My Karate study also started in 1965.  I initially studied Okinawan Isshin-Ryu Karate, but switched to Japanese Motobu Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do approximately a year later.  My Isshin-Ryu instructor was Arthur DeLosh, who claimed to have studied from Don Nagle.  My Shito-Ryu instructors over the years have included Carl Miller, Dr. Roy Creasy, Butch Velez, Richard Baillargeon, Albert C. Church, Jr., and Shogo Kuniba.  I earned my Shodan of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do in 1969. That same year I won both the kumite and kata championships at a major Seishinkai (Shito-Ryu) tournament.  The following year I again won the kata championship and took second in kumite, loosing only to Richard Baillargeon with a score of 2 to 1 in the final match.

It was 1969 when I first met Albert C. Church, Jr. at a tournament in Florence, South Carolina. Church lived many years in Japan and Korea and was a highly regarded senior instructor in several forms of Bu-Jutsu/Budo.  He taught the following: Shito-Ryu Karate-Do, Shorinji Tetsuken-Ryu Kempo Karate-Do, Kamishin-Ryu Ju-Jutsu, Judo, Shinken Taira style Kobudo, and Mugai-Ryu Iaido. Shorinji Tetsuken-Ryu Kempo Karate-Do also went by the Chinese name of Sau Lin Szu Chin Chen Chuan Fa, and the Korean name of So Rim Sa Churl Kwon Do).  Kamishin-Ryu Ju-Jutsu was a synthesis of Yoshin-Ryu Ju-Jutsu, Judo, Hakko-Ryu Ju-Jutsu, and Korean Hapkido.  I was one of his personal students for many years. He and I had organizational disagreements at one time, but reconciled prior to his sudden death in 1980.  During my time with Church, I was awarded Grandmaster of Sau Lin Szu Chin Chen Chuan Fa, Shihan-Shichidan of Shorinji Tetsuken-Ryu Kempo Karate-Do, Shihan-Shichidan of Kamishin-Ryu Ju-Jutsu, Sandan of Judo, Shodan of Shinken Taira style Kobudo, and Shodan of Mugai-Ryu Iaido.

Church had another student by the name of Tim Raynor who was a very accomplished Fu Jowel Pai Kung-Fu practitioner.  I studied from Tim as well. When he left the Navy and returned to the Norwich, Connecticut I visited him for additional training. Tim eventually promoted me to sixth degree black sash in Fu Jowel Pai. I lost track of Sifu Raynor in the late 70s, but recently (1999) made contact with him again.

Another interesting aside is that I was actually training in Church’s dojo in Charlestion, South Carolina when Rod Sacharnoski first walked in. This was sometime in the early 1970s.  I can’t remember the exact date. Church and Sacharnoski cooperated on a number of martial arts endeavors, especially in the Ju-Jutsu arena. I was a member of Sacharnoski’s Juko-Kai at one time, but resigned in the late 80s.

While attending the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (1969-70, and 1971-74) I took advantage of the opportunity to study Okinawan Seidokan Karate Kobudo under the guidance of Curtis Smith, from 1971-73. Seidokan was/is a composite system made up of Shorin-Ryu, Motobu-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, and Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu. Smith had just returned from a military assignment in Okinawa where he had studied under Shian (not Shihan) Toma, the style’s founder. When Smith graduated I took over the position of chief instructor for the club. I also started the University Judo and Ju-Jutsu club, and served as its chief instructor from 1971 until my graduation in 1974.

In the middle of my university studies, I attended Ricks College (1970-71) in Rexburg, Idaho. I had never been to the northwest and wanted to see the grandeur of that region of the United States. Ricks was my choice because I was able to get a job teaching Karate for the college. There I met and trained with two Chinese students (Danny Pan and Wilson Tsu), both from Hong Kong. Sifu Pan was a Hong Chuan (Hong Quan) Gung-Fu and Tai Chi Chuan (Chen style) practitioner, and Sifu Tsu was a Wing Chun Gung-Fu practitioner. I studied all three, but particularly liked the Hong Chuan style and put most of his efforts into learning it. After a year of study I was awarded the title of “Boxer” with accompanying certification. I still practice San So, the main Hong Chuan form, to this day. But, admittedly stopped practicing Tai Chi many years ago.

