Sylvester “Sly” Pocius

Chief Instructor
E.A.S.T. Group’s Chief Instructor is a Retired Marine Corps Staff NCO with operational, strategic, and tactical experience from multiple overseas deployments. Assigned as a Primary Marksmanship and CQB instructor, Sly was responsible for Pre-Deployment and In-Theater training of Marine units in the tactical areas of Pistol, Carbine, Shotgun, Precision Rifle, Close Quarter Combat, Mountain and Desert Survival, Rappelling, and Fast Roping.

Sly’s private contracting duties included the Drug Eradication Task Force in Afghanistan and he was responsible for training the Afghan National Police in Weapons Handling, Team Tactics, Building Clearing, and Raid Techniques.  

Sly served in a Diplomatic Protection Detail in Iraq, where his primary responsibility was the day-to-day security and monitoring of the movements of US Ambassadors and visiting US Dignitaries. His secondary duties included keeping the security teams proficient in their Weapons Handling Skills, Building Clearing Procedures, and Hostage Rescue Techniques.  

Sly is currently Chief of Operations and Chief Instructor at E.A.S.T. Group, a state-of-the-art firearms training facility in central Ohio.

Jason Bostic

Instructor / Marketing

Jason brings over 25 years of experience in Fire and EMS, with a career spanning inner-city EMS, rural response, trauma care, and Rescue Task Force operations. He began his public safety journey in 1998, graduating from OPOTA in Toledo, Ohio, and went on to expand his expertise with coursework in Fire Science, EMS, and Emergency Management.

A lifelong student dedicated to sharpening his craft, Jason began training with E.A.S.T. Group several years ago and transitioned from student to instructor in 2020. He is highly skilled in trauma care, Tae Kwon Do, situational awareness instruction, and reality-based defensive tactics.

Beyond instruction, Jason provides comprehensive security solutions, including threat assessments, NDAA-compliant camera system design, communications, access control, emergency response planning, and grant writing.

He also leverages his technical background to lead technology consulting and marketing initiatives for E.A.S.T. Group.

SHane barrett

Instructor
With 34 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Air Force, Shane specialized in combat support operations within the Combat Air Forces and Special Warfare units. His deployments across Southwest Asia, Central America, and Europe provided him with extensive operational knowledge in diverse and challenging environments.

Shane holds a Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art, which enhances his ability to deliver comprehensive training that integrates practical acumen with hands-on skills. Since becoming a certified NRA instructor in 1995, he has served as both a Range Safety Officer and firearms instructor with multiple respected training organizations.

His qualifications encompass a wide range of firearms disciplines, including handgun, rifle, shotgun, and edged weapons. Additionally, Shane holds certifications as a Glock Armorer, Security Officer, and Opposing Force member, giving him a broad perspective on weapon maintenance, security protocols, and adversary tactics.

As an instructor, Shane is dedicated to helping students at all skill levels improve their marksmanship, safety, and tactical awareness. He is enthusiastic about fostering confident, responsible, and proficient shooters through structured, progressive training programs.

Shane’s approach emphasizes discipline, situational awareness, and real-world application, ensuring every student is prepared to perform under the direst of circumstances.