Matt Stone
Master of Arts
A couple of notes (sorry to chime in so late in the discussion)...
1) Anyone claiming to be the head anything on a military installation should immediately send up red flags... The military is simply not allowed to endorse, nor appear to endorse, any one particular person, their methods, etc. The military is a branch of the Government, and the Government cannot, because of a host of reasons embodied in federal law, appear to favor one "something" over any other "something." This is why federal contracts are handed out to multiple manufacturers, service providers, etc. When someone teaches martial arts on a military installation, they have been contracted by the installation's contracting office (be it sports, kids' programs, etc.) to provide services in exchange for a fee. Typically for the Army, these instructors are contracted through the fitness center to provide classes as an adjunct to fitness development. I've taught at Fort Riley (Kansas), Camp Zama (Japan), and Fort Lewis (Washington), and have never ever heard of anyone being the "head instructor" for an installation. There simply aren't enough coordinated classes (even when there are multiple classes, each class is sovereign unto its own instructor; they aren't coordinated under a "head instructor") to require one "head" instructor to supervise them all. Instructors are supervised by the staff of the facility they are contracted to work in/out of (e.g. the gym, the recreation center, etc.).
2) Regrettably, in the case of Mr. Castro (mentioned above), much of his recognition stems from organizations that have been identified as being, at the very least, questionable in intent if not out and out belt/rank mills. I have never been witness to "hands on" demonstrations of Mr. Castro's skills. I have seen him perform kata, and I assisted him in providing instruction to the military police on Camp Zama at a one day seminar. Out of politeness (and a personal policy to stay clear of sniping at specific individuals and instead addressing larger, more generalized topics; I've already earned one set of internet stalkers threatening my life because I questioned a specific individual, I have no need of earning more) I refrain from making public commentary regarding my opinions of his technique. Suffice it to say that I was not interested in joining his organization nor his class, and instead pursued training elsewhere under other instructors.
I have met several people laying claim to extremely high rank in multiple arts. In 100% of those meetings, I have had serious doubts as to the authenticity of the ranks, and have had occasion to question the degree of their skill as well. I make a point not to discuss my rank (it doesn't matter anyway), and instead focus not on my opponent/training partner's rank but rather their skills and abilities as demonstrated on the mat. That's the only real test anyway, right?
I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...
1) Anyone claiming to be the head anything on a military installation should immediately send up red flags... The military is simply not allowed to endorse, nor appear to endorse, any one particular person, their methods, etc. The military is a branch of the Government, and the Government cannot, because of a host of reasons embodied in federal law, appear to favor one "something" over any other "something." This is why federal contracts are handed out to multiple manufacturers, service providers, etc. When someone teaches martial arts on a military installation, they have been contracted by the installation's contracting office (be it sports, kids' programs, etc.) to provide services in exchange for a fee. Typically for the Army, these instructors are contracted through the fitness center to provide classes as an adjunct to fitness development. I've taught at Fort Riley (Kansas), Camp Zama (Japan), and Fort Lewis (Washington), and have never ever heard of anyone being the "head instructor" for an installation. There simply aren't enough coordinated classes (even when there are multiple classes, each class is sovereign unto its own instructor; they aren't coordinated under a "head instructor") to require one "head" instructor to supervise them all. Instructors are supervised by the staff of the facility they are contracted to work in/out of (e.g. the gym, the recreation center, etc.).
2) Regrettably, in the case of Mr. Castro (mentioned above), much of his recognition stems from organizations that have been identified as being, at the very least, questionable in intent if not out and out belt/rank mills. I have never been witness to "hands on" demonstrations of Mr. Castro's skills. I have seen him perform kata, and I assisted him in providing instruction to the military police on Camp Zama at a one day seminar. Out of politeness (and a personal policy to stay clear of sniping at specific individuals and instead addressing larger, more generalized topics; I've already earned one set of internet stalkers threatening my life because I questioned a specific individual, I have no need of earning more) I refrain from making public commentary regarding my opinions of his technique. Suffice it to say that I was not interested in joining his organization nor his class, and instead pursued training elsewhere under other instructors.
I have met several people laying claim to extremely high rank in multiple arts. In 100% of those meetings, I have had serious doubts as to the authenticity of the ranks, and have had occasion to question the degree of their skill as well. I make a point not to discuss my rank (it doesn't matter anyway), and instead focus not on my opponent/training partner's rank but rather their skills and abilities as demonstrated on the mat. That's the only real test anyway, right?
I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...
artyon:
