.A. in History, complemented by a B.S. in History & Philosophy from the University of Idaho, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude. My passion lies in the intersection of history, leadership, and strategy, and I actively engage in professional discussions on military history, virtue ethics, and leadership development.

I welcome opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and meaningful discussions on leadership, military strategy, and education.

taplio

The Battle

Tim Bruce

Amish Smith

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