Who We Are

Rip Six Gear was originally founded in 2017 by active duty military personnel who wanted to outfit the JTAC community with apparel that was made by operators, for operators.

Beginning in 2019, Rip Six Gear was dissolved, and a new focused, Rip 6 Incorporated was established by both active and retired military personnel. The company was founded under a new common goal: to utilize the knowledge and experience of our staff to provide realistic, relevant and cost-effective training for US Military members, Fire Department, Law Enforcement and Athletes across the world.

Rip 6 Inc aims to produce some of the best apparel in the market for civilians, athletes and military personnel under a “One For All” approach. Our instructors & designers are hand selected and pride themselves in mastering their skill sets to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Comprised of conventional and special operations deployments, our staff’s experience and skill sets have been tested and proven on the battlefield. Our staff also includes some of the world’s finest Athletic Trainers who have worked intensively with special operations personnel and athletes for years and have a multitude of experience.

Our staff is eager to provide quality training and products in order to prepare those who wish to develop & sharpen their skills to be successful in the worst situations. We truly embrace the motto of…

“You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall back to your training.”

MEET THE TEAM

SHAWN “DIESEL” MINYON – Firearms Instructor

Shawn “Diesel” Minyon is a retired (24 years of active military service) Special Operations Forces Joint Terminal Attack Controller (SOF JTAC)/Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) member. His duty stations include Ft. Bragg, NC; Korean Peninsula, Colorado Springs, CO; Aviano, Italy; and Savannah, GA. He has been involved in clandestine operations throughout the Baltics, South America and Africa and was part of the initial invasion into Afghanistan in 2001, as well as the initial SOF invasion into Iraq in 2003, accumulating four additional tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and five additional tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During those deployments Shawn was embedded with ODA teams, CIF teams, Rangers and other JSOC/ DoD agency units.

While stationed in Italy, he was intimately involved in Building Partnership Capacity with host nations and surrounding Country’s Special Operations units, working to help establish their JTAC and small arms proficiency training programs while training side by side with their SOF JTACs.

Shawn has received extensive small arms and combative training through the U.S. Army Special Warfare Training center, to include courses such as Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOTIC), Special Forces, Advanced Urban Combat Course (SFAUC), Special Forces, Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course (SFARTAETC), plus additional commercial Shoot and combative courses.

Shawn has earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Health and Science and an Associates degree in Information Systems Management. He has also attended multiple senior level leadership courses, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster School, Static-Line Jumpmaster School, Air Assault and Pathfinder School.

AUGUSTA HATHAWAY – Athletic Programmer

Augusta received his Bachelors of Art in Physical Education in 2005 from Maryville College, and in 2009 he earned his Masters Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Hawaii-Manoa.

Augusta’s expertise includes Strength and Conditioning and martial arts. He has assisted over 60,000 soldiers in the area of fitness and combatives throughout the course of his career. In 2002, he began his career as a collegiate strength and conditioning specialist. In 2009, Augusta transitioned into military strength and conditioning, serving as a Fitness Instructor for the United States Navy and Marine Corps at Kaneohe Marine Base, Hawaii. During his tenure, he received a Civilian Appreciation Award for his impact on overall solider fitness. Augusta also presented his fitness program to Navy and Marine personnel at the 2010 RIMPAC (The Rim of the Pacific Exercise), which is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. Augusta has also served as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at Ft. Benning, GA. During his tenure, he was honored with awards such as Commanding General’s Award of Excellence, Commander’s Award for Public Service, and Support Cadre of the Cycle on two occasions for his extraordinary work improving the physical attributes of military personnel.

Augusta continues his career as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist for the United States Military, and recently published his first book “Special Forces Fitness Training” Gym Free Workouts. His book can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and on his website.

Augusta holds top level certifications such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CSCS), Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), Master Fitness Trainer and multiple credentials in Martial Arts/Combatives. When not conditioning soldiers for combat, Augusta is a professional mixed martial artist who remains undefeated.

JEN EAVE – Graphic Design Project Manager

Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Jen graduated from Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon. She developed her art skills practicing graffiti and urban art on the streets of “Rip City”. As most Oregonians, she enjoys sipping locally brewed coffee while creating some of the best custom designs on the market.

Starting out as an assistant graphic artist for Rip 6 Inc, her talents quickly became noticed and she was promoted to the lead graphic designer managing all custom projects. Due to her attention to detail, and excellent customer service skills, she has been highly requested to work custom designs from customers all over the world.

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @littleredkis