TRT INSTITUTE
Become a TRT Instructor Couple
Prepare to teach Tactical Relationship Training™ through structured learning, live coaching, guided teaching practice, and continued development.
TRT Instructor Development is designed for experienced law enforcement couples who want to help officers and spouses understand the profession, strengthen communication, build resilience, and protect what matters most.
Two cohorts begin each year: May and November.
May Cohort Applications Due March 31
November Cohort Applications Due September 30
Applications are completed together as a couple.
WHY TEACH TRT?
Help Other Couples Understand What the Profession Changes
Law enforcement couples often spend years trying to navigate pressure they were never taught to recognize.
When officers and spouses begin to understand how the profession affects communication, connection, recovery, and family life, many of the patterns that once felt personal begin to make sense.
TRT Instructor Couples help create those moments of understanding. They use lived experience, practical tools, guided conversations, and the Tactical Relationship Training™ methodology to help other couples recognize what is happening, respond differently, and strengthen their relationship together.
Your experience can help another law enforcement couple feel understood, equipped, and less alone.
THE INSTRUCTOR ROLE
Law Enforcement Couples Teaching Law Enforcement Couples
TRT Instructor Couples lead practical, interactive learning experiences for officers and spouses. They teach together, guide meaningful conversations, demonstrate practical tools, and help participants apply the methodology to real life.
Because they bring both the officer and spouse perspectives into the room, participants learn from couples who understand the profession from both sides.
Teach the Methodology
Deliver the official Tactical Relationship Training™ curriculum clearly, consistently, and
professionally.
Facilitate the Experience
Guide discussion, reflection, couple activities, demonstrations, and practical application.
Share Both Perspectives
Help participants understand how the profession affects both the officer and the spouse.
THE TRT INSTITUTE
Developing and Supporting TRT Instructor Couples
The TRT Institute develops, certifies, supports, and evaluates TRT Instructor Couples.
It prepares qualified law enforcement couples to teach Tactical Relationship Training™ while maintaining the consistency, quality, culture, and long-term impact of the methodology wherever it is delivered.
qualified Instructor Couples.
the integrity of the methodology.
continued instructor growth.
readiness, quality, and impact.
INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT
Learn to Teach TRT Well
TRT Instructor Development is a six-month online certification program completed together as a couple. Couples develop both individual facilitation skills and a coordinated approach to teaching together.
Learn
Build a strong understanding of the TRT methodology, language, tools, and learning experience.
Practice
Complete guided assignments and develop a coordinated teaching approach as a couple.
Receive
Learn through live coaching, instructor guidance, and practical evaluation.
Teach
Apply the methodology through guided teaching opportunities and real-world practice.
Demonstrate
Complete the final knowledge and teaching evaluation required for certification.
PROGRAM EXPERIENCE
What to Expect During Instructor Development
Instructor Development is designed to provide structure, flexibility, accountability, and practical teaching experience.
Couples complete the program online while participating in live cohort sessions, coaching, assignments, and guided practice throughout the six-month experience.
This is not a self-directed certification completed in isolation. Couples learn, practice, and grow together within a cohort.
- Six-month online certification program
- Self-paced learning modules
- Monthly live cohort sessions
- Guided discussion and coaching
- Practice teaching assignments
- Feedback from certified instructors
- Final teaching evaluation
- Continued development after certification
COHORT SCHEDULE
Two Opportunities to Begin Each Year
TRT Instructor Development cohorts begin in May and November.
Applications, references, and interviews must be completed before the application deadline for each cohort.
May Cohort
Application review and interviews take place in April.
November Cohort
Application review and interviews take place in October.
Accepted couples are placed in the upcoming cohort based on qualifications, completed application materials, readiness, and available capacity.
Applications received after a deadline may be considered for the next cohort.
INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Built for Experienced Law Enforcement Couples
TRT Instructor Development is designed for established law enforcement couples who understand the profession firsthand and are ready to develop the skills required to teach together. Applicants do not need to arrive with every teaching skill fully developed.
They do need relevant law enforcement experience, a healthy and growing relationship, a strong personal and professional reputation, and a willingness to receive coaching, feedback, and evaluation.
View Instructor Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Apply as a married couple
- Have at least one spouse who is a current or retired law enforcement officer
- Have at least five years of law enforcement service
- Have at least five years of marriage as a law enforcement couple
- Demonstrate a healthy and growing relationship
- Maintain a strong personal and professional reputation
- Be willing to teach and facilitate together
- Be open to coaching, feedback, and evaluation
- Agree to teach the official TRT methodology
- Be available for cohort sessions, assignments, and teaching practice
- Commit to continued development and annual renewal after certification
Applicants provide professional and personal references as part of the couple application.
