Professional Military Biography
Captain (CPT) John Lorman enlisted in the United States Army in January 2008 while attending the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was studying Criminal Justice. At the height of the Iraq Surge, a call to national service led him to enlist and begin his military career. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. During his tenure with the 82nd Airborne Division, he served as a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Gunner, M240B Machine Gunner, and Weapons Squad Team Leader.
Private First Class (PFC) Lorman deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as a dismounted light machine gunner with the M249 SAW and as a medium machine gunner with the M240B during offensive and defensive operations in Baghdad and Sadr City. Following the deployment, his unit assumed the Global Response Force (GRF) mission. As a Weapons Squad Team Leader, Sergeant Lorman participated in the unit's rapid-response readiness mission and numerous airfield seizure exercises and operations associated with the 18-hour GRF posture.
Sergeant Lorman was subsequently selected by the Army to serve with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) in Arlington, Virginia. There, he served as the battalion's Senior Combatives Noncommissioned Officer, developing and executing comprehensive combatives programs designed to enhance Soldier lethality, confidence, and readiness. He was also responsible for implementing progressive physical fitness and warrior-skills training tailored to the demands of a high-visibility ceremonial unit, helping ensure Soldiers maintained combat-ready capabilities despite an operational tempo traditionally focused on ceremonial missions.
After fulfilling his active-duty service obligation, Sergeant Lorman transitioned to the Army National Guard. He completed his college education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and subsequently attended Officer Candidate School (OCS), commissioning as a Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Lorman served with 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry Regiment, an armored reconnaissance squadron, where he continued to develop as a leader and officer. He ultimately promoted to the rank of Captain and completed his military service obligation.
Law Enforcement Service
In addition to his military service, John Lorman served as a Deputy Sheriff and Patrol Deputy, continuing his commitment to public service within his community. Drawing on the operational and instructional experience developed during his military career, Deputy Lorman was selected to serve as both a Defensive Tactics Instructor and Firearms Instructor.
In these roles, Deputy Lorman instructed personnel within his agency and recruits at the Regional Police Academy. His instruction incorporated practical lessons from military and law enforcement service, emphasizing sound fundamentals, disciplined decision-making, officer safety, weapons proficiency, defensive tactics, and performance under stress.
Lorman's military and law enforcement careers are defined by combat experience, leadership from the small-unit through brigade level, and service in conventional, airborne, reconnaissance, and community law enforcement environments.
John Lorman
C.E.O
Professional Background
Matt Hammond is a security executive and investigations professional with extensive experience in undercover operations, organized crime investigations, executive protection, and large-scale security management. His career has been built around investigations, intelligence gathering, risk mitigation, and the disciplined leadership of security operations in complex environments.
His investigative experience includes complex undercover operations conducted in coordination with federal and local law enforcement agencies. Through this work, Hammond contributed to investigations designed to disrupt and dismantle organized criminal operations while developing substantial experience in covert activity, intelligence development, investigative coordination, and operational planning.
Security Operations & Executive Protection
Hammond has directed multi-state security operations spanning as many as 11 states and involving more than 200 security personnel. His leadership responsibilities have included the development, coordination, and management of geographically dispersed security teams while maintaining operational consistency, accountability, and client service across multiple locations.
He also brings experience in executive protection and high-risk event environments, where effective security depends on preparation, discretion, situational awareness, sound judgment, and the ability to coordinate personnel and resources in dynamic operating conditions.
Investigations & Intelligence
Hammond's investigative background encompasses undercover operations, organized crime investigations, covert surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordination with law enforcement partners. This experience provides a practical foundation for identifying emerging threats, developing actionable information, assessing risk, and supporting informed operational decision-making.
His investigative perspective complements his security-management experience by integrating intelligence and threat awareness into the planning and execution of protective and security operations.
Professional Training & Development
Hammond's professional development includes advanced training in interview and interrogation, organized retail crime investigations, PPCT, operational communications, defensive driving, and specialized covert surveillance.
• Advanced Interview and Interrogation
• Organized Retail Crime Investigations
• PPCT
• Operational Communications
• Defensive Driving
• Specialized Professional Covert Surveillance Training
His covert surveillance training was developed and instructed by experienced law enforcement professionals, including former LAPD Detective Ross Hay, whose professional background includes leadership within the anti-terrorism mission at Los Angeles International Airport.
Education
Hammond holds academic credentials in Criminal Justice and Political Science. His academic background complements a professional career centered on investigations, intelligence gathering, security operations, risk mitigation, and organizational leadership.
Matt
Hammond
C.O.O
Our Journey
At Vanguard Ridge Protection Group, we provide discreet, intelligence-driven protective services designed to safeguard executives, high-net-worth individuals, dignitaries, and their families.
Vanguard Ridge was founded by John Lorman and Matt Hammond, whose combined backgrounds include military service, law enforcement, executive protection, and security operations. John Lorman served as a U.S. Army Infantry Paratrooper with the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (2-505 PIR), 82nd Airborne Division, drawing upon training and operational experience gained while supporting missions both domestically and abroad during the Global War on Terror (GWOT). Matt Hammond brings extensive experience running security operations and building and managing multi-state security teams for high-level clients. After meeting and working alongside one another, John and Matt later discovered that Matt's father had also served in the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (2-505 PIR), connected by a shared airborne lineage spanning generations. The principles developed through their professional and military experiences - discipline, preparedness, adaptability, accountability, and mission-focused execution - remain foundational to the company today.
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Drawing on decades of combined military, law enforcement, and executive protection experience, we integrate proactive planning, protective intelligence, risk mitigation, and disciplined execution to deliver comprehensive security solutions tailored to each client and operational environment.
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Our approach extends beyond physical protection. We anticipate threats, identify vulnerabilities, develop contingencies, and manage risk while preserving our clients' privacy, freedom of movement, and ability to conduct their personal and professional lives without unnecessary disruption.
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The name Vanguard Ridge reflects that heritage. Vanguard represents those entrusted to move forward, anticipate what lies ahead, and set the conditions for those who follow. Ridge represents the tactical advantage of observation, awareness, and control of the high ground. Together, these principles embody our philosophy of protection: anticipate, prepare, and act decisively when required.
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Our Standard
Every protective mission is approached with integrity, discretion, preparedness, accountability, and uncompromising professionalism. From initial planning through final execution, our standard remains constant:
Protect what matters. Anticipate what others overlook. Execute decisively.
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DISCIPLINE • PREPAREDNESS • EXECUTION
This Is Us In Numbers
$10M
Clients’ Assets Over Last Year
10+
Business Partners in Over 5 States
22
Years of Experience