TESTIMONIES

Gentlemen,

Please allow me take this opportunity to thank you for a well thought out and high quality CKM boot camp in Wrightsville Beach, NC. on September 8-11, 2011. I was truly impressed with the content and presentation of your material. As a former Select Side Rugby player and Marine Corps Marathon athlete, I can tell you sincerely that your course took me to limits that I had not previously penetrated. I was humbled to have been a part of such a worthwhile endeavor.

Andrew,As a CKM Elite team instructor, I appreciate your time and patience, and cannot thank you enough for insisting that I keep going through the techniques until I had them right. Your professionalism, attitude, and delivery did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Moni, thank you for developing such a fantastic course. I will consider myself successful if I am presented with an aggressive situation and can deescalate the scene and walk away. If I am backed into a corner and cannot talk my way out, you have given me the opportunity to learn skills that can help me protect myself and loved ones. I feel that this course is one of the best investments that I have ever made in myself.

Again, thank you, and I hope to see you in the future.

Best Regards,

Wayne Rouse
Carolina Beach, NC.

I just joined the forum after earning my Level 2 CKM instructor certification in Miami. If there is anyone on the fence, wondering if they could or should become an instructor or attend a boot camp for personal development, let me just say DO IT NOW MOVE.
As a former Marine I went through boot camp at Parris Island and grew to know men that I have maintained contact with over the past 16 years. These men are my brothers. Allow me to say that CKM boot camp was similar. The kind of people who sign on to do this type of thing are men with hearts of warriors. It was nice to be among men (and a couple ladies) that exemplify the warrior spirit. They were honorable, hard-working, and resilient.

The greatest of these was our elite team instructor Johhny "guerilla" Medero. His fascination with Bushido (the way of the warrior) goes beyond words... he friggin' lives it! I've been around CEO's of fortune 100 companies, four star generals and other major leaders and there's just a sense one gets in their presence. Such is the way with Johnny. He inspires excellence (and then demands it if you don't get the hint), but is always supportive.

I'm looking forward to being around men, and ladies of such honor & character for many years to come. If you are letting your fear allow you to doubt, ask yourself this: What would you do if you weren't afraid or unsure.... and then do that thing. Takeaction NOW. DO IT!
_________________
Shawn R. Frost,
MBA, CSCS, CKM-2, CHEK Lev.1, CHEK NLC 2
President:
The Warrior Academy
Preparing Warriors, not fighters, for Real World Victory (tm)

Day 2. man...I thought I was sore after the first day. Looking at myself now im beginning to resemble a human leopard w/ all the. What is amazing is that while we are working Andrew stresses details, and not surprising the details make all the difference. It makes the disarm smoother, the lock hurt more, the choke more effective, the break falls quicker. Practicing the rhino/joust just on the bag, visualizing the actual impact on an attacker, you can see how simple yet devastating this system is. 2 more to go. Wondering what today will hold.

Stay strong,

Keith

My Level-5 Experience...
I just completed another fantastic week of training at the CKM course in East Windsor, New Jersey under the Yoda-like; tutelage of our Chief Instructor, Moni Aizik. It was an extremely exhillarating and challenging week consumed with trying to absorb the vast knowledge that Moni Aizk had to share and demonstrate as I climbed my way up to become a Level-5 instructor. I secured the prize...but during the process I was humbled.

There are 10 levels in CKM...8 of which you can actually achieve. Levels 9 and 10 are elevated out of reach as symbols of continued growth and learning. These unattainable levels represent constant research and development, progressive evolution, and an endless search for the perfect system. I learned a lot last week training with Moni Aizik and my fellow instructors there in New Jersey. The most important thing that I learned was that I still have a LOT to learn. Level-5 camp was like a new beginning for me...a starting over point in many ways. It made me realize that I am just now beginning to truly understand the system. Yes...I know the techniques left, right, frontwards, and backwards now from Levels 1-5...but there is a difference between being able to do all the techiniques within a system and the system being a part of you.

When I walked away with my certificate in my hands on the final day of the course, I realized looking down at my glossy new accomplishment that this is where my real work begins. Levels 1-4 had simply been preparation for the real work ahead. Everything that I had learned up to this point had come from external influence and instruction. My challenge going forward is to be able to learn from the inside out while absorbing what is poured into me externally. Level 5 is were I will begin the process of making the CKM system a truly integral part of myself with true understanding and implementation. This is where I will begin to make it my own.

I am not a Star Wars geek, but the gap in the level of knowledge and maturity that exists between myself and Moni Aizik must be about the same as what existed between a young Luke Skywalker and Yoda in terms of understanding and being able to harness the power of the forcet;. I couldn''t help feeling like a frustrated young Jedi in training when I found myself struggling as Moni Aizik placed the reins in my hands and told me to find my own solution to sovling a selected porblem. Over-thinking and second-guessing which way I should go, I found myself veering left, right, and making u-turns instead of just going in the direction that I would take my first steps when told to find the right path. Instead of trusting THE FORCE (first instincts and intuition), I doubted myself and ended up presenting a less than ideal solution. With maturity comes confidence...and I found I have a ways to go.

Traveling back home after the course, I pulled over on the side of the road when it struck me all of a sudden that Moni had given me a guide to solve the very problem I had been presented. I got my course manual out of the back of the car and it opened it to the first page of the Level-5 curriculum. The formula to solving the problem that I had been given was right there on paper and was one of the first things shared with us on the first day. Moni Aizik had even asked me during my technical portion of the test to explain the approach of how to go about solving such problems related to the very issue I had been challenged, and I gave him my explaination and solution without hesitation or doubt. He had given me the reins and freedom to go in my own direction...but I ignored the map he had slipped into my pocket that pointed the right way.

As witnessed in the film, it''s not easy to become a Jedi Knight...and it''s not any easier training to be on par with a man like Moni Aizik. He is without a doubt one of the greatest minds the martial arts world has ever witnessed. His approach to creating and teaching is nothing short of genius.

The techniques in Level-5 came fairly easy to me. They came easy to me not because I am something special...but because Moni aizik has selected and designed them to be easy. He realized a long time ago that if a move is too complicated, it probably won''t work in a situation where extreme stress is involved. Techiques are not deemed acceptable for the system until it is proven that they will work for individuals of small to modest build with average motor skills under real pressure, speed, and strength. There is no faking it with Moni Aizik...no Saturday night Kung Fu theater with him. It either works or it doesn''t...and if it doesn''t work he doesn''t put it in the curriculum.

I learned at camp that in order to create a system such as CKM, every detail has to be placed under a microscope to analyze it''s true worth and effectiveness. Commando Krav Maga is about defending life...reality. It is not an art or sport-based system that can afford to embrace concepts and techniques that might work some of the time. A true reality-based system should develop or implement concepts and techniques that work as close to 100 percent of the time as possible when done correctly by a capable person. Moni Aizik has done a great job in doing this. CKM is by far the most effective system out there in my opinion. There are other good systems throughout the world...but I have total confidence when I say that I think we have the most open-minded and capable creator in the RBSD industry. He is a true innovator and is not afraid to encourage and develop his students into creative and innovative thinkers to insure that the system may go on to be something better tomorrow than it is today. He wants his students to help in the innovative process because he realizes that many minds working on a common goal can often produce something greater than that of a single man. I have witnessed him put this into action having the opportunity to be a part of the CKM Elite Team and seeing first-hand how he goes about experimenting with the concepts and techniques that make it into the curriculum. This is something that sets Moni Aizik apart from most all of the other creators, developers, and "masters" we have in today''s modern society. Most individuals in Moni''s position would want to shield themselves from free-thinkers and possible innovators within their own system for fear of creating competition...but Moni Aizik encourages creativity and innovation in his students the same way he would his own children. The CKM system is Moni Aizik's child...no one elses. He is the father of the system and I think he realizes that if the family he has created is going to continue to progress decades and centuries from now his students have to be capable of solving problems and developing innovative solutions that will keep CKM at the forefront of the RBSD world.

I have said it before...but listening to Moni Aizik talk about innovation and evolution is in a lot of ways like watching or listening to recordings of Bruce Lee discuss the same back when he was still alive. I think they both share a lot of the same qualities in how they have approached solving problems and eliminating what simply doesn''t work...what doesn''t make sense to real fighting. They have both demonstrated a similar open-mind and innovative spirit...and search for excellence without boundaries. Moni Aizk has come under attack from people who have been threatened or afraid of what his impact might do to their own entities much like Bruce Lee came under similar attack back in the day. Attacks came for both men not because of them making ripples on small solitary ponds somewhere out in the middle of nowhere...but because they shook the earth and created tsunami size waves all around the world with their innovation, productive change, and outspoken opinions.