I was a member of the North Carolina Army National Guard from 1971-75. In 1975 I joined the Air Force. My first Air Force assignment found me at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. I taught Karate on base and was active with the Goldsboro Athletic (boxing) Club. I continued my competitive career winning and/or placing in numerous Karate tournaments throughout the southeast. It was also during this time that I trained extensively with Butch Velez in Shito-Ryu Karate, Kobudo, and Goshin Budo. I had the good fortune of training with Shogo Kuniba, at Sensei Velez’s dojo, on many occasions.

I was reassigned to Yokota Air Base, Fussa City, Tokyo, Japan in 1980. While in Japan I studied and taught Seidokan Karate Kobudo. Due to Yokota being a military air transportation hub, I was able to make numerous visits to Okinawa. In Okinawa I trained directly under Shian Toma, progressed steadily and earned my Shihan Menkyo (master’s certificate). Just before my departure from Japan in 1983, Shian Toma promoted me to Shichidan of Okinawan Seidokan Karate Kobudo. I eventually went on to earn Hachidan-Tasshi in Seidokan Karate Kobudo. I have also been awarded Hachidan of Toide (Okinawan grappling), and Shihan Menkyo in Okinawan Kobu-Jutsu (includes Iai-Jutsu waza of Motobu-Ryu), from Shian Toma. In 1996 he appointed me the Kaicho (Director) of the Seidokan Shihan Kai (the Seidokan instructors’ association), a position I have since resigned from.

While in Japan I took the opportunity to study at some other dojos in the Tokyo area. Most notably was Gogen Yamaguchi’s Goju-Ryu dojo in the Yoyogi district. My good friend and superb Goju-Ryu stylist, Dave Figel, took me there. I trained there for about a month. Unfortunately, it was just too far away from Yokota to make continued practice possible.  However, my study there and association with members of the Goju-Kai did lead me to change how I performed Naha-te kata from the Shito-Ryu method to the Goju-Ryu way.

I was a member of the U. S. military team that competed in the International Military Friendship Karate Tournament at the Budokan, Tokyo. As best as I can recall, this would have been about 1982. The U. S. “A” team took fourth place which was quite an accomplishment considering the fact that the team was pulled together rather quickly. I was the anchorman on the “A” team.

My Ju-Jutsu training also continued while in Japan. I studied Hakko-Ryu Ju-Jutsu at the style’s Hombu (headquarters) in Omiya for three years. My instructors included the style’s founder Ryuho Okuyama, the Hombu chief instructor Yasuhiro Irie (founded Kokodo Ju-Jutsu following Okuyama’s death), Segawa Sensei (founded Shin-Ryu Ju-Jutsu following Okuyama’s death), Okawa Sensei, and Waka Sensei (the founder’s son and present Soke of Hakko-Ryu). But, my principle instructor was Yasuhiro Irie. Just prior to my departure in 1983, I was awarded Shihan Menkyo in Hakko-Ryu Ju-Jutsu. Ryuho Okuyama personally presided over the test and presented me with my credentials. Irie Sensei told me that this was the last Shihan training that Ryuho Okuyama presided over. I also received special certification in Taiho-Jutsu (police arrest and restraint techniques) from the Hakko-Ryu Hombu.

At Shian Toma’s encouragement, I took up the study of Aikido through the Aikikai. Toma Sensei said that it would improve my footwork and the kansetsu waza (joint locking techniques) were similar to Toide/Tuite. My instructors included Shihans Ida and Ishima. Ida Sensei also instructed me in Iaido. Unfortunately, I never learned exactly what style of Iaido, because Ida passed away from a sudden illness. I earned my Shodan in the Aikikai’s method of Aikido in 1982. I eventually went on to earn my Yondan in Aikido through the Dai Nippon Seibukan Budo Bugei Kai many years later.

In the 1980s I worked extensively with the Winnebago County, Illinois Sheriff’s Department in developing their police defensive tactics program. I worked mainly with Deputy Sheriff Jim Falzone. In recognition of my efforts Sheriff Gasparinni appointed me the Commissioner of Police Defensive Tactics and a Deputy Sheriff.

From Japan I moved to England in 1983. In England I taught Karate, Kobudo, and Ju-Jutsu at a variety of locations. I also taught Taiho-Jutsu regularly to members of the Suffolk Constabulary. In that capacity I was actually a part of the Constabulary’s training department, a first for an American. The course I taught within was called the “Probationary Officers” course. It was for those officers that had completed their police academy program and been working in the field for a year. I received a special commendation from the Suffolk Constabulary for the many hours of instruction I provided over nearly three years.

