This article reprinted from USA * Dojo.com
USADOJO: When did you start training in the Martial Arts?
I started training in Arnis in 1980 while in the Air Force in the Philippines.
USADOJO: What was it like training in the Philippines?
The training was excellent, my instructor "Ernie" was a very talented martial artist and helped me develop my basics. Ernie was also an excellent resource to other martial artists in South East Asia, Ernie set up a training session with other martial artists at Bases in Japan and Korea. In the eighteen months I was at Clark Air Base, I went to two 5-day training camps, one at a base in Okinawa and one at a base near Seoul Korea. It opened my eyes to what the Martial Arts had to offer.
USADOJO: After you left the Philippines did you stay with the Martial Arts?
Yes, I was stationed at Wurthsmith Air Force Base Michigan, I found a karate instructor as soon as I got there. Sensei Bob was also in the Security Police, and he taught a Korean Martial Art, Moo Duk Kwan. I trained and competed in local tournaments for the two years I was at Wurthsmith Air Force Base; until I got out of the Air Force in 1984 and came to California.
USADOJO: Why did you come to California?
I was pursuing my goal of becoming a civilian police officer. I was hired at Los Angeles Air Force Base as a contract Security Police Sergeant in 1985. While I was working at Los Angeles Air Force Base, I met my primary Karate instructor, Michael "Jesus" Sanchez. Kyoshi was a USA Goju practitioner who studied with Master Urban and Aaron Banks in New York. I soon became his number one student, and before long I moved into his home where I was training every waking moment.
I learned more about Budo in the three years I lived with Kyoshi than any other time in my Martial Arts career. I continued to train with Kyoshi for a total of seven years until he moved to Central California.
USADOJO: So when did you get your Black Belt?
I trained for about eight years before I earned my Black Belt. I trained with Kyoshi in USA Goju for 4 years before I tested for Shodan. The ranking system in the late 70's and early 80's was a little different that it is now; it took a lot longer to earn a Black Belt.
USADOJO: Who else have you trained with?
After Kyoshi Sanchez, I trained with Grand Master Gene Brigham in Moreno Valley California, by the way, I was stationed with then Sensei Brigham at Clark Air Base in 1980, however he was an established Black Belt and I did not do much training with him at Clark.
I also had the pleasure of training with the late Dr. Otto Johnson in American Wado Ryu. Hanshi Otto was a very large man, 6'8" and about 320 lbs; but don't let his size fool you, he was the 1980 Japanese Wado Ryu Champion, and could rock and roll. I liked training with him, it was like going to big mans camp.
I met Dr. George Alexander while assisting Hanshi Otto Johnson shoot his Wado Video's in Florida. I was intrigued with Hanshi Alexander's Okinawa Hakutsuru Kenpo system; it seemed to flow like Goju and it fit my lengthy frame. Hanshi Alexander frequently made trips to California, and I was his Uke every chance I had; I really enjoyed working with Hanshi Alexander and I sponsored seminars for him to keep him coming back to California.
For the last four, going on five years I have been training with Sensei David Dye; Sensei Dye is a retired Costa Mesa Police Officer that has been involved in the Martial Arts for nearly 50 years, and he understands what police officers need in training and has been a great teacher and mentor in my martial arts career.
Sensei Dye's mentoring, leadership, and excellence over the last five years has significantly influenced my growth as a Martial Artist. As an example of Sensei Dye's mentoring, I have grown in my martial arts abilities, resulting in the development of Shudokan Ryu Taiho Jutsu where he acts as my Executive Advisor on the Shudokan Advisory Council.
My current training partners and co-founders of the Shudokan are Jeffery Anderson and Robert Posslenzny; both are excellent leaders and martial artists.
USADOJO: What was the key lesson you learned from each of your primary instructors?
WOW, what a great question. Besides the kicking and punching; with Kyoshi Sanchez, I learned to trust my instincts. As I said before, I learned more about being a Warrior from Kyoshi Sanchez than anyone else.
With Hanshi Otto Johnson, it was defiantly how to use my power as a big man. Hanshi Otto Johnson's power was something, when he hit you; you felt it for about a week.
And with Hanshi George Alexander, I learned not to compromise my values in my business endeavors. Hanshi Alexander is an astute business man and has built a martial arts network rivaled by few. His demonstration of leadership and his commitment to excellence is how great masters are measured.
I might add Dr. Otto Johnson as well as Dr. George Alexander has shown me the path of scholarship in the Martial Arts.
Dr. Alexander and Dr. Otto Johnson earned their PhD's from accredited Post Graduate institutions. Because of their leadership, I am now on a quest for my Masters Degree in Liberal Arts at the University of Southern California.
Their leadership and mentoring were instrumental in my educational aspirations. Who knows, maybe there is a PhD somewhere in my future.
USADOJO: Describe Shudokan Ryu Taiho Jutsu.