Moni Aizik has created a system that in the span of only 6 years has reached over 40 countries and has impacted the RBSD community in a way that can''t be ignored. His efforts and creative thinking have brought about positive and effective change that will be felt decades and centuries from now. We have 8 attainable levels in CKM. As of today there are no other instructors other than Moni above Level-6. As a matter of fact...there are only six Level-6 guys in the whole world! To be a student of CKM now is to be a student in the beginning...during the heart of the evolutionary process. We are all front-row witnesses to change that will be felt through current and future societies in civilian, law-enforment, and military defense systems.
Moni Aizik"s influence and impact is re-shaping the RBSD landscape in many forms. I can even name numerous copycat creators who have learned from Moni Aizik who are now developing their own systems around masked CKM principles, concepts, and techniques. Those guys have a right to do their own thing, and to use whatever they have learned from our system in a way that suits them. I have no issue with that as long as they give credit where credit is due. Since completing my Level-5 training though, what is clearer to me now more than ever before is that those guys should have stuck around to learn more before trying to sell themselves to the world as experts and masters...innovators and creators. I have spent most of my life bouncing around experimenting with different instructors and systems...and can say without an ounce of doubt that I have NEVER come across an instructor with the knowledge, skill, and gift of teaching that Moni Aizik possesses. There was only one Bruce Lee...but there have been countless imitators or those that have modeled themselves and their systems around his philosophies, concepts, and creations. Some have done it in a respectible way paying homage to the man and his work, but others simply hi-jacked his gifts of labor and called it their own without any acknowledgement of where their techniques and ideas actually originated. The same things are being done now in regards to the work Moni Aizik has put into his own developments.

Level-5 made it crystal clear to me why there are so many copycats and so few true innovators and creators. It is doesn''t take a genius to be a copycat. You may be able to sell yourself as something extraordinary riding on the back of another''s shoulder''s and ideals...but you can''t fake true talent, creativity, and effective evolutionary thinking. It is foolish to think you can be another Bruce Lee or Moni Aizik unless you are something worlds apart from most of the rest of the mortals wallking the earth. Maybe you are worlds apart...maybe one day I may feel that I am worlds apart...but right now I know that I have a tremendous amount of learning to do...years of learning...and probably many more years of just thinking about what I have learned afterward. I value Moni Aizik as a true mentor and friend...I value my fellow instructors as brothers and sisters battling a single common goal...CKM is where I belong.

Whether you like the comparison or not...all of us in the CKM family are like a young Skywalker...Jedi Knights in training. We are blessed to have as the father of our system our very own Yoda...Moni Aizik. Without someone as capable and as talented as Moni Aizik there would be no CKM system...and there would have been no possibility for any of us to learn all that we have during our CKM experiences and careers. Some instructors haven''t had the opportunity yet to meet and train with Moni Aizik in person. To those of you who have been trained by members of the CKM Elite Team, and have not gotten the chance to work with Moni Aizik directly...everything you have learned is possible only because of Moni Aizik''s work. Make no mistake about it...we are all very fortunate to be training in a system developed by a true Einstein of the martial arts world.

Thanks to you Moni for all of your amazing instruction, advice, and friendship you have given as I make my way to Leve-8. Thanks also for believing in me enough to give me the opportunity to travel and share all that you have shared with me as a member of the CKM Elite Team. You are golden!

Thanks to you Linda for all the work you do for the members of the CKM Elite Team week in and week out managing our travels and accomodations...handling problems and making sure that the courses we teach run smooth. We couldn''t do it without you.

Thanks to both Moni and Linda also for the great hospitality that you each showed to us this past week in New Jersey and at all of the courses I have attended. You are both truly generous and good people!

Thanks to you Johnny Guerrilla Modero for believing in me and for your great advice and friendship. You are like a real brother to me.

Thanks also to my friend and roomate at the course...Kevin Spider Monkey Coker. It was once again a pleasure to train with you and go through the whole experience with you from the time the alarm clock rang in the morning until the lights went out each night. I hope to see you again soon partner.

Thanks also to Edward...You were an amazing training partner to have for Level-5 and a true gentleman. It was both a pleasure and an honor to work with you. Please let me know when you come down south to visit your family. I would love to meet up so that we can train and catch up.

Dennis and Mark...Thanks for pushing me when I needed it! You both rock as training partners added an element of fun to the course that would have been missed without your presence. I hope to see you both again soon.

Paul McGee...Thanks for challenging me with the knife. You were an amazing training partner who didn''t lay down for me one bit. Thanks for keeping it real brother! I hope to see you again at another course.

Uliks...You were such a joy to meet...a true gentleman. Thanks for working so hard everytime we were paired together. You were awesome!

Anthony, Art, and Mike...Congratulations on toughing it out...Now go train!!!

Finally...and most importantly...Thanks to God for keeping me safe and for giving me the strength and talent to be able to share the gifts presented to me with others.

So what is next for me now? It''s time to start getting ready for Level-6. I have a lot of work to do before I am comfortable with who I am as a CKM practicioner and instructor...and I plan on wasting no time in putting to use what Moni Aizik taught me at my Level-5 course. My biggest focuses will be on staying healthy, my knife work, and developing a more creative and confident mindset. I aim at becoming one with the force...making CKM a part me...not just something I do.

It''s time to go train now...catch you guys at another course!

Andrew
Certified CKM Instructor

Andrew, Congratulations nf achieving Level 5!! Hearing of your experiences with Moni and the CKM family as well as having my own experiences really makes me proud to be part of the CKM family. I will be the first to admit my skepticism when I took my first course but am glad I was able to keep my cup as empty as possible. I really enjoy working with CKM's instructors and have had the pleasure of working with Moni and cannot wait to get to class every day that I teach and train to get my fix of the CKM system.

I am truly a believer and love when my students ask questions that test the system. It always seems that I am learning with them when I answer their questions by trying out their concerns, or their techniques by testing the techniques that Moni has implemented in the system. Time and time again, they pan out as the best way. It makes me proud to be part of such a system.

I know your experience is far more extensive then my own, however having 12 years experience in reality based martial arts there is still much to learn. I have always said this journey would constantly be teaching me until I die. Meeting Moni and having the pleasure to be part of one of the few constantly evolving systems in the world has really helped bring me to the next level, as well as made me more enthusiastic about teaching and learning than I was already. I love the challenge and at the same time the simplicity it brings. It definitely has made me look at reality based martial arts in a different light.

I am glad that Moni has shared his knowledge and experience with the rest of us. He picks his instructors for a reason. They are good at what they do, humble, honest, helpful, and I believe that they truly want to see us as students succeed, just as Moni I am sure feels the same about them.

A good Master only puts his instructors up for tasks that he knows they are ready for, even when they themselves may be doubtful. He also makes sure to push them to high limits and to challenge them and let them see for themselves that they can draw up energy and courage they may not know that they had before. We always need someone to push us, so that we know we are capable of a great many things, and so that we can continue to grow.

Thank you Moni for allowing me the privilege of training with you, your instructors, and being able to be part of Commando Krav Maga. The feedback I am getting from my students is Awesome. They love it and can't wait to learn more. That's how learning martial arts should be. It should be engaging, fun, practical, humbling, a physical challenge, philosophical, and much more. You have definitely found the right formula while giving confidence and well tested techniques to Commando Krav Maga practitioners.

I will keep growing with you and CKM like a family, and appreciate the help I have received from Moni, Linda, Andrew, and fellow students. Keep it up. I know I will
_________________
Jennifer Wallace
Level 3 Instructor
McHenry, IL (Chicago area)

The camp is as good as the instructor. If anybody out there is thinking about joining the ckm FAMILY; STOP THINKING AND GO AHEAD SIGN UP. The camp is worth all the time, money and effort. Moni's system is one of the best, efficient and right to the point(SELF DEFENCE). No games, no tricks. I'm a black belt in severals other styles of martial arts but CKM is as far as im concern the most efective way of smart self defence. I will like to congratulate Moni for developing such a great system and most importantly the selection of great instructors in the elite team. Andrew was fantastic, observing him peform the tecniques and his ability to teach was extraordinary. Good choice Moni and we were bless on having him guide us in our training. Hey Andrew remember this....... MONI RULES......

Dr A
Texas

For those of you who have already taken a CKM course, you already have a taste of what the style is about and how well the instructors are. For those of you who have not yet attended a CKM Boot camp or Certification course you will definitely get your moneys worth when it comes to the skills taught and the training experience and instruction you will receive.

Let me start by saying that I have been training in the martial arts for 12+ years now and come from a reality based background. I am a third degree black belt in Tai Kit Kuen Kung Fu, have also trained some in Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, Aikido, iaido, and have attended seminars in Krav Maga, Knife fighting, Hapkido and more. I have been teaching for 5 years, own my own school, and I love to learn and refine my skills. I am also a Skeptic and like to see for myself that the techniques I learn and pass on to my students are effective. I was originally skeptical about spending my hard earned money for this course as I have been irritated in the past when spending money for well hyped, well known instructors seminars that did not deliver.

Having said that, I have now attended the level 1&2 course twice, have watched and practiced many of the techniques on Moni''s videos, and am getting ready to sign up for level 3. I have been continuously impressed with the level of skill by Moni and his CKM Elite Instructors. The system itself has proved to me time and again that the techniques work well, and were well thought out and tested before passing them on to new students and instructors.

For those of you thinking about taking a course, this is the real deal, and if you come in with an open mind and let the techniques prove themselves to you as you learn them, I can tell you that you won''t be disappointed. If you have not tested the skills you currently have under stress and in a realistic as possible environment, you will be pleasantly surprised as well as receive a dose of reality. As I said I come from a reality based system already, and we practice and teach many scenarios to be as ''realistic'' as possible...... but nothing is like the stress testing that Moni and his team of instructors put you through.

If you cannot preform your techniques under stress, What is the point! If the techniques are too difficult to deploy, What is the Point! Strive to be better and learn everything you can to better your chances of survival. And last but not least, do not criticize a style or technique, even if you''ve seen it, until YOU have tested and preformed it under stress to see if it really works.

Thanks again to CKM team for really caring about your students and instructors by giving us the opportunity to help others be confident in defending themselves in a confrontation, while giving us ways to be safer and more effective. Keep it up, keep evolving, and I can''t wait to train with you again.

