Warriors Institute
Founded in 1992 in New Jersey by Grandmaster Ray Thomann, the original Warriors Institute laid the foundation for what has become a lasting legacy. Today, the dojo operates out of Northeast Florida and serves as the Official Headquarters of the American Order of Combat - Budokwan. Our vision is to honor and advance the legacy of the pioneers who shaped American Martial Arts—preserving their values while preparing the next generation of warrior-leaders.
ORDER OF COMBAT TRAINING HQ
Welcome to the Warriors Institute
Official Training Lodge of the American Order of Combat – BuDoKwan
Founded in 1992 by Grandmaster Ray Thomann, the Warriors Institute stands as a proud continuation of a legacy rooted in discipline, leadership, and honor. Its name pays homage to Grandmaster Jeffrey Lewis’ original school, where GM Thomann began his martial arts journey. Since its founding, the Warriors Institute has remained committed to empowering students of all ages through the life-shaping benefits of martial arts—discipline, confidence, the warrior spirit, character development and community service.
Rooted in tradition and guided by practical application, the Warriors Institute blends classical martial arts values with proven training in the combative arts. Our curriculum goes beyond physical techniques and self-defense. It is designed to help students grow stronger in character and faith while developing essential life and leadership skills, personal safety awareness, emergency response basics, and self-confidence. Our goal is to prepare students not simply to become better martial artists, but to become capable, responsible, and effective leaders at home, in society, and throughout their communities.
Grandmaster Thomann’s mission is to faithfully pass on the knowledge, traditions, and systems taught to him by his mentors to a new generation of devoted martial artists. His vision is to create a warriors’ dojo where students can thrive through quality instruction, mentorship, and a culture of discipline and perseverance. At the heart of the Institute is a pledge: to challenge students to train harder, stay committed, and become leaders of moral character and faith.
Our training goes beyond the dojo floor. We instill timeless warrior values—benevolence, courage, honor, justice, loyalty, politeness and truth—preparing students to serve God, their families, and their communities as leaders and role models.
SYSTEMS & CLASS INFORMATION
Warriors Institute Training Systems
Founded by Grandmaster Ja’Mes Bethel, American Combat Bu Do Kwan is a comprehensive martial arts and combative arts system built around a “Balanced Way of Warrior Training.” It combines U.S. military discipline, law enforcement methods, hand-to-hand combat, American boxing, traditional Asian martial arts, grappling, and wrestling to create a practical and well-rounded system of American Combat Karate.
Warriors Institute students are also trained in the traditional martial art of American Tae Kwon Do – Moo Duk Kwan. This system was passed down by Grandmaster Charles Graham of the American Moo Duk Kwan Federation. The system emphasizes strong foundational technique, respect, and personal growth.
Developed by Grandmaster Ray Thomann, the PRO-TACT Training System draws upon his extensive experience and training in law enforcement, security, and martial arts. The system combines practical self-defense techniques, situational awareness, personal safety strategies, and stress-response training designed for real-world situations. PRO-TACT training develops confidence, preparedness, awareness, and a strong personal-safety mindset centered on one defining principle: “I will not be a victim.”
