Those American Samurai training at the Armed Services YMCA in Rantoul, Illinois were striving to provide MWR (Morale, Recreation and Welfare) value to active duty and retired service members and their dependents through numerous martial arts of the Tamanegi Do. One of the priority goals at that time was to move forward with the improved perception and athletic performance by raising performance standards as in Olympic Judo which would eventually ensure the art of Karate becoming an accepted Olympic Sport by both the USOC and the IOC.
Concerns for personal safety involving “Incremental Force Escalation” philosophies and techniques for self-defense were growing rapidly with the decline of America’s moral fiber in certain urban areas. The leadership sought to meet these needs totally and specifically.
They also sought to offer valuable tactical training to the military and Law Enforcement personnel, thus supporting their certification requirements in the areas of risk mitigation and ROE conformance on assigned missions and details.
Tamanegi Do Student Classifications are divided into six general categories. These divisions define the goals and identify the desires of the student first and foremost. The specific categories act as an objective guide for the Yudansha in training their students to predetermined standards in order to help the student reach and attain personally established goals.
Cat I
The general Student, such as the Shimahito Scout identified in Category I, simply desires the ‘technical’
Cat II
Category II training provides students training in the contemporary sports aspect of the martial arts. Students desiring the utmost from their training may compete in the “American Sport Level”. Our experience has shown that many students desire to push themselves by training to compete in the small localized meechee shiai circuits and excelling upward toward venues such as the ATA, NASKA, ISKA, KICK and the US Open and Amateur MMA.
CAT III
Category III training has become some of the most popular kobu-aikijitsu training within the Tamanegi Do organizations over the last four decades here in North America. For the classically minded personality desiring to focus their training with the hopes of qualifying for multiple levels of competition to someday include the Olympics, the leadership established four interrelated divisions within the third category of traditional training so that student athletes from the elementary to collegiate level desiring to compete may enjoy dedicated training in the arts of the Tamanegi Do. Cat III athletes pursue culturally diverse competitive venues in world recognized “traditional” circuits.
Cat III A
Category III A athletes begin formulating their competitive desires by learning the basics within such arts as Hojutsu, Kyudo, Karate, Judo, and Tae Kwon Do to name just a few. Once the student athlete determines their desires, they work closely with the various team leaders and coaches to formulate plans and goals. It is at this point that the student athlete will progress to the next successive level of Cat III training. Tamanegi Do coaches and trainers assess the students throughout their Cat III A training to determine the students heart and teach-ability before allowing them to enter the next training level. Since the students progress at their own pace, it’s not unusual for many to spend considerable time in the novice levels of training and competition. Student desires and abilities lead to pursuit of competitive venues in local and regional “traditional” circuits as well as venues such as Project Appleseed, the Civilian Marksmanship Program, AAU, USNKF, USJA, the Junior Olympic Games .
No athlete automatically holds a team slot in successive years. By maintaining growth and balance mentally, physically and spiritually, all athletes, trainers, coaches, judges, referees and support staff annually “re-certify” for the positions they seek to fill. There is no shortage of slots, so for that reason alone, every one competes against themselves vying for improvement from their performances the previous competitive year. Team compliment limitations are only experienced at the USA international team level, but there are no limitations within the Tamanegi Do organization up to the highest team qualifying level.
Cat III B
At the Category III B division, student athletes pursue competitive venues in “traditional” martial arts circuits through continuing education and training for events such as the Junior Olympic Games.
Cat III C
Category III C Students compete at U.S. National level by continuing their training in such venues as the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) and the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) leading to events such as the U.S. Junior Olympic Games.
Students in this category compete on a national level, intensifying their training in such entry venues as the USNKF and the AAU, then pursuing standings in future international competition.
Cat III D
All students of the Tamanegi Do arts competing on an international level are classified Category III D. Only by coincidence does the “D” mean that they are dedicated to intensifying themselves for the Olympic challenge. When a student athlete is assessed and identified as capable of competing on an international level, regardless of the art, they will enter the highly focused and intensified training of Category III D, preparing them for such venues as the ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) and the WKF (World Karate Federation) to name just a couple. Through dedication, diligent self-discipline and the ever present desire to excel, accomplished student athletes may earn recognized standings and enter into the World Games, Pan American Games or the Olympics.
Students train in modern and traditional “-jutsu” arts for legitimate defensive values where instantaneous force escalation may be required.
Unlike the numerous competitive sports divisions and venues, Category IV Students train to deal with a different type of opponent. The “assailant”.
Challenged by broad spectrum rules of engagement on the streets of America the “-jutsu” level of martial arts provide not only the physical tools of legitimate defensive value within the ROE for personal self-defense but incorporate the understanding that escalation of deadly force may arise as a necessity to counter threats presented during deadly encounters.
Cat V
Students of Category V are tactically trained military and civilian law enforcement personnel. Upon verification of need and subsequent invitation, Tier 1 private and
Cat VI
Students holding a Category VI status are trained in new or familiar areas and topics to develop or enhance their personal and professional interests of Knowledge, Skills or Abilities in over 160 areas.
