The Personal Commando Protocol: Modern Special Forces Doctrine for personal Excellence In Executive Life

HON. MAJOR DR. DEEPAK RAO

Architect of Modern Close Combat • Pioneer of Modern Close-Quarter Battle Training • India’s Legendary Commando Trainer • Polymath • C-Suite Advisor • Executive Mentor • 5X TEDx Speaker • Author

Described by News18 as the “Architect of Modern Close Combat,” cited by the Ministry of Defense as a “Pioneer of Modern Close-Quarter Battle Training,” and recognised by the media as “India’s Legendary Commando Trainer,” Hon. Major Dr. Deepak Rao is a pioneering authority in Special Forces training, Close Combat Operations and elite human performance.

In 2011, the President of India conferred upon him the official rank of Honorary Major in the elite Parachute Regiment for decades of yeoman, selfless service to the Nation beyond the call of duty—an Honorary Commission bestowed to date upon only six Indian legends, including two Cricketers, two Olympians and one Superstar.

Over three decades, he has trained 25,000 troops across elite forces including Para SF, MARCOS, GARUD, NSG, R&AW and State ATS units, developing pioneering systems such as The Rao ACCS, Rao’s ABC and Rao Reflex Shooting. Following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Ministry of Home Affairs engaged his expertise as a national training resource to help upgrade Anti-Terror Squad capabilities across multiple Indian states.

A true polymath, Dr. Rao’s expertise spans Military Science, Medicine, Mind Sciences, Martial Arts and C-Suite Advisory. A highly sought-after strategic advisor and executive mentor, he brings four decades of experience across combat, medicine, leadership, psychology, human performance and strategic excellence to executive and personal transformation.

His signature masterclass, The Commando Protocol, translates Special Forces training and combat experience into a high-performance framework for executive leadership, resilience, decision-making, performance under pressure and personal excellence.

A medical graduate of King Edward Memorial Hospital, Dr. Rao has 40 years of clinical experience with VIP clientele and pioneered Concierge Medicine in India. His advanced education includes Harvard HMX, Stanford CHE, Mayo Clinic (CPD), American College of Sports Medicine, Wharton, Stanford CHE and MIT xPRO.

His expertise extends into Zen, Oriental Philosophy, Psychology and Mind Sciences, with advanced Samurai Rinzai Zen training in Japan, mindfulness practice across leading Zen centres in Asia, Harvard certification in “Buddhism Through Scriptures,” advanced hypnotherapy training under Dr. John Butler, and CBT training at the Beck Institute. He is the author of the pioneering work Zen Psychology: Unfreak Your Mind.

A recognised authority on Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, he has delivered 5X TEDx talks on ancient wisdom, modern leadership and strategy. He is also the author of the Corporate Powerplay Series, including Silicon Powerplay, AI Powerplay and Executive Powerplay. His works on geopolitical powerplay and military transformation have been archived by institutions including the FBI, INTERPOL, United Nations and the libraries of Buckingham Palace.

Hon. Major Dr. Deepak Rao stands at the intersection of Special Forces leadership, medicine, mind sciences and executive performance—advising, mentoring and transforming leaders at the highest levels.

Dr. Seema Rao is India’s first female Special Forces trainer, often referred to as India’s "Wonder Woman". The President of India conferred upon her the Nari Shakti National Award- the highest civilian honour for women in the democracy of India for being India's first woman commando trainer, a pioneer who paved the path for Indian women in combat roles.

Since 1994, She served as an external commando training resource, for the Indian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Indian Police Forces.

She, along with Deepak helped modernization of close-quarters battle training for corps battle schools in Army Commands.

Over a span of 30 years, her contributions to counter terror training have earned more than 100 government commendations.

Seema has completed executive education in Leadership from Westminster Business School and professional certification programs in Human rights from Stanford and Immunology from Harvard Medical School HMX.

She is widely regarded as a global icon of women’s empowerment. Ranked by Forbes as No 6 in Woman Power, listed in India Today Ultimate Power Women, voted ‘Woman We Love’ by Femina, selected as 1 of 14 most influential women in the world by BBC host Ruth Davidson, Indian Express ‘Dynamic Woman of the Year’, Reebok ‘Fit to Fight Woman of the Year’, Harper Bazaar's ‘Most Inspiring Woman’.

A 10-time TEDX speaker, a Mrs India World runner up, a film maker, Seema is an inspiration to crores of women worldwide as an epitome of empowerment to achieve maximum potential.

Dr. Seema is recognised among the world’s leading instructors in the art and philosophy of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do—the pioneering martial doctrine built on adaptability, efficiency, and agility. She has authored a authoritative book "She Powerplay" covering the rise of woman power in India.

Known internationally as the “Woman of Steel,” Dr. Komal Rao is a rare fusion of combat, medicine, psychology, performance and mindfulness. She made history by stepping into an MMA cage against a male opponent and emerging victorious. At Young Blood Night 9, when her scheduled opponent failed to appear, she accepted a challenge in a higher weight category and secured a second-round submission victory.

A certified Jeet Kune Do Instructor, Dr. Rao trained under Dr. Seema Rao and Major Deepak Rao, and subsequently earned Full Instructor certification from Grandmaster Richard Bustillo, one of Bruce Lee’s original students. She currently holds a Fifth-Degree Black Belt under UCCA.

Her interdisciplinary expertise spans Medicine, Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Naturopathy, Management and Human Performance. Her professional education includes Management Certification from Harvard Business School, Exercise Physiology certification through Stanford University, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy certification from the Beck Institute, and Professional Psychology certification through the American Psychological Association, alongside her medical and doctoral qualifications.

As Administrative Director of the Unconventional Commando Combat Academy (UCCA), Dr. Rao works alongside veteran and ex-Forces instructors in combat training, counter-terror preparedness and special operations. She is also the founder of a pioneering multidisciplinary combat-fitness academy, which evolved into CATS and KATA, carrying forward the legacy of martial arts and Jeet Kune Do training in Mumbai.

A 3X TEDx Speaker, she shares insights on Jeet Kune Do, martial-arts philosophy, mindfulness, human performance and personal development.

She is the author of Art of the Dragon for Women’s Safety and Unfreak Your Mind, "Gen Z Powerplay" integrating martial arts, psychology and mindfulness to promote empowerment, resilience and mental clarity.

Her achievements have earned recognition including the Woman Super Achiever Award at the 6th World Woman Leadership Congress and a Leadership Excellence Award.

Beyond the dojo and professional arena, Dr. Rao has also worked as an actress and sports model, including a lead role in the Indian action film Hathapayi, and featured in major campaigns including Volvo Cars’ #StandForSafety and the Horlicks Stand Strong Campaign initiative.

Dr. Komal Rao represents the convergence of physical strength, intellectual discipline and inner mastery.