COMBAT BU DO KWAN

American Combat Bu Do Kwan is a complete martial arts and combative arts training system. Bu Do Kwan stands for “The Balanced Way of Warrior Training” and represents a comprehensive system of American Combat Karate and Martial Arts. The curriculum is rooted in U.S. military discipline, law enforcement defensive tactics (LEO DT), hand-to-hand combat, grappling and ground fighting, and American boxing.

Combat Bu Do Kwan is also influenced by techniques from major martial arts systems, including Japanese, Korean, Okinawan, and Chinese traditions, as well as the arts of Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. Multiple levels of weapons training are incorporated and required by the time a student reaches 2nd Dan Black Belt and certified examiner status.

The system emerged in the early 1980s. Its founder, Grandmaster Emeritus Ja’Mes Bethel, was a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran and U.S. Army Airborne Ranger. During extended duty in Vietnam, he was assigned to the Combat Engineers and also took part in Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) missions. He is credited with 42 confirmed kills during his service and was awarded three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. Grandmaster Bethel is internationally recognized as a pioneer of American Combat Karate and for his lasting contributions to the martial arts community. He is also credited with establishing the original American Combat Bu Do Kwan Karate System.

The original system includes six empty-hand forms and six weapons forms, two of which are dedicated to the United States military. Since the system’s founding, several additional forms have been added. Most instructors within the Order also incorporate advanced weapons forms and katas from major Asian martial arts systems in addition to the traditional Bu Do Kwan curriculum. All Order Black Belts must be proficient in close-order drill and qualified in firearms.

Students are trained using proven methods employed by the U.S. military and American law enforcement, with an emphasis on rank structure, discipline, respect, and leadership. The Combat Bu Do Kwan system encourages cross-training in other martial arts to ensure students become well-rounded martial artists and modern warriors. This approach also fosters innovation by incorporating new training ideas, best practices, and methods that help advance the system as a whole.