Ki Shu

MI just wanted to take a second to thank Johnny and Moni and my CKM family for everything they have given me. I come from a Military (US MARINES) and a Force Protection contract background, so I only know reality based fighting. I was a US Marine Rifleman at 17; my life has been fighting and shooting. I love the simplicity of CKM when your life is in danger you don't think clearly. You only react and respond with preprogrammed responses. CKM will program the proper response for the greatest chance of survival from an attack, however few things in this world are certain. With that in mind we must train harder and harder and keep our minds open for us to evolve. I have studied military( LINE/ MCMAP) martial arts and loved them, until I became a CKM instructor and now see where some things can improve. I would like to thank Kevin Coker in Tallahassee Florida for showing me the door. Never in any training I have received over the years was I confronted with a more physically demanding challenge as I was in the Instructor course. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Train hard and stay safe.

"All war is deception."
Sun Tzu

Brad

My name is William B. and I just recently passed my Level 1 and Level 2 CKM instructor certification course.

The training exceeded my expectations and I finished with very high marks. I believe in this system and feel very fortunate to be trained by Moni Aizik and Ilan Rosenberg. I am a first generation student learning from the source and in my opinion there is nothing better then that!

I am proud to apart of this family and I will recommend everyone take this program. Look forward to my future here at CKM and meeting more of you as time comes.

Mr. Bray

First, THANK YOU MONI!

I could go on for hours about what you have developed. I had no idea what to expect.
What the Philadelphia group experienced was nothing short of amazing. Intense, thorough, REALISTIC, and professional. The most amazing part, I understand that level 1-2 is only scratching the surface
of Moni's genius.

Second, THANK YOU ILAN,

Your instruction ....... Superb. The way you represented CKM and your obvious respect for and confidence in Moni, CKM and your colleagues, re-assured me that CKM was the right choice. Ilan, you are a very inspirational man. Thank you. It is my intention to be a part of the CKM family eternally. If your colleagues are anything like you, it is a fantastic family to be associated with. A privilage to be a part of.
I gave you my word I'd be ready for Level 3. Rest assured, I will. Then 4, 5, 6....

Don, Ramon, Stephania, and William.... I could not have hand picked a more perfect group to have this experience with. Thank you for your support of one another, and me.

Glynn Barber: Level 2 instructor, CKM

Well said Johnny. And to the new instructors...Big congrats! You are now part of some thing very special and will be around for a long time. Why? Like Johnny said, we evolve and improve. Year after year we strive to do it better than the last. We adjust and we simplify for the sake our student’s lives.

When I started training in CKM, I did my research to the point I was almost obsessive because I had no Martial Arts experience and no frame of reference. To make a decision, I had to watch clip after clip, video after video of the many types of reality based systems available. And of course I read all the hundreds of testimonials on how one was system was better than the other or “don’t train with that guy, train with us. We’re great, “that guy is terrible”.

CKM appealed to for two reasons. The first being CKM’s philosophy of think like a Commando. Engage the enemy only if there is no other choice, but if you must then exploit his weaknesses to create maximum damage as quickly as possible. Then rapidly disengage before a weapon is introduced or if his friends come to jump in. The goal is simple: Survival.

I had no interest in “fighting”, standing man to man, face to face and trying to punch it out with an attacker who I had no idea what their fighting skills were or how crazy they might be and me win just for the sake of pride. I have two kids and a wife. My interest was JUST TO SURVIVE and teach my family and others to do the same. CKM was the logical choice. I needed no suave sales pitches. The video clips said it all. I researched all the video available from various systems, compared their defense tactics to the same attacks. Again, CKM made the most sense and the most logical choice. At that time I said to myself, “that will work for me”. Now I can with full confidence say CKM is the best system.

The second reason is that for all the research I did, Moni and CKM maintained their honor and respectfulness. They did not bash other systems. CKM exuded confidence in their system’s effectiveness. And all the bashing seemed to say one thing to me….The mudslingers were just trying to protect their wallets and their pride. At that time, I did at least know that in Martial Arts you maintained respect and honor. I learned that from the Karate Kid.

Its four years later. I now know Moni as a mentor, father figure master instructor and one who genuinely cares about his instructors and students. He is a smart business man and truly a genius and like Johnny said, “A true martial artist is humble, honorable, wise, respectful and true hearted” and Moni is all these things.

I am proud to be a part of the CKM family.

I have been thinking about my martial experience and what CKM has meant to me over the last three years. This is a great system and it is so simple to use and teach as long as you practice and stay connected. I appreciate Moni and his method of teaching. As a Christian Minister it is important to me not to focus on punishing the attacker but at the same time having skills to protect me and my loved ones. CKM does just that. I want to encourage all of you to continue in the system and learn all you can. We are at the beginning of something great. In the 70''s everybody wanted to do the Bruce lee thing Jeet Kune Do. After that it was the Ninja thing. Lately BJJ is the craze. All of these phases have been great CKM is the wave of the future. Lets keep it going and lets keep the family tight. Thank you Moni Im looking forward to level 5.

Pastor Alyn Waller Level 4 CKM Instructor

I have just finished the Level 1 & 2 instructor training boot camp, and wanted to share some of my impressions for anyone considering CKM.

For some quick background on me, I am in my late 30’s and an executive in the financial/investment industry. I enjoy sports (in particular outdoor/mountain), have a young family (two children below 4 years old). I recently did a review of various aspects of my life and in thinking about our security I realized that I would not know how to react if a dangerous situation came up, particularly if my wife or children were with me. Although I am very active I have never really done much in the way of martial arts or self defense.

I had always been struck by hearing stories about people that had spent years or even decades earning black belts in some martial art and then getting killed by an inexperienced thug with a knife. The reason this happens is because in a moment of crisis there is little time to think – the body reverts to what it knows and is used to. In the case of martial arts experts, the virtues of their “art” become their liabilities, since they are used to respecting the “adversary” and avoiding hurting them, particularly in sensitive areas. When someone is in front of you with a knife or a gun and wants to take your money, your wife or something else of value, or he has you on the ground punching or choking you, they are not playing by any rules and you need a safety system that responds to this reality. I did a significant amount of research and found that Krav Maga generally had some very attractive features: it is designed to be learned much more quickly than traditional martial arts, it designed for real world conflict (the ugly kind) and simplicity and effectiveness are key. “Traditional” Krav Maga, however, seemed to be leaned towards a militaristic approach and rely on aggressiveness and engagement (please note that I neither am, nor claim to be, an authority on this subject, so everything in this testimonial is based only on my perceptions – please refer to appropriate sources for authoritative descriptions).

I then came across “Commando Krav Maga”, or CKM as its creator, Moni Aizik has called it. The civilian version of CKM (there is also a law enforcement and military version) is different from Krav Maga in two important ways. First, it focuses heavily on 1) avoidance of conflict, and 2) quick engagement/disengagement if conflict cannot be avoided. This is not a course for people who seek conflict or aggression but rather for those who seek to avoid it but want to know what to do if it becomes inevitable. Secondly, CKM does not assume that one is strong, athletic, large, has military training etc – on the contrary its techniques are designed specifically to be effective against a stronger, bigger and/or more experienced aggressor. CKM does, however, retain other key aspects of Krav Maga such as ease of learning, simplicity of movements and maximum effectiveness.

I chose it and enrolled in the Boot Camp, level 1&2. One can choose either the “self-improvement” version or the instructor certification. It is the same program and same price, the only difference being the grueling test at the end of the latter. Initially I chose the self-improvement one but on arriving at the course I decided that as long as I was there I might as well go all the way – it would be a great experience even if I did not pass the test (I did not have the intention to teach CKM afterwards).

It soon became clear that I had made the right choice in choosing CKM. Much of the philosophy behind CKM resonated perfectly with my line of thinking and what I was trying to get out of this. Some examples include:

“We do not live to fight, but we will fight to live”

“Avoidance of conflict is the best self-defense tactic”

“The “winner” is defined as the one that gets home safely to see his wife (or husband)”

Moni is described by many of the testimonials in this site, and despite not wanting to be repetitive I will add my impressions of him. Moni is a strong, charismatic man who instantly commands respect and deference. He exudes the “I can kill you, easily” factor but the irony is that someone that has such incredible skills to cause damage actually dedicates himself to helping save the lives of ordinary people in difficult situations.

Moni is unlike anyone I had previously met. Although his physical abilities are what impresses most at first, by the end of the course what comes through is how serious a professional he is, and how great a teacher he is. Moni is fully dedicated, constantly engaged and runs his course and his work with the highest level of integrity and rigor. His instructors emulate this and are also of the highest caliber. In the interest of his students’ getting the most out of the course, he runs a tight ship and there few if any distractions allowed. Unexpectedly perhaps, he also has a highly acute sensitivity of his students and (less unexpectedly) a complete awareness of everything that is going on at all times. Moni can be at the other end of the room and somehow notice that two students are having trouble with a given technique, or that another student was becoming a bit too aggressive in doing the drills (potentially risking an injury to his partner). One older woman in the course was struggling working with others – she was not progressing and was also holding others up. Moni quickly figured out that she would learn faster and better using “self-visualization” techniques, and he spent time working with her to develop these. By the end of the course, she had gained a very good understanding of, and could execute, key techniques. I believe it is likely that she would have learned almost nothing, and the rest of the group would have been frustrated, had Moni not adapted and intervened in this way.