I also was a member of Jim Shortt’s Combat Training Team, and taught close-quarter-battle (hand-to-hand combat, knife fighting, and bayonet fencing), combat survival, and combat medicine (self aid-buddy care) to NATO forces in Europe. Working with both Lucien Ott and Jim Shortt, within the International Bodyguard Association/Defense Security organization, I traveled extensively teaching bodyguard techniques. Lucien Ott, a legend in the European martial arts, military, and security community, awarded me a Rokudan in police defensive techniques and appointed me a Commissioner in his Defense Security organization. With Jim Shortt, I studied Ryoi Shinto Ryu/Fukuno Ryu Ju-Jutsu progressing steadily until I was awarded Menkyo Kaiden (All Passed Certificate), Hanshi, and Hachidan in 1998.

Sometime during this period, I met Sensei Robert Teller. Sensei Teller was then a Shorin-Ryu and Seidokan practitioner with extensive Ufuchiku Kobudo training. Sensei Teller was a gracious instructor and was kind enough to teach me Ufuchiku Kobudo. Bob had studied Ufuchiku Kobudo under Masanobu Kina (deceased). Masanobu Kina was the nephew of Shosei Kina (direct student of Sanda “Ufuchiku” Kanagusuku). Some years later Sensei Teller joined Oyata’s Okinawa Kempo group. It was at Bob's 1986 international Seidokan clinic that Shian Toma promoted me to Hachidan and Tasshi of Seidokan Karate Kobudo.

Also while in Europe (1980-83), I had the opportunity to work with Boulafah Mimoun Abel-Lah. Mimoun, a Goju-Ryu Karate-Do practitioner (among other things), assisted me in my study of Goju-Ryu. With Mimoun's help my Goju-Ryu transformation was complete. We also worked together in promoting Seidokan Karate Kobudo throughout Europe. Mimoun is now a prominent figure in the Seidokan, Goju-Ryu, and Motobu-Ryu communities.

Another significant person that I worked with in Europe was Dr. Stephen Chan. Stephen is a university professor and very well known in the academic community. It was with Stephen that I traveled to central Africa and taught on two separate occasions. Stephen and I continue to work closely together to this day. I have returned to Great Britain on numerous occasions to teach courses at the University of Kent, Canterbury, England and Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Stephen too is a prominent figure in the Seidokan communtiy.

After my assignment in England, I moved to San Antonio, Texas. While there I taught Judo and Ju-Jutsu at one of the city's YMCAs for three years. I also taught Karate to military personnel. Through the liaison efforts of George Parulski, the Dai Nippon Seibukan Budo Bugei Kai awarded Shichidan of Goju-Ryu Karate to me during this time (1987). This assignment was very challenging because I spent a great deal of time in the field. I also spent a lot of time preparing for and completing various parachute, helicopter assault, and combat control courses.

From Texas it was on to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia for a year. My military job was in a headquarters and wasn't as demanding as the previous one. I taught Seidokan Karate Kobudo, Goju-Ryu Karate-Do, Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu, and Hakko-Ryu Ju-Jutsu at Dr. Mike Nemeth's dojo in Poquoson. I have known and trained with Mike since we were both teenagers in North Carolina.

I lived for approximately two years in Izmir, Turkey (1990-91) during the Gulf War. In Turkey I had the good fortune to meet Adnan Safak Yuksel. Mr. Yuksel was a Tae Kwon Do practitioner who requested to study from me. M r. Yuksel studied Seidokan Karate Kobudo, Goju-Ryu Karate-Do, Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu, and Ju-Jutsu from me for hundreds of hours. Today he is a prominent instructor and official of the Turkish Karate Federation.

After Turkey it was back to Virginia where I continued to teach Seidokan Karate Kobudo, Goju-Ryu Karate-Do, Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu, and Hakko-Ryu Ju-Jutsu. During this time I was deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. Returning from Somalia, I took thirty days leave and traveled to Okinawa for some rest and relaxation.  There I spent my time training with Seiki Toma (Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo), Takahiro Shinjo (Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu), Yoshio Kuba (Goju-Ryu)and Shian Toma (Seidokan).  While there Seiki Toma evaluated my technique and awarded me Hachidan and Kyoshi of Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do. This was a real honor because Seiki Toma was a direct student of Chotoku Kyan and Zenryo Shimabuku, as well as the former teacher of Shian Toma and Seikichi Odo. Takahiro Shinjo awarded me his group’s Shihan Menkyo along with a special training certificate.  Shinjo’s Ryukyu Dento Karate-Do Hamabaru Rensei Kai practices Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, and Kobudo.

