I currently reside in El Cajon, California but I originally hail from the Chicago area, it was there I started my Martial Arts study with a program called American Self Protection. It was the early 70’s, I was in high school, I got hooked for life. In the mid 70’s I shifted to the Oyama System, Kyokushinkai Karate studying under Shihan Sensei George Mueller. I was slow to climb the ranks but enjoyed the level of training and contact in sparring. There is, after all , something special about “natural environment” work-outs that just get the blood pumping, especially during those lovely Chicago winters. Shihan Sensei stopped teaching in the late 70’s, but his foundations are with me even today. In the late 70’s I attended college at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. This was where I was first introduced to American Kenpo.
After graduation and a few odd jobs, I joined the Navy in 1981 and landed in San Diego for a home port and I fortunately chose El Cajon as my home. During my time in the service I not only got to see the world but I got to train with a number of wonderful individuals I was stationed with at different times. This included Kyokushinkai Karate (once again), Shotokan Karate, American Kenpo, Shore Patrol School, and of course various military tactical training. It was a wonderful experience and a great deal of fun, the only drawback is that certificates of rank and many pictures were lost during several moves. The great part is that the memories and the knowledge are the most important and will forever be with me.
I left the Navy in 1987 to spend more time with my family, and in particular, more time with my son Stephen. At that time my son was four years old and we barely knew each other, it took us no time to remedy that. I decided to take a break from the Arts until 1989 when my son Steph showed an extraordinary interest in a local program called America’s Youth Karate.
Because of my son’s enthusiasm, this program, and two gentlemen in particular: Mr. Steve Eakins, and Mr. Paul Slush; I dove back into the Arts with what is to this day a fresh enthusiasm.
Over the past 17 years Steph and I have been pretty busy in the Arts, myself in particular. To date I have attained a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do under Sensei Paul Slush, A Black Belt in Tiger Crane Kenpo Karate under Grandmaster Michael Mounce, a third degree Black Belt in Golden Leopard Kenpo under Grandmaster Michael Fugate with whom I continue to train which includes Ryu Systems. I have a fifth degree Black Belt (Gabay) in Siete Pares Escrima under Grandmaster Bert Labitan with whom I also continue to train, and I am more than proud to say that I was a private student of the honorable Great Grandmaster Victor A. Hughes, Taisho D.O.C.S. Karate who promoted me to fifth degree Black Belt (Master) in Karate. I have also studied Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Arnis de Mano under Sifu Dwight Love and Sensei Paul Slush as well as Batangas Arnis and Doce Pares under Master Narrie Babao.
Somewhere along the way I found time to outline my own Martial Art, the A.D.C. Tactical Self Defense System. It is an eclectic, adaptive martial art with influences from Kyokushinkai Karate, Tang Soo Do, American Kenpo, D.O.C.S. Karate, and variations from Arnis and Escrima. I also specifically teach the Siete Pares Escrima System. It makes for interesting workouts.
I would like to thank all of my instructors, students, friends, and associates that I’ve had the pleasure to train with and know over the years, it has truly been a lot of fun. I also look forward to a future filled with friendship, association, and lots of ongoing training.
