Ray Thomann is the Grandmaster of All BuDoKwan and founder of the Warriors Lodge.  He is the third Grandmaster in Order’s history, following Grandmaster Emeritus Ja’Mes Bethel (founder) and Grandmaster Jeffrey Lewis. Grandmaster Thomann’s vision is to further the legacy of the Order’s pioneers and founding members, while continuing to share its traditions, benefits and positive influence.  His area of focus is  to build a strong, credible and cohesive organization, in which all members play an active role in its growth. 

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Ray holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Thomas Edison State University and various certificates from Rutgers University and Northwestern University.   

Ray’s extensive training background includes numerous law enforcement, emergency management and leadership certifications from the U.S. Department of Justice – FBI,  U.S. Department of Homeland Security – FEMA, NJ Division of Criminal Justice, NJ State Police Office of Emergency Management, NJ Department of Law & Public Safety, NJ Police Training Commission (PTC), Office of the Prosecutor – Burlington County, and the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center.  He has also received training certifications from private enterprise companies that service the Law Enforcement and Security communities, which includes: Simunition FX – Training for the Real World, Monadnock, PPCT Management Systems Inc., Safariland, and No Lie Blades.

Grandmaster Thomann’s leadership, vision and vast training has earned him recognition as an expert and leader in his respective fields of service.  This led him to serving on the State of New Jersey’s Police Training Commission Defensive Tactics Standards Board, which established training protocols for all state Law Enforcement Training Academies.

As an Executive Protection Professional and Trainer, he has led details and personalized safety training programs for high-profile individuals, celebrities, dignitaries, and executive clients.  He has also trained countless Executive Protection Agents, Law Enforcement Officers, Military Personnel, and Security Teams in various security, emergency management and defensive tactics disciplines.

Ray has been recognized by the State of New Jersey, members of government, various organizations for his contributions and work in the fields of Law Enforcement, Security and the Combative Arts.   His awards and commendations include: 

• • State of New Jersey Senate Commendation from Senator Diane Allen 
  • Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office – Unit Excellence Award
  • Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office –  ProCop Award
  • Burlington County Police Academy – Outstanding Service to Law Enforcement Commendation
  • Unit of the Year (FTO Training Unit) – Pemberton Twp. Police Department 
  • Life Saver Award – Pemberton Twp. Police Department
  • Officer of the Year – Borough of Fieldsboro 
  • WKU Karate Hall of Fame (Class of 2002)
  • WKU Master Instructor of the Year (Combat Budokwan)
  • Philadelphia Historic Martial Arts Society Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)
  • American Moo Duk Kwan Federation – Master Instructor
  • American Order of Combat  BuDoKwan – Grandmaster
  • Defensive Tactics Standard Board Member – State of NJ Police Training Commission

In the combative arts, GM Thomann holds the 10th Dan for the American Order of Combat and all BuDoKwan.  He has also been awarded the rank of 7th Dan from the American Moo Duk Kwan Federation, which was founded by his mentor Grandmaster Charles Graham.

Ray wrestled professionally under the name “Officer Pain.” He began his training at the Monster Factory in Paulsboro, NJ under wrestling legend ‘Pretty Boy’ Larry Sharpe (WWF). After a few months, he connected with legendary WWF star ‘Iron’ Mike Sharpe who trained him exclusively at his Asbury Park pro wrestling school. Ray also spent time training under ‘The American Badboy’ Eric Barada of the Guatemalan and South American Pro Wrestling Circuit. Ray’s wrestled in both the independent leagues and with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) under promoter and president Dennis Carluzzo. He’s held the Iron Man Heavyweight Championship Title and has been featured on promotions with stars from the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), National Wrestling Alliance, and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). This experience has led to him working and training with many recognized experts and leaders in the fighting arts and defensive tactics fields.

Grandmaster Thomann has appeared internationally on radio, television and internet. He’s hosted a national radio and television show that was also broadcasted to over 88 nations on the web. He’s the author of “I Will Not Be A Victim – Women’s Personal Safety Edition.”