Hmm, where do I start? Well modern Taiho Jutsu was started in 1947 by the Tokyo Police Department. The system of Taiho Jutsu in Japan has very little to do with the Police Techniques used in the USA today. So to make this system work in the USA we adapted it to our environment.
The techniques taught at the Shudokan are Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) approved. We do not teach anything that we can not use as a police officer on the street, we are giving Police Officers and Military members the tools needed to be effective in their chosen career.
USADOJO: Do you compete in Martial Arts Tournaments?
I have had the pleasure to compete in tournaments in Philippines, Spain, Panama, Canada and all over the United States over the past 26 years.
I still compete, however I only compete in the Western States Police and Fire Games once a year; it's like the Police Olympics. I like to compete with my law enforcement peers. Over the past 8 years I have earned 9 Medals in martial arts events.
I think this will be my last year competing. However I want to bring a new group of Police Martial Artist to the Games to compete and I will win as a coach.
USADOJO: Who had the most influence in your martial arts development?
There are three people that have had the greatest influence in my Martial Arts development; Kyoshi Sanchez who taught me the true meaning of Budo; Hanshi George Alexander, who taught me that leadership and excellence in the Martial Arts, can cross over into my business endeavors. Sensei David has been a mentor who took me into his Martial Arts family with open arms; he has shown me the way to higher responsibility in the Martial Arts Community.
USADOJO: Higher Responsibility in the Martial Arts, can you explain?
It's my pleasure; I want you to look out in the future, 20 years from now. What do you do as a warrior when you can not fight anymore? Sit around and tell others how good a fighter you were? Or do you use your training and experiences to develop others? I want to develop others.
In 2006 I was given the opportunity to buy the Master Hall of Fame from Elder Grand Master Steven Spry, I jumped at the prospect.
With the lessons I learned from my mentors, I armed myself to be an agent of change. I stream-lined the organization and instituted several new programs to increase the quality of nominees that were nominated for induction.
We changed the motto to "Recognizing Leadership in the Martial Arts Community." The Board Members inducted a record number of inductees in 2006; it was a record year for the Masters Hall of Fame.
The 2007 Masters Hall of Fame event promises to even be better than 2006 with the addition of a Guest Speaker to the program. This year "Big" John McCarthy will address the future of Martial Arts during the awards ceremony.
USADOJO: Who can be inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame?
The Martial Artists inducted by the Masters Hall of Fame are the next generation of leaders in the Martial Arts Community. They are Martial Artists that are teaching in Community and Youth Centers, or after school programs. Others are tenured Masters that continue to lead by example, mentoring today's youth.
The Masters Hall of Fame recognizes leadership in the Martial Arts Community; you do not need to be a famous actor or a martial arts icon to be a leader in the martial arts. We want to recognize the martial arts leaders that are making a difference today.
USADOJO: What does the Masters Hall of Fame do?
As I mentioned earlier, the Masters Hall of Fame's mission is to recognize excellence in the martial arts by developing leadership and excellence in our students.
I have been very blessed in my martial arts journey; I plan on giving others the opportunity to have the same experiences and opportunities that were made available to me by my mentors and instructors. With the continued developments in the Masters Hall of Fame, I will have a vehicle to do just that.
USADOJO: You competed in tournaments in Philippines, Spain, Panama, Canada and the USA, what was your favorite memory?
That's easy, by far it was Panama Shodokan Internationals in 1991, I was on Temporary Duty Assignment at Howard Air Force Base during Desert Storm. As soon as I arrived at Howard AFB I found a karate school to train with, while I was there I went to the Internationals with the base karate team.
Karate in Panama is like Soccer in Mexico or Baseball in the United States, the crowds were huge; it was a spectator sport. The fans in the audience came just to watch the tournament; it was like taking your children to a ball game here in the US, the environment was awesome.
During the finals, I was fighting a well known local fighter for Grand Champion. The crowd was electric, chanting my competitors name, stomping their feet to the music, in this huge arena.
I remember standing in front of my opponent; I could hardly hear the center judge. The fighting was hard and fast and there was no room for error, in the end the local fighter won the match. What a great experience.
The only thing that would have made this better is if I would have won the Grand Championship. More importantly, I have an experience that will stay with me forever.
USADOJO: Give us an element of your training you believe best prepared you for Police Work.
Dedication, to be effective a Martial Artist as well as a Police Officer you need dedication with the confidence to do what you know is right.
USADOJO: Sensei, some closing thoughts to our readers.
The one lesson you can take away from this article that is the same for the new martial artist as well as seasoned veterans:
Be goal driven, and never give up on your aspirations. The fact of the matter is if you believe you can accomplish something, or doubt your ability to accomplish the same task, you will be right.
USADOJO: THANK YOU MASTER HECT
This article reprinted from USA * Dojo.com
