Dustin Dobbyn: The Marine-Turned-CEO Redefining Security and Leadership
When you meet Dustin Dobbyn, there’s a calm intensity about him — the kind you only find in someone who’s been tested by fire, both literally and figuratively. A former U.S. Marine and SWAT operator turned CEO, Dobbyn now leads one of Colorado’s fastest-growing private-security firms, Tacon 1 LLC, while inspiring a new generation of leaders through his tactical mindset and philosophy known as “The 10% Rule.”
From the Battlefield to the Boardroom
Dobbyn enlisted in the Marine Corps at just 17, serving in multiple high-risk deployments across Guantanamo Bay, Rota Spain, and Afghanistan. As part of the Marine Corps Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST Company), he protected embassies, nuclear assets, and sensitive U.S. facilities worldwide. Those years built not only a warrior’s discipline but a leader’s clarity — lessons he carried into law enforcement, where he later served as a detective, SWAT operator, and academy instructor.
“The Marine Corps taught me that you don’t rise to the occasion — you fall to your level of training,” Dobbyn says. “That principle shaped everything I’ve done since.”
After leaving public service, Dobbyn founded Tacon 1 in 2024 with a mission to bring military-grade precision and integrity to the private-sector security world. In just a short time, the firm has become a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies, corporate executives, and high-profile individuals who need more than a guard — they need a guardian.
A Night That Defined a Philosophy
The 10% Rule was born from experience. One night, Dobbyn responded to a call that no amount of routine could prepare anyone for — a vehicle had crashed through a house. A baby was trapped in a back room, the mother was pinned between the car and a wall, and the impaired driver was still behind the wheel.
“There was no time to plan,” Dobbyn recalls. “We started punching holes through walls to reach the baby and the injured mother. It was pure chaos — but training took over.”
The baby survived, the mother was hospitalized with serious injuries, and the driver went to jail. For Dobbyn, that incident became a living definition of the 10% Rule: the idea that 90% of life is preparation, but the remaining 10% — the part no one plans for — is what truly defines you.
Beyond Tactics: Building Leaders
At Tacon 1, the 10% Rule has become the company’s culture. It’s not just about protecting clients — it’s about cultivating readiness, discipline, and leadership at every level. Dobbyn and his team of elite professionals train law-enforcement officers, private-security agents, and corporate leaders on how to stay calm and decisive under pressure.
“Calm isn’t the absence of fear,” Dobbyn explains. “It’s the result of preparation.”
Through workshops, tactical courses, and keynote speaking engagements, he translates lessons from the field into principles that empower people to lead effectively in high-stress environments — whether that’s a crisis scene or a corporate boardroom.
From Elite Operator to Thought Leader
Today, Dobbyn is becoming one of the most respected voices in the modern security and leadership space. His insights on crisis readiness, executive protection, and disciplined leadership have made him a sought-after speaker and consultant for organizations seeking to strengthen performance under pressure.
His next chapter focuses on expanding leadership programs, increasing public-speaking appearances, and mentoring the next generation of protectors, veterans, and entrepreneurs. For Dobbyn, the mission has simply evolved.
“The fight doesn’t end when you hang up the uniform,” he says. “It just changes. Now I’m fighting for leadership, integrity, and excellence.”
To learn more or book Dustin Dobbyn for training or speaking engagements, visit tacon1.com.
