IT'S ALL ABOUT INTEGRITY!
by
Walt S.

I am truly astonished by the pool of talent the Washington Metropolitan area has in the self defense industry. If you look at many of the advertisements in the yellow pages and the web sites of these schools they are promoting:

• How many champions they have trained.
• The martial arts tournaments their school has won.
• And all classes taught by Grand Master – 5th degree Black Belt.

I would imagine the advertisements in our area are similar to ones in other parts of the United States. In short, everybody seems to be an expert in self defense. I saw one ad boasting how many black belts their school has produced. The number exceeded 10,000!

To some people, these statements might seem impressive. If you are awed by these claims, I encourage you to really think about what these schools are offering. Is what they are teaching worth learning? What does it say about their school and their teachers? More important, what does it say about their integrity? At Contemporary Fighting Arts (CFA) integrity sets the standard for everything we do. From the techniques that we learn in class to the way we conduct ourselves in public. It’s all about integrity.   

Another website I found references “No-Nonsense Street Survival”. This sounded interesting to me until I really looked at the site and found the instructor wearing a traditional gi in bare feet. I don’t think I am being overly critical by saying teaching an art in a gi and bare feet does not lend itself to realistic street training. Where these schools and instructors fall short, Contemporary Fighting Arts and Sammy Franco (founder of CFA) are at their best. We train in street clothes with shoes and learn techniques that common sense dictates have a much higher probability of working than those taught in traditional studios.

I don’t have any animosity towards traditional martial arts or their practitioners. I met a lot of really nice people at the studios I trained at. However, much of what they teach does not have any real combative utility for the street. The majority of most street fights end up on the ground. Traditional arts like Tae Kwon Do or Hapkido don’t address any ground fighting techniques. It is hard for anyone to admit, that an art they have been involved with has significant limitations for actual street combat. Many of the techniques taught in traditional studios simply won’t work against a seasoned criminal or the obnoxious drunk in a bar that just had his shot of liquid courage. Finally, I could care less about point sparring. The techniques used in point sparring would get you decimated in a real street fight.

I am not putting down all of the traditional studios. There are many formidable fighters that come from traditional martial arts. Some of these fighters are in the UFC and the like. I have tremendous respect for anyone that competes at this level. These athletes are in tremendous shape and they have worked and sacrificed to get where they are. Nobody can take that away from them. They have truly acquired an elite status. Realistically, most people are not blessed with their natural ability and the self discipline to master a martial art at this level. What the masses can do though is choose an instructor with integrity that will teach an art worth learning.    

Consumers should also be aware of schools that sell belts instead of teaching upstanding citizens how to really protect themselves. These institutions are doing more harm than good by giving their students a false sense of confidence. They are sell outs – plain and simple. Another trend in the industry that we have noticed at CFA is internet certifications for systems of combat.

Contemporary Fighting Arts is inclusive of many different arts – knives, sticks, hand to hand combat and ground fighting. It takes years of consistent study and practice to become proficient in these individual art forms. It seems impossible to certify an instructor in a credible combat system through an internet course.  

These certifications are not worth the paper they are printed on. Further, it shows a complete lack of responsibility and integrity on the part of the people issuing the certifications. This is comparable to emails I receive daily stating that I can earn a Bachelors Degree in two weeks. I spent four years earning my degree from an accredited college and am proud of my accomplishment. I doubt I would have the same sense of achievement if I “earned” a degree in two weeks via the internet.

CFA's Ranking System also maintains a strong sense of integrity. The source of this is Sammy Franco, who uses colored shirts and serial numbered certificates to distinguish the practitioner’s rank. Sammy is very conscientious about maintaining the purity of the ranking system within CFA. Students cannot “buy” ranked shirts the way many “buy” belts from traditional martial arts studios or buy certifications via the internet. Basically, they look at it solely as a business as to where Sammy is incredibly passionate about Contemporary Fighting Arts and the integrity of his system.

Students must be willing to devote a lot of time and effort to conceptually understand and become competent in Contemporary Fighting Arts. The fact that Sammy has only awarded one Black Shirt signifying the rank of expert lends a tremendous amount of credibility and authenticity to Contemporary Fighting Arts.

There is a real truth and purity to Contemporary Fighting Arts that I have not found at any other school. Sammy is what makes Contemporary Fighting Arts so special. He is brutally honest and utilizes a direct hard nosed teaching style. Many beginner students have difficulty dealing with this method. Evidence supporting this is many of them simply don’t last. Their have also been students that have the wherewithal to last in Contemporary Fighting Arts but were asked to leave because they lacked honesty and integrity.

For example, I know of one well liked and respected student in Contemporary Fighting Arts. The only problem was, he lied about numerous things (including a military career, his combat experience and past affiliations) to Sammy and members of CFA. This particular student was banished from Contemporary Fighting Arts because Sammy felt his actions displayed a significant character flaw that was contrary to the tenents of Contemporary Fighting Arts. This particular student was actually a very close friend to Sammy. As a matter of fact, I personally know that Sammy went so far as to give this student a second chance to “come clean” with his lies. When he didn’t Sammy made what I’m sure was a very difficult decision, albeit the right one. This example sends a very clear cut message. When it comes to Sammy Franco and Contemporary Fighting Arts - it's not about money. It’s about honor, truthfulness and you guessed it: Integrity.

-Walt S. (CFA Student: Rank One/Yellow Shirt)

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