Nope, I havent done anything towards learning Karate, other than Karate Kid. I guess I learned there is a lot of work, wax on, wax off lol, and persistence to Karate.
At 19 years of age I found my self in the Army. Somewhere along the line I had taken a liking to tanks. As a child and teenager I studied about the Sheridan and Patton Tanks that were used in Europe and Korea and thought that being a gunner on a tank might not be so bad, so when I enlisted, I requested to be put in armor. What a joke that was. In A.I.T. I found myself in armor intelligence, long range reconnaissance. The only armor that I would ever have between me and the enemy was my G.I. issued shirt.
Thus, I decided that if I was going to spend a lot of time in reconnoitering the enemy, I should pickup all the training I could get. After all, that shirt was not going to be very much protection, so I took every course the Army presented to me. First was the aspects of my primary job, armor intelligence, then they offered Airborne training as well. After that I entered Expert Infantry training, and then, on special appointment, I went to Fort Gordon, Georgia and spent six months in Ranger training. During this time I also studied Judo, Ju Jitsu, Karate, becoming a fifth degree black belt, and as an infighting tool, Aikido, and becoming a fifth Dan in it.
When I came out due too injuries, I became a Truck driver.
Me and my last truck in 2000.
At 19 years of age I found my self in the Army. Somewhere along the line I had taken a liking to tanks. As a child and teenager I studied about the Sheridan and Patton Tanks that were used in Europe and Korea and thought that being a gunner on a tank might not be so bad, so when I enlisted, I requested to be put in armor. What a joke that was. In A.I.T. I found myself in armor intelligence, long range reconnaissance. The only armor that I would ever have between me and the enemy was my G.I. issued shirt.
Thus, I decided that if I was going to spend a lot of time in reconnoitering the enemy, I should pickup all the training I could get. After all, that shirt was not going to be very much protection, so I took every course the Army presented to me. First was the aspects of my primary job, armor intelligence, then they offered Airborne training as well. After that I entered Expert Infantry training, and then, on special appointment, I went to Fort Gordon, Georgia and spent six months in Ranger training. During this time I also studied Judo, Ju Jitsu, Karate, becoming a fifth degree black belt, and as an infighting tool, Aikido, and becoming a fifth Dan in it.
When I came out due too injuries, I became a Truck driver.
I have it made some say, having total care from the VA. That is due to a Silver Star and two Bronze. However, if someone can give me my health back and put me in good form (I lost my voice box), I will trade with them in a second. Damn Agent Orange.
I might have forgotten half of what I learned. But I had several lesson in Tae Kwon Do (the Korean variety). I once took a shot at breaking a board with a single chop, and actually made it.
However, my son trains in Mixed Martial Arts, (six different disciplines) and does competitive sport karate. I spend on an average week about 16 hours at the dojo, and if it is a tournament week much more than that.
I know Tae Kwon Do. This has led many members of my family to tell people I know karate. I don't think they quiiiite understand that there is a difference between the two XD
Almost a year, maybe a little less. I don't remember exactly. However, I took an Okinawan style of martial arts which is a mix of Gojun-ru and Ishin-ru. Sad part is I'm not much of a fighter, and I definitely try to run instead. I guess you could say I'm afraid to hit someone unless it's Kumate (scrapping in a dojo). As for real fighting on the street, I've always been scared to fight. :)
My brother's dad is a black belt who follows Ip Mans method. Ip Man trained Bruce Lee. And he was even in the news for being very good at karate. He trained my mom and brothers who are now black belts, and they all trained me. (:
Thus, I decided that if I was going to spend a lot of time in reconnoitering the enemy, I should pickup all the training I could get. After all, that shirt was not going to be very much protection, so I took every course the Army presented to me. First was the aspects of my primary job, armor intelligence, then they offered Airborne training as well. After that I entered Expert Infantry training, and then, on special appointment, I went to Fort Gordon, Georgia and spent six months in Ranger training. During this time I also studied Judo, Ju Jitsu, Karate, becoming a fifth degree black belt, and as an infighting tool, Aikido, and becoming a fifth Dan in it.
When I came out due too injuries, I became a Truck driver.
Me and my last truck in 2000.
Thus, I decided that if I was going to spend a lot of time in reconnoitering the enemy, I should pickup all the training I could get. After all, that shirt was not going to be very much protection, so I took every course the Army presented to me. First was the aspects of my primary job, armor intelligence, then they offered Airborne training as well. After that I entered Expert Infantry training, and then, on special appointment, I went to Fort Gordon, Georgia and spent six months in Ranger training. During this time I also studied Judo, Ju Jitsu, Karate, becoming a fifth degree black belt, and as an infighting tool, Aikido, and becoming a fifth Dan in it.
When I came out due too injuries, I became a Truck driver.
Me and my last truck in 2000.
So I do know a lot about it.