Completing my tour of duty in Virginia, I was then transferred to Panama. In Panama (1994-95) I taught Seidokan Karate Kobudo, Goju-Ryu Karate-Do, and Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu. I also trained regularly with members of the Japan Karate-Do Federation Itosu-Kai (Shito-Ryu) of Panama, particularly Sensei Stavros Costarangos. I trained regularly with Sensei Costarangos in Karate, Kobudo, and Toyama-Ryu Batto (Iai-Jutsu). Whenever Fumio Demura traveled to Panama to conduct seminars, I also trained with him. It was from Sensei Costarangos and Demura that I learned the complete kata syllabus of Toyama-Ryu Batto. Furthermore, I trained occasionally with Sensei Carlos Martinez of the International Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF).

Leaving Panama it was on to Fort Walton Beach, Florida (1995-97) and a job with the Air Force Special Operations Command. There I taught Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu at Sensei Ed Erb’s Southeast Shotokan Karate Association dojo. I also was a guest Goju-Ryu instructor at Sensei Rich Alley’s IOGKF Goju-Ryu class in the same dojo. It was during this time that I met and trained with Sensei Tony Willis. Tony was another guest Goju-Ryu instructor affiliated with Anyu Shinjo’s Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Goyu-Kai. When a group of visiting instructors from the Goyu-Kai visited, I taught them Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu at their request.  During this time the Dai Nippon Seibukan Budo Bugei Kai promoted me to Hachidan and Hanshi of Goju-Ryu Karate-Do. I again visited Okinawa and trained with Shian Toma in 1996. During that visit I was appointed the Kaicho (Director) of the Seidokan Shihan Kai (the Seidokan instructors’ association).

In 1997 it was off to another tour in Japan. This time it was the Tohoku (northern) region of Japan, specifically Misawa. Shortly after my arrival I visited and was accepted into the Japanese Air Self Defense Forces Karate Club. I worked with club members as a guest instructor, mainly teaching Goju-Ryu Karate-Do and Kobudo/Kobu-Jutsu. I also demonstrated at the 23rd and 24th Japanese military's Tohoku regional championships.

My experiences with Japanese military karate practitioners was very rewarding. They invited me to numerous events as a distinguished visitor. It was truly wonderful. I dontinued my visits to Okinawa while assigned to Misawa.

In the Ju-Jutsu arena I made numerous trips down to Omiya, from Misawa, to train with Yasuhiro Irie in Kokodo Ju-Jutsu. This culminated in my being awarded Menkyo Kaiden (All Passed Certificate) of Kokodo Ju-Jutsu, by Irie Sensei, in 1998. Menkyo Kaiden is the highest level obtainable in Kokodo Ju-Jutsu, as is the tradition in ko-ryu ju-jutsu.

In January/February of 1999 I again visited Okinawa. While there I visited with Seiki Toma (Shorin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo), Seikichi Odo (Rykyu Hon Kenpo and Kobudo), and Shian Toma (Seidokan Karate & Kobudo). In May of 1999 I returned to Okinawa and again trained with Seiki Toma, Seikichi Odo, and Shian Toma. Seiki Toma worked with me on Shorin-Ryu kata, Kobudo, Tuite/Toide (grappling), and Goshin-Jutstu. Seikichi Odo worked with me on Kobudo (kama, tekko, sai, bo, and rochin-tinbe), as well as Hakutsuru kata. Shian Toma reviewed my kata as well. At the conclusion of my trip Seiki Toma, Judan-Hanshi and Kaicho, Shorin-Ryu Seidokan Karate-Do Kyokai, promoted me to Judan-Hanshi in Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do.

I was reassigned to Beale Air Force Base, California in the summer of 1999. Shortly thereafter I was asked by Eiko Miyazato (direct student of Chojun Miyagi, Juhatsu Kiyoda, Kentsu Yabu, Ranho Maezato, etc.) to be an Advisor to his Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate Kenpo Renmei (OGKKR), and a Member of the Board of Directors of his U.S. Branch organization headed by Mike Jones. Of course, I accepted, and was awarded Hachidan in Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate Kenpo by Eiko Miyazato. Then a great tragedy hit, Eiko Miyazato and his son Eizo, were killed in an earthquake in Taiwan. The OGKKR was passed down to Sensei Jones through Eiko Miyazato’s will. I now serve on the OGKKR Board of Directors.

Although I've studied a number of different fighting arts, today my martial arts endeavors center around Okinawan/Japanese Budo and Bugei. As a result, my credentials of note (in my opinion) are as follows: