In teaching such a broad spectrum student base, the question of ABSK membership arises regularly in our ranks resulting from exposure to the ever present references and documentation of this unique association of warriors. The familial lineages of this unique association date back multiple centuries on the American continental side alone, much less those direct lineages from across both ponds which to this day continue to influence the United States and Canada.
As an “association” of like minded military martial artists, the ABSK was founded in late 1985 for the purpose of networking, learning and supporting each others efforts while serving worldwide. The MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) factor for the troops and their families was and continues to be substantial from this stand point with their propagation over the decades found at the Recreation Centers, base gymnasiums and Youth Centers still positively influencing so many. Prior to 2016, Judo and Tae Kwon Do were officially DoD sponsored martial arts sports programs for active duty as a result of being recognized sports in the Olympics. This year, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will officially introduce and showcase the traditional Art of Karate. It is my pleasure to share the fact that the ABSK had a hand in realizing what was then a dream of many notables is presently now a reality. More on that exciting historical journey later.
The ABSK restricted membership to military service members and their dependents for more than a two decades. Following Desert Storm and a flood of new warriors released from service, many moved on into other professions such as Law Enforcement and Fire Fighting, while others went into less stressful professions.
Fast forwarding to the 21st Century many previous priorities rapidly required focal re-adjustment, mentally, spiritually and physically. After 9/11, it became apparent that the associations support of mission committed martial artists in service needed to rapidly expand while continuing to embrace those of like mind traditionally. Being an association of America’s samurai with military backgrounds deeply rooted in broad spectrum combat experience, it wasn’t difficult to see the continued adherence to the standard of military only membership.
Everyone’s network naturally grew as a result of the attraction to their strength of character, patriotism and martial skills which they now exhibited in everyday life. This alone brought many to share in a special brother and sisterhood known not only to America’s unique warrior culture, but that of our oldest allies in Freedom’s fight for those oppressed by the chains and snares of despots and tyrants.
Naturally for anyone not having written that “blank check of self-sacrifice and service” or having a direct connection with the military way of life, it is impossible to know the true rigors and stresses faced by Freedom’s warrior class and their personal support system. Truly, only those who have paid the price to faithfully sacrifice so much for so many can they be considered Freedom’s own Samurai Class.
September 11, 2001 spawned changes to the association’s sport focus which remains ever fluid to meet the changing needs of our sporting and practical communities. Since 2009 national and international conditions have introduced many new players bearing their own threat detriments to our safety, health and welfare compromising the the Free World and our Republic forcing more intense reviews of the ABSK mission for relevance and currency to effectively preserve, enhance and secure our future and unique way of life.
The challenges facing the ABSK executive and senior leadership made it obvious that careful expansion of the network required appropriate expansion of membership through personal sponsorship of properly vetted non-military martial artists. By unanimous consensus it moved to create an “affiliated division” to sit at the round table of associates.
The executive leadership’s insight and wisdom brought the association to the point that there are two general divisions of membership. The Associated Division and the Affiliated Division. The Associated membership rolls may only be filled by active service members and their dependents. The Affiliated Division rolls consist of all others.
Within these two divisions are four overlapping categories identifying the broad spectrum of professional warrior mind-sets. They are as follows:
The Society of American Samurai composed of military members exclusively, be they active duty, retired or reserve components.
The qualification requirements for membership remain verified by presentation of active duty or retired ID, DD Form 214, military dependents and first line dependents of Veterans remains the same. There are certain waver-able exceptions reviewed by the executive board involving Gold Star and Blue Star families.
Blue Knights (Associated) must be Tier 1 currently serving and retired Law Enforcement Officers.
Red Knights (Associated) must be Tier 1 currently serving and retired Fire Fighters.
The Green Knights (Associated) consists of select Tier 1 Security Officers who have trained exclusively as “Yojimbo” in their profession.
Blue Knights (Affiliated) must be currently serving reserve Law Enforcement Officers.
Red Knights (Affiliated) must be currently serving Volunteer Fire Fighters.
The Green Knights (Affiliated) consists of “select” Security personnel in their profession.
The White Knights (Affiliated) consists of all dependents regardless of parental status and by all Riji Kai vetted civilians not qualified for any of the previously mentioned categories.
The Executive Board has determined it appropriate that the ABSK Hall of Fame consist of those Sempai to the leadership, without whose motivation, mentor-ship and teachings our martial arts lineages found at the “Round Table” would not exist to this day and prayerfully beyond.
Many challenges remain with many more asymmetrically popping up like weeds in a field. It remains the honored pleasure of the Tamanegi Do to continue meeting those challenges by co-developing viable strategies with other pro-active members of the the Atarashii Budo Shu Kai team.