References should be able to speak to the couple’s character, relationship, leadership, professional reputation, and readiness to teach together.
INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS
What We Look for in Instructor Couples
Integrity
You live what you teach. Your marriage reflects the values you'll ask others to adopt. You're willing to be honest about your own journey, including the hard parts.
Coachability
You receive feedback without defensiveness. You see critique as data. You understand that becoming a great instructor requires being a perpetual student first.
Partnership
Both of you are all in; not just one partner carrying the other. TRT requires genuine co-leadership as two voices, two perspectives, one unified presence in the room.
Professionalism
You represent TRT and the law enforcement profession wherever you go. You hold confidentiality sacred. You show up prepared, present, and accountable.
THE PROCESS
From Application to Certification
The process helps both the applicant couple and the TRT Institute determine readiness, fit, and continued development needs.
Apply as a Couple
Submit one application that includes information from both spouses, professional and personal references, and your preferred cohort.
Complete an Interview
Selected applicants meet with the TRT Institute to discuss experience, expectations, availability, and readiness.
Join a Cohort
Accepted couples begin with either the May or November Instructor Development cohort.
Complete Instructor Development
Work through self-paced learning, monthly cohort sessions, coaching, and practice teaching assignments.
Teach and Receive Feedback
Demonstrate understanding of the methodology and develop practical facilitation skills through guided teaching practice.
Complete the Final Evaluation
Complete the required knowledge and teaching evaluation.
Receive Certification
Couples who demonstrate readiness receive TRT Instructor certification and authorization.
May cohort applications are due March 31.
November cohort applications are due September 30.
Travel or event-related expenses connected to practicum or teaching experiences may be separate and will be communicated in advance.
AFTER CERTIFICATION
Continue Learning. Begin Teaching.
Certified TRT Instructor Couples remain connected to the TRT Institute through annual renewal, curriculum updates, continuing education, coaching, evaluation, and collaboration with other instructors.
Teaching opportunities may include agency classes, academies, summits, conferences, retreats, and other approved TRT experiences.
Opportunities are based on experience, readiness, availability, regional needs, and the requirements of each event.
Service Model
TRT Instructor Couples do not charge a speaker fee.
Approved host partners cover instructor travel and event-related expenses for each scheduled experience.
Prepared through development. Strengthened through practice. Supported through continued growth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions we hear most often.
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Do both spouses complete Instructor Development?
Yes. TRT is built around a couple-led instructional model. Both spouses complete the application, development process, assignments, and evaluation together.
When do cohorts begin?
Instructor Development cohorts begin twice each year, in May and November.
When are applications due?
Applications for the May cohort are due March 31.
Applications for the November cohort are due September 30.
How long does Instructor Development take?
Instructor Development is a six-month online certification program. Final certification timing may vary based on completion of assignments, practical teaching experience, and demonstrated readiness.
Are references required?
Yes. Applicants provide professional and personal references as part of the couple application.
Do we need previous teaching experience?
Previous teaching, training, facilitation, or public-speaking experience is helpful but not required.
Applicants must be willing to practice, receive feedback, and develop their teaching skills throughout the program.
Is certification guaranteed?
No. Completion of Instructor Development does not automatically guarantee certification. Couples must demonstrate the knowledge, facilitation skills, professionalism, and teaching readiness required to represent Tactical Relationship Training™.
Are TRT Instructor Couples paid?
TRT Instructor Couples do not charge a speaker fee.
Approved host partners cover instructor travel and event-related expenses.
Can we teach TRT independently?
No. Official Tactical Relationship Training™ experiences are coordinated and authorized through the TRT Institute.
Can Instructor Couples change the curriculum?
Instructor Couples may use approved personal stories and examples, but the official TRT methodology, curriculum, language, and participant experience must remain consistent.
What is required after certification?
Certified Instructor Couples participate in annual renewal, continuing education, curriculum updates, ongoing evaluation, and instructor collaboration.
What happens if a cohort is full?
Qualified couples may be placed in the next available cohort.
may & NOVEMBER COHORTS
Ready to Become a TRT Instructor Couple?
TRT Instructor Development is designed for experienced law enforcement couples who are ready to learn, practice, receive feedback, and teach together.
Submit one application as a couple. The application includes information from both spouses, professional and personal references, and your preferred cohort.
May cohort applications are due March 31.
November cohort applications are due September 30.
Selected couples will be invited to complete an interview before cohort placement is finalized.
