I'm a US Marine and completed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Green Belt Instructor course in…read morethe summer of 2002. Soon after the 3-week course I was deployed to Iraq from 2003-2004. Therefore, I never had the opportunity to really exploit what I learned as our priorities were directed at our mission. Therefore, I had a taste of the martial arts, but no long-term formal training, other than the 3 weeks of the course, just enough to know that I don't know much at all. I thought it was important to begin my review with my background so readers understand that I know enough to know what is legitimate, yet I do not at all have long term formalized training.
I am a disabled combat veteran, I sustained severe airborne injuries which required surgery and other secondary injuries. These injuries I believed would prevent me from ever attempting to pursue training in the martial arts as I am in perpetual pain. Moreover, I simply felt inadequate and incapable of doing it. After the war, I also attained "invisible" injuries in the form of Post-Traumatic Stress from the experiences of war. All of these factors made me believe that the martial arts would be something I could never do until I met Professor Brian Ruscio.
I did much research before reaching out to Grappling Mastery, and compared the lineage and training of Professor Ruscio with other schools. I found many schools, much closer to my home, but the Professor was by far the most experienced, not only in training but in actual competitions, as well as having an exemplary lineage. Moreover, I found his training to be extremely robust and beyond just Brazilian Jujitsu, as his training went far beyond by being inclusive of many forms of grappling. He is a NAGA Pan-American Championship in the Expert Light Heavyweight Division and created a Hybrid Grappling Style by combining the best moves from Greco-Roman, Freestyle Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Sambo, and Catch-as-Catch-Can. All of this made it clear that he would be the school I would attend. I felt the 2 hour drive each day would be well worth it to learn from the best. As a Marine paratrooper, I would not be satisfied with anything less. Now all I had left to do was to experience first-hand how he would be as an instructor to a veteran with severe disabilities.
Professor Ruscio's training and method of teaching is exemplary. Although I do not know much of the martial arts, I am an expert instructor in multiple disciplines, I was a Marine Corps Primary Marksmanship Instructor, Para-Marine Jumpmaster, Firepower Control Team Chief, Marine Air Ground Task Force Fire Support Coordinator, and more, and as a civilian, the Theater-Wide Training Director in Iraq for Biometrics, worked for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center's Training and Doctrine Command, worked for CENTCOM and SOCOM, hold a Master's degree, and am a current NRA Firearm's instructor, a former Florida "K" licensed firearms instructor, Director of Investigations (Florida licensed Private Investigator with C, G, A licenses) and more. I know a great instructor when I meet one. The professor is patient, empathetic to injuries, yet pushes you to your personal limitations. He maintains a calm demeanor, yet a genuine enthusiasm for your development. His training is personalized and not cookie cutter. When you think he is not watching, he will approach you and catch nuances you are executing incorrectly which you do not realize. Small adjustments enable immediate results when you have an instructor who cares about your improvement. I believe he purposely observes from an angle in which you do not see him, so you are not distracted or conscientious of his watchful eye. But make no mistake, his attention to detail will exploit your weaknesses, for on the spot correction, and immediate improvement. His instruction is exceptional. With all things, you must put in the work. Do not rely on attending a few hours a week and expecting magical improvement. You should be going over what you learned either by executing the movements at home, watching his free videos on YouTube, and attending weekly "roll & review "
Lastly, I want to address the culture created by the professor. As a veteran, we crave challenge, camaraderie, and purpose. And sometimes feel we have lost that when we transition to civilian. At Grappling Mastery I have found that culture again. Everyone I have met has been sincerely encouraging, supportive, and have gone out of their way to help me improve. The only competition I feel is against myself. To be a better version of myself the next training day. There is no pressure or fear of failure. Everyone has a genuine empathy with each other, a genuine camaraderie. I cannot begin to express how significant his training has been to help with my Post Traumatic Stress.
I feel privileged and blessed to have found Professor Ruscio who has in a short time had a huge positive impact on my life.
