Profile of Presenters
Grand Master Michael Munyon – 8th degree
Alabama, USA
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
(Retired in 2015) Master Sergeant Michael L. Munyon was a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force Security Forces (Law Enforcement/Security Specialists). His martial arts beginning started in 1979 in his home state of Michigan.
He entered the Air Force in 1992, serving his entire career in the Security Forces career field. His assignments include bases in Montana, Michigan, California, Korea (Kunsan and Osan Air Base), Mississippi, Nebraska and Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. During this time he has deployed to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan on numerous occasions. While serving in the United States military he has taught civilian and military members martial arts at every military installation he’s been assigned to. Some of his notable accomplishments include training over 2,000 Security Forces members in Self-Defense and Defensive Tactics, over 1,000 female civilian and military members in Women’s Self Defense in cooperation with the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Department, trained U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy personnel, Canadian, French, Belgian, Australian and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military members in martial arts. He was an appointed Defensive Tactics Instructor at several military bases where he created a law enforcement and security specialist officer safety manuals and lesson plans. Additionally, Mr. Munyon has been recognized for his work with the United States and Foreign military by senior enlisted leaders and has received numerous awards of recognition for his talents and volunteer work. His accomplishments has resulted him being inducted into 10 different martial art Hall of Fames.
From the mid 1980’s until present, Mr. Munyon has competed in tournaments ranging from local events, fundraisers and even world championships. Sport Karate International magazine listed him as being rated #1 in the Korean Forms division for the Yellowstone conference and has been invited to compete in the SKI/NBL Amateur Martial Arts World Championships. In July of 2013, Mr. Munyon competed in the Korea Moo Moo Kwan HapKiDo World Championships and won 3rd in patterns for team USA.
EDUCATION
Mr. Munyon has a degree in Criminal Justice and has attended numerous Professional Military Education courses in the field of management and leadership. Additionally, he has a Special Experience Identifier (SEI) in Information Security. In 2012, Mr. Munyon graduated the Principles of Instructor course at Shepard AFB, TX. Later, in 2013, Mr. Munyon earned his Professional Manager diploma from Air University. During his 22.5 years in the Air Force, Mr. Munyon has completed Desert and Winter Warfare Training courses.
RANK/AFFILIATIONS
-8th Dan International Taekwon-Do Federation HQ: Taekwon-Do
-6th Dan International HapKiDo Federation: HapKiDo
-3rd Dan Krav Maga Association/Expert Level 2 and part of the KMA Training Cadre
-3rd Dan: Shudokan Ryu Police Taiho Jutsu
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
-Health and Safety Institute Instructor Trainer for pre-hospital training
-Health and Safety Institute Instructor Trainer for Active Violence Immediate Response Training (AVIRT)
-Traditional and Modern Weapons Training and instructor certificated
-Ground Survival
-Advanced Defensive Tactics and Subject Control Instructor certified
-While serving in the military, Master Munyon worked as the Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of Security Forces Training (Trained thousands of military personnel on various self-defense tactics)
-Certified Firearms Instructor through the National Rifle Association
-Certified Full Instructor in the Israeli Combat Shooting for pistol and rifle
-Certified Israeli Tactical Knife Fighting Instructor
-ASP Tactical Weapons Instructor
-KMA Tactical Training Options Executive Protection Specialist
-ITF HQ Umpire/Referee Instructor Trainer
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:
-Alabama Security Regulatory Board Security Guard Trainer (Armed/Unarmed)
-Alabama Real Estate Commission Real Estate School Instructor (Continuing Education)
-Guest speaker and instructor at state, national and international levels
-Taught martial arts in a dozen different countries
-Subject Matter Expert on the nationally accredited AVIRT program
-Authored books available for purchase on Amazon
“In a crisis we do not rise to the occasion…we fall to the level of our training”.