This is just one example of Moni’s ability to solve issues in a way that everyone would get the most out of the course. Make no mistake, he is not there to cuddle or babysit you: 110% (or is it 300%?...) is expected of everyone, but he does not forget who they are and what they are capable of. I was about to write that at no point was anyone pushed beyond their limits, but this is not true. Everyone is pushed beyond the limits they think they have, but no one, and especially not the women, are ever treated badly or made to feel uncomfortable.

This experience counts as one of the most difficult I have ever undertaken, but also as one of the most rewarding. It is challenging and at times impossibly grueling (you will never forget day 3…), but everything is done for good reason and reality is always king.

I admire Moni’s professionalism and integrity and thank him, yet again, for an incredible experience and for sharing skills that could save you when there is no better alternative. I fully expect to continue with these techniques, to share them with friends and family and to see Moni again for the next chapter.

Erik M

MASTER MONI,THANK YOU FOR CREATING THE MOST EFFECTIVE SURVIVAL SYSTEM IN EXISTANCE! I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK LEVAL 6 INSTRUCTOR ILAN ROSENBERG FOR PUSHING MY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STATE TO NEW LEVALS. CKM HAS CHANGED MY LIFE,AND HAS MADE ME A STRONGER AND BETTER MAN.I AM HONORED AND PRIVALEDGED TO BE PART OF THE CKM FAMILY.I WILL PROPAGATE AND SPREAD THE GIFT YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON ME WITH HONOR AND RESPECT. CKM LEVAL 2 INSTRUCTOR - JON SIRACUSANO

I have been studying the arts for over 30 years and have trained in places that I cannot even pronounce, and have studied with some great Instructors. I have stopped teaching any traditional systems and mainly focused on the Reality Based system, I have trained under the IKMF while overseas in the Army, and let me say this that the improvments that Moni has made are by far the best and most effective. I teach four days a week and give seminars at schools for children about Bullies, home safety, and respect for others. My business is not very big and I have a number of followers that have nothing but positive words to say how Fantastic Moni''s techniques are and how effective they are.

I keep my training up and continue to polish my skills with CKM, they are a great addition to my Aiki-jujustu and Hapkido. The greatest thing is that with all my training I have found that CKM can stand alone with any system out there, I can honestly say it is the best Reality Based system out there that I have had the opportunity to learn. I will always be a student and will continue to learn everyday, I learn the most from getting involved with my students and helping them learn how to defend themselves and their loved ones! One of the biggest comments I get is " If I would have known this before it would have changed the way I defended myself". The techniques are so simple and very effective, when I teach my DT classes to police officers they are so shocked on how effective they are no matter how large your attacker is, and the beauty of it is they are always in the eye of the public and the I dont want to fight mentality is so effective! Not having to beat the holy crap out of your suspect is easier to the public eye!

All my students love the system, and they continue to praise my teaching it to them. I will continue my training and hope that I will be able to make enough to be able to move on to my next level 3 in 2011, times are tuff and I am not a Teacher who charges a fortune for something that does not work! I give to my students a system that is affordable and very effective, and hopefully with my generosity it will come back and give me great things, I love what I do and being able to save someone''s life someday with teaching CKM is a very big Dream of Mine!

My hat goes off to Moni for developing such a great system and evolving with the world as each criminal becomes smarter, Thank you Moni and your elite team for continuing to teach and promote the best system in the world " Combat survival and CKM" I will stand behind you every step of the way and someday to stand at the top with all of you with my journey to achieve the highest level I can achieve in CKM!

Moni,

After a decade of studying traditional martial arts to include some arts clearly more realistic for self defense than others, in addition to studying another reality based system, and being involved with other martial art organizations, I have clearly found a home and a family. I am 100% convinced CKM is the fastest growing reality based system in the world due to your utmost professionalism, close relationships you have with your students, and clearly creating and sharing the best reality based system in the world with others. You and your instructors are clearly concerned with all of your students' progress and want to see people improve not just in your system, but in life.

The intensive instructor's course/boot camp was as physically and mentally challenging as Marine Corps boot camp and two law enforcement academies I have attended.

I can't wait to practice what I have learned, pass on my knowledge to others, maintain the friendships I have gained with you and the CKM family throughout the year, and come back for more each year.

Moni and Combat Survival are clearly the best of the best! I highly recommend training with and learning from Moni or any instructor of the CKM family. It will be a life changing experience. Among many life lessons you will learn, courage, strength, and the will to succeed overcome adversity.

Dennis Stoika - CKM, WCKM, CKM for Law Enforcement/Military, and ECF Instructor
Former United States Marine
Former local Police Officer
Current federal Agent

This course has completely changed my perspective of self defense, and dis-arming techniques. I used to believe that it was unrealistic to think I could disarm someone with a gun to my head. Now I think the other way, it's unrealistic if someone has a gun to my head that they will succesfully use that weapon against me. I'm very confident that I can take it away using the techniques I learned in CKM from John Medero. Excellent course rendered by an outstanding instructor.

Respectfully,
Lawrence Little

This past week I was fortunate to be involved in the CKM Instructors course taught by Andrew Clough. It was a very good course and I enjoyed myself very much Andrew is a very good Instructor pushed me beyond what I normally some of the hardest training I have done in 20+ years. The brotherhood built with these guys was amazing and i hope to see you again soon

Andrew Clough is a really great guy and great Martial Artist.
Thanks for everything I will never forget it.

I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MY TIME AT THE LAS VEGAS CKM SEMINAR. IT'S NOT OFTEN WHERE OLDER DOGS GET THE BEST PULLED OUT OF THEM. CKM/ELITE COMBAT FITNESS INSTRUCTOR, ANDREW CLOUGH WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OUT OF ME AT 44 AND FELLOW U.S.M.C PARTNER, WHO'S PUSHING 40. PEOPLE OUR AGE DON'T USUALLY FIND IT EXHILARATING TO LOG JUMP, CRAB CRAWL, BURSTING JUMPS, AND BOULDER THROWS UP ROCKY MOUNTAIN TERRAINS FUN, BUT THE COMRADE THAT WE SHARED MADE IT MEMORABLE. AFTER THAT, WE MOVED ON TO OUR STRESS TEST IN A PARKING LOT ON CEMENT. WE ALL KNOW SKULL AND CONCRETE AREN'T FRIENDS. THANK YOU CKM FOR A TOP OF THE LINE REALITY BASED PROGRAM.

P.S. DON'T LET INSTRUCTOR ANDREW'S EASY SOUTHERN MANNER FOOL YOU. WHEN HE ASKS, "IF Y ALL WANNA LEARN SOME GRAPPLING TECHNIQUES", BE TRULY READY, "THE FLYING NINJA" HAD ME IN A FLYING CHOKE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE!

THANKS AGAIN, GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Hi Guys! First of all I would like to express how AMAZING the Calgary Instructors' Course was. It has actually taken me 2 weeks literally to recover from the absolute intensity of the course. In the time since, I have been eating, living, sleeping and dreaming CKM. I had the privilege of working out with a buddy of mine who is a kung fu expert and , boy was he amazed at some of the stuff I had to show him.

I want to say a big THANK YOU to Ilan who was a really awesome instructor. I look forward to working with you again. To Andy, I'd like to express my appreciation for taking time to be such an awesome Uki and teacher. The course wont have been quite as interesting if you did not show up. Plus your real life experience in the application of CKM in a real life situation serves as a reminder that every drop of sweat in the pursuit of CKM certification is worth it. To the rest of the CKM 'course apprentices', I say 'nuff respect'. Doc, you inspire me. I thought I was fit and in good shape till I met you; and despite 2 broken ribs and all, you pushed yourself to the limit and showed us all what it means to be a winner. Same goes to you Nick. You are an example of how to be a champ and achieve no matter what. To Jim, Mike and Willy I say thank you all for making those 4 days a truly memorable one. I do we all meet again in Level 3. Cheers guys

Ike

Just wanted to say how much fun this training camp was.

All of us worked really hard & have all the bumps & bruises to prove it.

As overwhelming as it can be learning over 20-30 techniques & expect to perform them properly & safely Ilan made the whole experience fun & exciting.

I am proud of being a CKM instructor & can't wait for Level 3.

Thanks again Ilan =)

Ken Unana

CKM Instructor Level 2

"Work Hard, Play Hard, Train Harder"

I recently graduated from the Calgary boot camp, and had the privilege to be guided and trained by Ilan Rosenberg during our weekend of suffering and education. There is no question that the boot camp pushes you further than most of us have ever thought possible. After over 30 years practicing martial arts, I was blown away by the practicality and lethal efficiency of the techniques. Ilan is one of those rare mentors who can drive you to your best performance -he is hard when he needs to be, and clear in his teaching, and always impressive in his technique. He is a true leader. I am hooked! I hope to see all of my new CKM friends at Boot camp 3 in the near future.

As Moni said during one of his instructional videos, if you can feel pain, you are still alive! Keep going.

CKM knife techniques work great! I have had a man try to come after me with a knife since my training in the CT course in april! I was able to spot him and disarm and disengage him while he lunged with a knife! I have to say he was surprised. as well as the police when they arived that I was able to disarm him.
I have been setting up to keep my training up and getting more student in Upstate new york around Buffalo! Thanks to Johnny for his great instruction in CT and to moni for creating CKM! I hope to speak with you again soon!

Lucas Wyant
CKM Instructor level II

First I would like to thank Moni, Andrew and Dennis for putting on such and awesome course. It was extremely well organized, and everyone was so very helpful. I am proud to be a part of the CKM family and am excited to offer this training to my students as well as incorporate it into my own arsenal of self defense tactics.

