Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerrod Crockett.
Hi Jerrod, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
International Diplomatic Alliance (IDA) started as an international humanitarian service, nonprofit, organization. During the course of our missions, we identified several downfalls, locally and internationally. Some of the key areas were in security and leadership. Many businesses were suffering from inadequate training and consulting, due to either budget constraints or lack of knowledge as to where to begin.
IDA Consulting & Training LLC, was formed as a separate entity from the training division., with a twofold mission.
(Mission 1) Assist with aiding small businesses in development of leadership skills to become marketable and successful.
(Mission 2) IDA- We live in a new generation where crimes have become fore frequent and increasingly more violent. Security has become a necessity. Since the September 11 attacks, The need for security has increased greatly. According to the Bureau of Labor, there are more active security officers than law enforcement officers employed in the United States. Most states only require an 8 hour course to start working in a security position. Our staff has implement a 40 hour training program, taught by experienced industry professionals, to bring all of our students to a higher level of US and UN standards.
Since the founding of the IDA Training Section, (June 2025), we have trained over 100 new officers as well as officers from other countries. We are proud to say, that because of our high standards, our students have achieved a 100% success rate for employment.
In addition IDA- Command Staff is proposing the use of members from partner organizations for humanitarian service programs. These services will include but not be limited to safety/ security of individuals in relocation facilities, protection of human rights, and skills training for displaced individuals.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a new organization or company is never easy. You always have struggles with name branding and proving yourself above your competitors. It has been a struggle to show how we differ and excel in our work as compared to all others.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My story began when I joined the army at age 18, during the summer of 1989. On our second day of basic training we had a round table discussion where our senior Drill Sergeant asked us all to stand up, say our name, where we were from, why we joined the army and what our ultimate goals were.
When it came to my turn, I stood up and said, I am Jerrod Crockett from a small town in Kansas, which is barely even a pencil spot on the map. I came from a broken home. My mom and dad divorced when I was 3 years old and I grew up in a household with an abusive, alcoholic step father. My adoption was falsified so that they could receive state benefits. We never had much food and lived a sorry existence. Occasional physical fights where I would go to school with my hands bleeding. Living in a small town, there is no help. So I decided to join the Army to break the cycle and get away from home.
My ultimate goal in life was to change the world. After the outburst of laughter from all the rest of the soldiers ended, My Sergeant sat there with a confused expression but also said that it sounded like a good goal in life.
Fast forward almost 30 years… I was sitting at a table in the base food court and was approached by an older gentleman. He came up from behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. At first, I had no idea as to who he was. He asked if I remembered him. Not at all. He then told me his name…. It was my Drill Sergeant from a long time ago. I invited him to sit down and join me. We recapped some of the highlights of our careers. We were both retired from the military and I was in the process of retiring from federal law enforcement. He said that he remembered my speech like it was yesterday and that it had stuck with him throughout the years. He then asked if I had achieved my goal.
I stated that During my career (both army and civilian) I had been to about 28 states and 30 countries. If I could do something to make a positive change on someone, they in turn would do the same, causing a chain reaction of good deeds. With this… I have been a positive role model, mentor, teacher, leader and parent… every act I did, did just that… caused a chain reaction. I dedicated my life and career to public service… 11 years in the army (2 in communications and 9 with the Military Police). After my early retirement, I went on to serve as a US Federal Police Officer for 20 years. Over a 25 year span, I worked several positions, in community and international relations.
So yes I do believe that I was achieving my goal.
When my sergeant passed away, I was asked by his wife to speak at his funeral. This is when I addressed the crowd.
To start I asked if anyone has ever read or heard of a poem called the dash? Written by Linda Ellis. There are two important dates in a person’s live portrayed by simple numbers on a tombstone. There is the first- The date of Birth. A person’s date of birth does not always have to be the day when they took their first breath…. But when YOU started to live. The second- is the Date of Death…. Separating the two dates is a simple dash. This dash represents you as a person and how you lived your life. How people remember you when you are gone.
I want to leave a lasting impression by teaching the next generation to continue our mission.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I had a VERY bad upbringing, coming from a poor household in small town Kansas. I developed my sense of pride and generosity, because I know what it is like to not have anything. A comment was made by my step-father, that I would never amount to anything…… I swore that I would prove him wrong. I started out quiet and reserved and built myself into a recognized leader.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://IDA-Training.us
- Instagram: @internationaldiplomaticalliance.us
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17EvHwQ5AE/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrrod-crockett-msc-a9360b16
- Twitter: @CrockettJerrod
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/2nd4T_nWoj