The first day of the training was incredible, spending the whole day on techniques was amazing, usually you have several different drills put in and the techniques are only half the days training. I appreciated this immensely since I was unfamiliar with the curriculum. I had assumed that CKM would be similar to the reality self defense training I am already doing, but is was not. I guess everyone assumes that since the words "Krav Maga" are used that it would be the same as all the other Krav Maga systems. We need to understand that Krav and Maga are two words and not the definition of a particular style, they are used in the descriptions of Israeli Systems, which are not all the same. That being said, the Commando Krav Maga focus on survival was awesome. Learning to get away first, is not something new however the way it is introduced, explained and demonstrated is new. We need to survive the attack, not stay and fight.

When it came to the ground techniques (which we did outside on a great day) I loved it. The 5 second rule makes so much sense and if you really take it seriously it will save your life, we should be training in this manner all the time. Following this up with the surprise attacks was really fun and realistic. I went home that day with a million things in my head, the simplest techniques, and that was it, you were out of the danger.

Getting a taste of Elite Fitness was, um....humbling. I am in pretty good shape and WOW it was crazy, it incorporated everything needed in order to excel at reality self defense training, the take downs, and knife stuff was really a great asset to the training. I also loved the knees and carrying my partner. By the time it was over which, felt like forever, I must say I was beat and then to follow it up with surprise attacks was an incredible way of going above your comfort level and really feeling it. It was a great day!

I also loved and appreciated the interviews with Moni, he really cares about his system and who is representing him, he is willing to answer any questions and is really open minded. During the course he was completely approachable and in my opinion had no ego, I felt this way about Andrew and Dennis as well (Dennis has the greatest laugh). It was great to be able to watch as Moni watched Andrew teach some of the course, he looked extremely proud of this dynamic instructor. It was great to observe. Andrew with his fresh knee injury (although he looked funny hobbling around) never let it get in the way of his teaching, he continued on the whole 4 days, very impressive!!!

The testing was also unique, there was no hazing or trick questions, we simply had to show what we knew about all of the techniques, again we were testing for Levels 1 and 2 so there was a lot of material, we got an amazing amount of information in a very short time, but due to the simplicity of the techniques we were able to demonstrate and remember them, maybe not (for me) perfectly, but we got the idea.

So about the 7 minutes....WHAT?? You must be kidding, who ever heard of that?? Well Moni did and it was a great challenge, once again it doesn't matter if you are sick or tired, you have to defend yourself, this was a great drill in doing just that, you have to change your mindset into one of survival, and it works!

My partners in this course were great, both extremely strong and so helpful, we all worked together to be sure we all knew what we need to in order to pass and "survive" There were two other present instructors testing for level 3 and 4, I am sorry I did not get to talk to them much since they were practicing across the room, but I could see some of the really great looking higher level techniques they were doing.
We finished the testing and were waiting for the results, I must admit I really wasn't so confident that I had passed, I knew there were some things that although I understood them, I still didn't have down the way I wanted to, but I knew that whatever the outcome, it was totally worth making these great friends learning more about survival and being introduced to Commando Krav Maga. Moni and Andrew and Dennis came out and told us that we had all passed the testing. It was an amazing feeling. At the end of the testing and in fact each day of training, we all got in a circle and put our hands on each others while Moni counted to three we all let out a cheering CKM and the course was done. It was a great feeling of family and accomplishment. It was completley worth every moment!!

Thank You!
SG

I just want to say what a great job everyone did @ the CKM course in Lake in The Hills , Illinois this past Memorial Day Weekend. I was a bit skeptical already coming from a reality based style of Kung Fu, but was pleasantly amazed at the training.
I thought the challenge of the pressure tests was AWESOME and really enjoyed learning new techniques as well as drills and ways to teach.

Coming out of the training I am excited to get teaching and sharing with students what I have learned. I look forward to future training camps. Moni and Andrew were great instructors. I am impressed at how well the system is organized.

Thanks again

Other than the CKM website and what I saw on the History Channel, I really didn't know anything about Commando Krav Maga. After just receiving 40 hours of training under Andrew Clough and Moni Aizik in Charleston, SC, I now definitely have a handle on what they do:

They teach self defense in its most devastating and simplest terms. Nothing more, nothing less.

My background in h to h combat prior to Charleston was limited to what I learned during my years in the military. I trained in 'army combatives' (a jiu jitsu-based system) and had incredible instructors. To be honest, however, those combatives seemed slightly 'sporty' at times. I found myself in the habit of trying to get an arm bar or figure four, etc when perhaps a simple gouge in the eyes would have been faster and more effective to neutralize the situation. This is just one example, but it speaks to my point: If all is fair in love and war (I certainly believe this maxim), people should look no further than CKM. It is no-nonsense. It is devastating. It is taught in such a way that it should be: under stress. Performing techniques well while relaxed in a lily field is fine, but learning to 'do' under pressure is the key. It is the way militaries have trained their soldiers for thousands of years: practice getting the job done while the chips are down and the s@#t is hitting the fan. This is one of the conceptual benchmarks of CKM, and it is one that I whole-heartedly agree with as a war veteran who was trained under this philosophy for years.

The training environment had what I've always called the 'sweet spot of learning': not to relaxed that you don't respect the subject matter at hand, but not to rigid that the pursuit of knowledge is a stoic bore. I was impressed by the professionalism of all the instructors at the course.

Andrew, you're the man. You're skills are something to aspire to, and your dynamics of patience, encouragement, and toughness is one that fosters a desire to learn.

Moni, your background and experience command and deserve respect, and so does the choke you showed me (ha, couldn't resist). A dynamic system is one that requires a lot of R&D, time, and passion. It's inspiring to see the passion you bring to your brand of Krav.

All in all, I'm happy with my experience at CKM, and would/will recommend these courses to any and all who wish to pursue a phenomenal defense system.

-Stooks, Level II instructor, Charleston 2010, Aug 19-22

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2010 Charleston, SC Combat Survival 4-day Boot Camp!!!

As a member of the CKM Elite Team, I have the opportunity to travel all around the country teaching courses for the Combat Survival organization. It is an honor that I hold tightly and appreciate dearly; as I truly believe we have the best system available anywhere, as well as the most talented and most knowledgeable Chief Instructor and Founder in all of the world, Moni Aizik.

This past week I arrived in Charleston, SC on Wednesday around 10:30am to help Moni work with a private client he had scheduled. It was another great experience for me to not only learn more techniques, but it was also a great opportunity for me to watch how Moni works with his private students. My job was mainly to offer myself as a body for the client to be able to practice what he wanted to work on while Moni directed him. It was interesting to watch someone with so much knowledge transfer what he knows to someone else in such a humble manner. At no time did Moni ever act like he was some guru that demanded respect because of what he had to offer the gentleman that he was training. Instead, it was more like a meeting between friends where one was simply trying to help another. If I could describe Moni's approach to working with this student through my own eyes, it was one of extreme focus with a casual demeanour.

I met the student in the lobby of the hotel, and he and I proceeded to the room where we were going to be training. Moni soon knocked on the door and came in greeting us both with his usual firm handshake and "BIG HUG". We made some brief small tallk and then he asked the client "Ok...What do you want to learn today?" The student explained to Moni what he wanted to work on and why, and Moni wasted no time in going right to work teaching what was being sought. Moni sat down in a chair and directed how he wanted me and the student to interact with each other, getting up to demonstrate or gain a different view as we worked through each technique. It was interesting to witness how he explained and demonstrated things to the student. Moni was very unintimidating and very patient in his teaching. He patiently gave the student time to work through any issues and pointed out how to fix his mistakes along the way. When he felt the student had gotten to a point where he understood a technique, he would get this big smile on his face like a father who just witnessed his son ride a bike for the first time and then simply say..."Ok...What do you want to work on next?" We did this for a couple of hours and were then joined by Johnny Medero, another fellow CKM Elite Team member. When Johnny got there it was another short round of handshakes, big hugs, and pats on the back with jokes and small talk. Then Moni said in a very focused tone; "Ok...Let's get get back to work!" We worked a bit longer and then Moni exclaimed it was time for some food.

Moni treated us all to lunch at a place within walking distance from the hotel where we sat and talked for a good while. It was interesting conversation that coverered everything from casual subjects like what movies we had all seen lately to more serious subjects like politics and religion. I have spent a good bit of time with Moni in conversations over breakfast, lunch, and dinner...and I must say that he talks very little about himself directly unless asked to share something about himself. Sitting down to a meal with Moni is like eating with a good friend who just happens to be a psychologist, motivational speaker, and life coach. He makes you feel that he is genuinely interested in what you have done, what you are thinking and doing, and where you are going with your life. Moni is more than just a tough guy with seriuous skills and talent. He is a scholar, an artist, musician...and above all else...a good man to have in your corner...a true friend.

Many people don't get to experience Moni's personality away from the dojo, gym, and courses. There is so much knowledge he has to focus on transferring to each student at camp that there isn't much time for really getting to know him outside of the training. As a member of the CKM Elite Team, I have the opportunity to see the other side, and I can tell you without hesitation that Moni Aizik is a man of integrity, honesty, and humbleness. He is a true "master" that has never once expected me to bow to him at any time...although if any of my instructors have ever deserved this honor, it would be him. He is a sportsman...loves competition, nature, fishing, swimming in the ocean, and diving. He plays the piano and has a love for good food and intelligent conversation. I can confidently say that Moni Aizik is a true renaissance man!

I think it is important for people to know the truth about who Moni really is as a man. It is important for each of you who have gone through the instructor course to know that your chief instructor has your best interests at heart. He sincerely cares for each of his students and wants to see each of you succeed. There is no greed in Moni. Unlike some systems that require you to pay huge liscensing fees every month after already paying big money to go through an instructor's course, Moni only asks that if you want to continue to teach Combat Survival to come back and continue your training so that you will progress and better your skills. He allows you as instructors the freedom to run your schools, classes, and seminars any way you see fit as long as it reflects possitively on the Combat Survival organization and family. Some people try to say that the courses are too expensive, but I would argue that they are cheap by comparison when you weigh in the liscensing fees and other dues that are imposed by other organizations. Besides, you get what you pay for in life. If you want to learn the best system, are you going to choose a lessor system just because it is a few hundreds of dollars cheaper...maybe even a thousand dollars cheaper? I mean what we do is teach people how to protect life! Are you really going to trust the lives of those you are trying to protect with something less than the best? Do you want to learn from anyone but the best? Would you settle for anything but the best when it comes to learning how to protect life...your own life...the lives of your children...your wife...your fellow law enforcement officers, your fellow soldiers on the battlefield? I would hope that you would agree that when it comes time to choose a defense system that defending life is something that you don't compromise over. I know that I want to learn the best concepts and techniques possible to protect life, and I want to have the best instructor. That is why I am proud to say that I am a part of the Combat Survival University and a devoted student of Moni Aizik. To me, there is no compromise!!!

After lunch, we all walked back to the hotel and continued training the private student. Moni trained him for another two hours. During that time, he let Johnny and I experiement with some of the techniques he was teaching. We both walked away from the session with more knowledge than we possessed when we walked in the room earlier that day. It has always amazed me at how just a simple turn of a wrist, different placement of a finger, or slight step of a foot can change the entire dynamics of a technique. Understanding the details and being able to transfer that knowledge of the details to students is what separates a great intructor from a good instructor. Moni is all about the details. He wants you to understand not only how to perform a given technique, but he also wants you to know why a technique works, and how to avoid making mistakes. He is not just a great instructor...but a prodigy...a genius.

The next morning as Moni, Linda, Johnny, and I were all sitting around the table at breakfast...I couldn't help to think that this would be a special course for me. Charleston, SC was where I got my start in CKM. I did my Level 1 & 2 Instructor's Course there in 2008 under Moni's instruction, and had gotten my Level 3 certification there as well. It would also be the first time that I would teach alongside Moni, Johnny, and Linda under the same roof. I had taught with Moni before...but I had never been a part of a course this big. We were going to have Levels 1 & 2, 3, & 4 students, Levels 1 & 2 TOP students, and SmartSafe students all working at the same time. Also, a couple of my buddies (Richard Green and Steven Gardner) who have been with me from the start of my CKM experience were going for their Level 4 certifications. We had all gotten certified in Levels 1 & 2 at the same time back in 2008 in Charleston, SC...followed by our Level 3 there in 2009. Now they were coming back to get their Level 4. It was different now though because I wouldn't be doing it with them. I had already gotten my Level 4 early in the first part of the year down in Miami and had gotten selected to be on the CKM Elite Team. They would be there training...I would be there teaching Levels 1 & 2.

I had worked with both Steven and Richard together on two weekends leading up to the course, and was anxious to see how they would perform. When we got there and I saw them training, I realized that they were going to make it if they didn't get injured. They are like my brothers...so it was a good feeling when I would glance over and see them pulling the technical techniques. They both went on to pass their Level 4 tests. Congratulations guys!!!

We also had some people who trained that were there for enhancement. They were all in town taking advantage of the Gold Club Member privilege of being able to attend any instructor's training course for free up to each of their current levels. Gold Club members can attend any course anywhere in the world as many times a year as they like up to their current level free of charge. It is a great program, and all serious instructors should be members so that they have access to as much training as possible with Moni and the rest of the Elite Team instructors to stay sharp and prepare for their next levels. We had Angel, Kevin, David, and others come to train for enhancement. I had been through both Levels 1 & 2 and 3 with Angel, so it was like seeing a little sister again when Angel walked in the door. Kevin, better known as "Spider Monkey" came in for a couple of days to get some enhancement. He and I went through our Level 4 training together down in Miami, and it was great to see him doing well. David...Thanks for all your help working with everyone. You are one colorful character, and I hope to see more of you in the future. It was also good to see Dennis and some of the other guys who I have met through my CKM travels. Dennis, thanks to you as well for your help with training.

The course was bursting with energy from the very start of the first day all the way through to the end! To all of my guys who trained with me in Level's 1 & 2. Thank you for giving it your all. Todd, Joe, Wilson, Michael, Steven, and Kevin...I am proud to have gotten the opportunity to work with each of you. Kevin...You made it all the way through brother...Give yourself a BIG pat on the back...Congratulations!!! Michael and Steven...I am sorry that you were not able to continue...but I hope to see you both back at another course soon. You both pushed hard even when you were hurting. Todd, Joe, and Wilson...Congratulations on getting your CKM Level 1 & 2 Certifications!!! I have no doubts that each of you will make great instructors. You have the homework...all you have to do is train.

To all of the Level 4 guys...Congratulations!!! Alan...It was fun "wrestling" with you and "Spider Monkey" with all the arm bars...triangles...and clinch take downs while working with the knife. I think we pretty much covered everything that a person could do wrong while knife fighting. If Moni had been filming us, he would have had an instant "What Not To Do" video to sell...LOL...I think "Spider Monkey" broke the tip of one of those plastic training knives off in between two of my ribs when I caught him in that triangle. It was a perfect reminder of why we don't go to the ground with the knife. Good times though...and a good memory. Oh...and Alan. I submitted the footage of that final surprise attack on Sunday to Bill O'Reily on FOX News...I thought he would get a big kick out of it. You really cracked me up with that brother...loved it!!! Hope to see you again soon. Richard and Steven...we need to start training for level 5 ASAP!!! Next weekend???

To Linda and all of the SmartSafe women...Congratulations!!! That includes you too Dennis...and by the way...I have photos of you and David doing some suspicious work out by the car. How much are the pics worth? Some may think it's crazy to bribe a man with your connections, but I ain't scared. Linda, you did an amazing job teaching the women's course. Each time I walked by or looked over that way everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time learning. Good job! I think Moni should reward you with a new computer.

Johnny "Guerilla" Medero...What can I say brother? Congratulations to you and all of your TOP Law Enforcement students!!! Your students should be proud to have gotten a chance to work with such a talented and passionate instructor. I watched you guys working next to me...and I was impressed with what I witnessed. To Sean...It was great working with you brother. Congratulations once again to all of you guys!!!

I want to give a "BIG HUG" and a big thanks to Moni for including me in on something that I think will strengthen the CKM system even more. One of the highlights of the past week for me in Charleston came after the course was done and all the students had gone home. Moni had told me leading up to the course that he and the Elite Team would stay after the course was over to take a look at existing techniques in the curriculum to see what we could do to make the system even more effective and simple. I was excited to get to be a direct part of this evolution process. I felt like having Moni Aizik ask me to be a part of trying to improve upon techniques in the CKM system would be parallel to having Bruce Lee ask to help him take a look at JKD back in the day. It was one of the greatest highlights and honors of my combatives/martial-arts career. It is a day I will always remember.

After all the students had parted...Moni, Linda, Johnny, and I went to work looking at how we could improve upon certain things in the curriculum. Moni already had in his mind what he wanted to take a look at and experiment with when we started working. He had Johnny and I stand facing each other and then told us to go to work while he watched...analyzing our movements...our reactions to attacks.

Everyone played a part in the process. Moni of course brought his amazing insight and knowledge of fighting...while reminding us of the integrity, principals, and concepts that we needed to maintain within the evolution process. Johnny brought his vast martial arts and combatives experience...as well as street knowledge to the table. Linda brought something of enormous value that neither Moni, Johnny, or I could bring to the meeting...a woman's perspective. I shared my own opinions and demonstrated what I thought was best based on what I know.

What we concluded in the end was that the solution to our targeted issue was staring right at us within the existing CKM concepts and principles which Moni had already implemented in the existing curriculum. It was an exciting process to watch Moni analyze and reason with us about the pros and cons of different movements and reactions to each attack. What impressed me the most was how he showed an enormously genuine concern for the average student's well-being and safety and reminded us of our own duty as Elite Team instructors to seek to find solutions to issues that were within the boundaries of our existing principles. I left that meeting knowing that we can't compromise our moral position and committment to our core principles if we are going to be the best at what we do in an ethical manner. He made this clear time and time again as we debated our options.

Evolution is what sets CKM apart from other more traditional systems. Moni is always looking to advance the system regardless of how perfect it may seem at the time. He is not too proud to recognize when something needs to be changed, and won't drag his toes finding a solution. Each of us are a part of the evolution process. Share your concerns and comments with Moni and the Elite Team if you are having issues with certain techniques. It may be that you are just not getting a small detail and that there is nothing wrong with the technique once you correct what is being missed...or it may be that the technique just needs to be modified for your specific body type and biomechnanics. We are all working towards the same goal of creating the ultimate defense system, and I can tell you that I am more excited than ever to go out across the country and teach other instructors now that I have been a part of the evolution process with Moni Aizik and Elite Team and have seen what changes are coming next.

One last word...

This is to all of you out there who may be trying to discredit our system, our leader, our instructors, our students, and our Combat Survival family because you have nothing better to do than sit behind a computer all day dreaming up ways to take us down with slander. These are my friends, brothers, and sisters you are attacking...and Moni is a good friend, father figure, and mentor to many of us under the Combat Survival umbrella and elsewhere. I am totally confident in putting our sytem up against any other reality based system out there. Why don't you guys worry about your own training and clean up around your own house instead of trying to throw your garbage all over our front lawn. I am getting so tired of reading all the ridiculous remarks and lies. Moni says let the little dogs bark on the side of the road while we walk on through like a mighty elephant...but I'm honestly about ready to use a more "rhino" approach on some of you clowns!!!

I don't want to fight...
_________________
ANDREW CLOUGH
CKM Elite Team Instructor
ECF Certified Trainer
Elite Kettlebell Certified Trainer
Savannah, GA

"Today's the day..."

I just finished four intensive days of training here in Charleston, with Moni Aizik and my CKM brothers and sisters.I was going for my level 4 certification and i knew it would be a huge challenge for me. Not just physically but mentally,there is a huge amount of information to process.Moni Aiziks training methods are fantastic , he unloads all the techniques on you and has you train them into muscle memory.After a couple of days your actually dreaming about techniques, now you can actually do them with your eyes closed.Moni takes time to make sure you understand how every technique works,and to make sure that you can proficiently pass this knowledge on to your students.His elite team instructors like Andrew and Johnny are hand picked by Moni because they are exceptional teachers them selves, and they will do anything they can to help you out.I told Andrew weeks ago that i would like some help preparing myself,he came up from Savannah to train with me, then the next weekend he made time to train with me again thats how it is at CKM.If your looking at different systems let me tell you what you will learn at this boot camp or CKM lessons is simply the most effective,devastating and simple to use under pressure techniques available today.The system constantly evolves, not just staying the same year after year.There is a reason we are the top reality system today, that's because we are the best.This bootcamp was training TOP police officers,level 1-2, level 4, self improvment and Smartsafe for ladies self defence which looked awesome.Everyone that was there saw blood,sweat tears and oh yes also some vomit, and we came out better people with a bond that will last forever.Now i go back to my school knowing that i'm a quality instructor,not just some lazy dude in the office with a certificte.If your close to Charleston get in touch i'll introduce you to CKM come and join the family.

Richard Green
Charleston SC

I just completed the Level 4 boot camp. Richard and I have been training together since my first boot camp for Level 1&2. Andrew was there from the begining too, and I have no reservation tellng all that Andrew's skills from that day on have been so sharp that it was no surprise that Moni chose him to be an Elite Team Instructor. Richard and I met up with Andrew in Charleston and then in Savannah to prep for our Level 4 camp because there is so much information that is given, and so much that we as instructors are responsible for. Moni doesn't pass people just because they show up. Let me tell everyone something, Moni does not fluff anything. He will train you as if your life depends on it, and that is because to those of us who have learned CKM, we know that our lives, and the lives of our students do depend on it. Moni will bring the best to the top of every student, sharpen each student, and then pour himself into each one of them. Andrew, I can not tell you how valuable your help meant to me. Johnny, it truly was a pleasure meeting you my brother. Your skills and teaching ability really helped me learn not only my new techniques, but also helped me with my understanding of how CKM continues to build upon itself. I still prefer not to ever see the claws though. Moni, I am so honored to be trained personally by you, to have your attention and direction during our boot camps is truly humbling, and I can't say enough about how much I admire you as a martial artist and person. To anyone thinking about getting trained in a reality based self defense system, let me tell you how powerful CKM really is...I had NO prior martial art experience prior to learning from Moni, and I now know techniques that no other martial art teaches. I have heard from people like Andrew, Richard, and many others that while they have many many years of prior martial art experience, none of it compares to the simplicity and the devistation that CKM brings. Like the IDF, Israeli DEFENSE force, CKM focuses on defending yourself, and if you have to "bring it" to the enemy, then CKM will give you the skills needed to bring it like no other. Just like the poloitical garbage we get on the news day in and day out, people take issue with CKM because, in the end, they can not compare nor compete, so they try ad hominem attacks to make themselves feel better. Such a sad existence when you try to make yourself feel better by trying to pull down what you either know nothing about, OR you feel bad that you are not involved. I have seen some other systems techniques on line, and am shocked that people actually teach them to small students who can not perform them on large attackers. CKM's techniques address just such issues. If you are looking, stop and find a CKM instructor near you for a "sample". If you like it....well you will, get some more!

thanks to all my CKM brothers all around the world, Moni, Andrew, Johnny, Richard, Allen, and most of all to God for leading me to a system that has given me the tools I need to protect my family.

Steven Gardner
CKM Level 4
Fight to LIVE!!

I just finished Level 1&2 CKM Instructor Certification. I look like a cheetah with blue and purple spots over my entire body. I have been teaching World Wide KravMaga for over 3 years and Tae Kwon Do off and on for over 20 years 6 years full time. I found this course to be one of the best I have ever experienced. I am glad to be part of a very special team of brothers and sisters and look forward to getting my own school up and running in a couple of months. The instruction was top notch and professional and from the very first day I knew that the skill were for real. I analyze all skills with the litmus of if my daughter at 115 pounds were to come up against a 250 pound man would it work. I feel kinda sorry for the 250 pound man, well not really, but you get my point. I will be recommending this training to anyone who will listen. I'm looking forward to continue to develope my skill and will see you at future events.

Todd Spor
CKM Level 2
Instructor

I began researching CKM a year ago, I looked at a lot of reality based systems out there over the last year. But I came back to CKM. I was drawn to the sincerity, and simplicity of the truth, “Simplicity is Genius” of Mr. Moni Aizik. I am currently in the Military, I have been taught the Army combative system, but I never liked the lack of reality in the teaching. I never walked away feeling comfortable in the information that was passed down. Nothing ever started spontaneously, they treated it like a sport with a referee watching. In real life there is never anybody who says “GO” to start a fight, or stops the fight when someone “taps”.

I was at first hesitant about going. I did not know what to expect. However I was very humbled by the “Elite Team Instructors” They were confident, and proficient in what they taught without strutting arrogance. They took the time to explain each of the movements, and took time to help those who needed some extra guidance. Andrew you are a good Instructor, You took the time to help out, and look out for those who need it, even if they did not know it themselves. That speaks a lot to your character, and as an Instructor. It was an Honor to meet you, and to be you demonstrator. I know “others” enjoyed watching you throw me around. "Opposing Forces"

The course itself was intense; I left each day feeling that learning had occurred. In the morning I went there looking forward to training and learn something new. The techniques that were taught were simple and effective. There is nothing like an “eye gouge” to understand the effectiveness and seriousness of what is being taught. If the course had been anything less, than what it was, I would have been disappointed.
I would recommend CKM to anyone who is looking to learn something new, or perhaps just looking for some self improvement. Whatever your reason, if you won’t be disappointed!!
As much as the course left its mark on me, with its teaching and such….. I know I left my mark…..mainly on the floor!! Yeah I was that guy..I puked!!! Kevin I owe you pal, Thanks!!!

Rolling Stooksberry

First I would like to thank Moni, Andrew and Dennis for putting on such and awesome course. It was extremely well organized, and everyone was so very helpful. I am proud to be a part of the CKM family and am excited to offer this training to my students as well as incorporate it into my own arsenal of self defense tactics.

The first day of the training was incredible, spending the whole day on techniques was amazing, usually you have several different drills put in and the techniques are only half the days training. I appreciated this immensely since I was unfamiliar with the curriculum. I had assumed that CKM would be similar to the reality self defense training I am already doing, but is was not. I guess everyone assumes that since the words "Krav Maga" are used that it would be the same as all the other Krav Maga systems. We need to understand that Krav and Maga are two words and not the definition of a particular style, they are used in the descriptions of Israeli Systems, which are not all the same. That being said, the Commando Krav Maga focus on survival was awesome. Learning to get away first, is not something new however the way it is introduced, explained and demonstrated is new. We need to survive the attack, not stay and fight.

When it came to the ground techniques (which we did outside on a great day) I loved it. The 5 second rule makes so much sense and if you really take it seriously it will save your life, we should be training in this manner all the time. Following this up with the surprise attacks was really fun and realistic. I went home that day with a million things in my head, the simplest techniques, and that was it, you were out of the danger.

Getting a taste of Elite Fitness was, um....humbling. I am in pretty good shape and WOW it was crazy, it incorporated everything needed in order to excel at reality self defense training, the take downs, and knife stuff was really a great asset to the training. I also loved the knees and carrying my partner. By the time it was over which, felt like forever, I must say I was beat and then to follow it up with surprise attacks was an incredible way of going above your comfort level and really feeling it. It was a great day!

I also loved and appreciated the interviews with Moni, he really cares about his system and who is representing him, he is willing to answer any questions and is really open minded. During the course he was completely approachable and in my opinion had no ego, I felt this way about Andrew and Dennis as well (Dennis has the greatest laugh). It was great to be able to watch as Moni watched Andrew teach some of the course, he looked extremely proud of this dynamic instructor. It was great to observe. Andrew with his fresh knee injury (although he looked funny hobbling around) never let it get in the way of his teaching, he continued on the whole 4 days, very impressive!!!

The testing was also unique, there was no hazing or trick questions, we simply had to show what we knew about all of the techniques, again we were testing for Levels 1 and 2 so there was a lot of material, we got an amazing amount of information in a very short time, but due to the simplicity of the techniques we were able to demonstrate and remember them, maybe not (for me) perfectly, but we got the idea.

So about the 7 minutes....WHAT?? You must be kidding, who ever heard of that?? Well Moni did and it was a great challenge, once again it doesn''t matter if you are sick or tired, you have to defend yourself, this was a great drill in doing just that, you have to change your mindset into one of survival, and it works!

My partners in this course were great, both extremely strong and so helpful, we all worked together to be sure we all knew what we need to in order to pass and "survive" There were two other present instructors testing for level 3 and 4, I am sorry I did not get to talk to them much since they were practicing across the room, but I could see some of the really great looking higher level techniques they were doing.

We finished the testing and were waiting for the results, I must admit I really wasn''t so confident that I had passed, I knew there were some things that although I understood them, I still didn''t have down the way I wanted to, but I knew that whatever the outcome, it was totally worth making these great friends learning more about survival and being introduced to Commando Krav Maga. Moni and Andrew and Dennis came out and told us that we had all passed the testing. It was an amazing feeling. At the end of the testing and in fact each day of training, we all got in a circle and put our hands on each others while Moni counted to three we all let out a cheering CKM and the course was done. It was a great feeling of family and accomplishment. It was completley worth every moment!!

Thank You!

SG

"Moni, thanks for stopping by and giving the cast of Celebrity Fit Club a taste of Commando Krav Maga and Elite Combat Fitness. I had a blast watching you push and motivate this group. You really showed them how much can be accomplished in a short time if they stay focused and work hard. They are still talking about it and several want to take it up full time now. Anyone who wants to learn how to defend themselves or to get in amazing shape owes it to themselves to check out your programs. YOU GUYS ROCK! “

Harvey Walden-Celebrity Fit Club

***

NEW! Online Journal Of the Course:
Day 1 6.00am
It's still dark outside and ive been up since 5am getting myself ready for what could be the next 3 gruelling days of any martial arts training i have ever done. Im now at the course venue by 6.10am and there are a few guys already there. Everybody looks nervous and we're probably all thinking the same thoughts. What the hell are we doing here and why do we want to be here? CONTINUE READING
 

***

Moni , I thought I should express my thanks for the training you started which saved my skin, phone and wallet, and possibly more ...
About a week ago I was visiting my family in Paris. It was quite late at night, I had come in on the Eurostar and gotten off on the wrong bustop and was checking my phone for gps map directions - I was tired and and disoriented.
I was approached in a side street by two tall guys in their early twenties, who first wanted a cigarette, then my money, and showed a blade. I feigned resigned helplessness, then reacted immediately and effectively, put them down, then took off at a very fast pace ...
It all came naturally, and I didn't really think about it till afterwards. However, I believe that you, from your London course two years ago, and CKM were a primary determinant in my escaping from that situation unscathed, as was keeping fit.
Many thanks from me, my wife and family (I have several late teenage nieces who now are checking out CKM in Paris).

Best wishes
Richard

***

Moni Aizik has several qualities that makes his instruction professional. He has a great deal of experience in the areas of expertise covered in his seminars and lessons. Whether the content is ground survival, gun threats or physical conditioning; Moni’s examples and answers to the “what-ifs” are solid. The amount of time Moni has been teaching has created a personal style for teaching that is refined and available for the most experienced martial artist, agency or self-defense enthusiast. Moni has a solid character, is humble and has confidence expressed through a friendly demeanor.”
Anthony “little” Tony Pacenski Jr.
– Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
- Commando Krav Maga instructor
- National Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion
- International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion
 

***

I got back after midnight Sunday from LAX and I still can not sleep with the excitement and energy I feel from attending the Manhattan Beach Certification. Wow! What an experience the course is. First of all what an honor to learn and get trained by Moni Aizik. It is rare in todays world to get to know an individual that does not sell out on his mission. Moni has such great vision on how to teach , lay out the course, keep it real and simple, and train yourself so you can pass on the correct technique and information to your students. The course was so good and intense! I actually liked the true 10 hour days of training with just a few minutes of break time per every few hours. The conditioning drills were killer but I loved it. The surprise attacks were absolutely great and intense, but the pressure testing was the biggest eye opener for myself. The experience was worth its weight in gold. I was so exhausted but was still standing at the end of it. The inspiration that I received from my classmates helped keep me going. It made me realize how real the tension is. As a CKM Instructor it makes you aware that you need to train your students very good, for their inspiration may be their own life or a loved ones life that they may have to defend. I thank Moni for his integrity, honor, and leadership that he represents. And finally I thank my fellow classmates for their inspiration and great friendship that I felt with them over those great 4 days. It was really a lot of fun! I am looking forward to getting better and empowering new students to CKM.
David McCloskey Level 2, Houston Tx.
 

***

Hello Everyone:
I have been a certified CKM instructor for only a couple months now, but soooo much is happening, it feels like a lot longer. I have been training in other arts and systems for 24 years and have owned a successful school for 13 years, but I have never experienced the enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge that my new CKM students have. What kind of self protection system can excite and empower people in such a short period of time? I swear, I have enrolled about 15 new CKM students in about 7 weeks and these people are addicted! Of course, in a good way. Maybe its the conditioning workout that gets them feeling great every class. Or maybe its the simple, yet very effective self protection techniques that empowers them so much. No, its probably the pressure testing that I have them go through just about every class, make that every class. I can't help it, they won't leave until we do it. Personally, I think its all of the above that is creating my addicted raving students. Some of them show up a half hour early for class, like they have nothing else to do. All I can say is, Moni has created a system of conditioning and self-protection that is blowing people away! Any interested people out there, try a class and you'll see what I'm talking about. This is my first post and like my instructor certification course, I felt like a stranger going in, but part of the family by the time I'm done. I look forward to meeting a lot of the CKM family as I strive to be my best in my new journey and meet amazing people.
btw, CKM instructors out there, I was a certified instructor for about a week when I met a new private client. She turned out to be a very popular radio personality in CT and now we are helping so many more people because of CKM. We had over 200 women sign up for the workshops the first day. IT'S AWESOME! Check it out: www.craigandcofightsback.com. Let me know if I can help.
Best to all,

Rich Kohler

***

"When I founded Legion Fitness in Lexington, KY late last year, I was committed to including a reality-based fighting system to the program curriculum of the facility. The criteria for the system was that it had to complement Legion's current programs of training in elite, overall fitness and had to be the most "realistic" system I could find, meaning every technique had to pass the test of "would that really work on the street today?". Further, the system would have to cover defense against modern weapons that could be used on the street as well as hand-to-hand self-defense.

After personally training in a number of these types of systems, it became clear to me that Commando Krav Maga was far the superior system for real-world, modern street combat engagements. From my research, the techniques and the training combine to provide the most effective reality-based self-defense system currently available anywhere, and I was determined to offer it to my Legion trainees.
 

Since Legion began offering Commando Krav Maga training in January of this year, membership growth has been tremendous, with Legion now training well over 50 trainees in CKM and still growing. A large percentage of Legion members opt to train in both elite fitness AND Commando Krav Maga, which is an added financial benefit to our club. We have a core group of nearly 20 people that train twice a week consistently and have already certified a number of them as Level 1 CKM students.

At Legion, we've found that there is a large market segment of individuals that are only interested in "reality-based" self-defense systems, in contrast to traditional martial arts. People want a system that they feel they can learn quickly and will be practical self-defense for the real world. These types of systems are the wave of the future for martial training and catching the Commando Krav Maga wave has been instrumental for Legion to reach and exceed its membership goals. 2008 has been a great year and we're looking forward to an even better 2009 thanks to Commando Krav Maga."

Stephen Mansfield

Level 4 CKM Instructor

***

The Seven Minute Myth
By Mark Lyon, Level II CKM Instructor

Is seven minutes a short period of time or an arduously long time? One week ago I would have said that seven minutes is not very long at all. Think about it; the average couple takes 12 minutes to make love, you can soft boil an egg or prepare a pot of coffee in about five minutes. So, in the grand scheme of things, seven minutes seems relatively quick. Or, so I thought.
Last week I found out that, even in the same day, seven minutes was both ‘blink your eyes’ quick and as long as a complete root canal treatment. To understand what I mean, indulge me while I go back in history a few months.

First, a little about me; I’m a 51 year old financial services executive with a martial arts background. I have a black belt in karate, and experience in kung fu and kickboxing. I try to keep myself in reasonable shape, but enjoy a full life with family and work.
In the early Spring I was looking for some type of martial arts retreat I could attend to get a bit of a workout and learn some new skills. I did some research and came across the website for Commando Krav Maga (CKM). CKM is the number one reality based self defence and survival system, first developed for the Israeli Forces. The founder and chief instructor is Moni Aizik, a former Israeli soldier, officer, and Special Forces operative, and perhaps the scariest and toughest man I have ever met in my life.

Anyway, CKM offers a week long boot camp for men and women who wish to learn practical survival strategies for personal gain or to be able to instruct others. I was interested in both, so I applied. One of the prerequisites was a personal telephone interview with Moni himself, and was I was a little surprised and impressed when he called me from a training session he was conducting in London, England. He grilled me on my martial background, teaching experience, health and lifestyle and finally told me that I could register, and so I did.
About a month before the course began, I sent an e-mail to Linda, the organizational wizard behind CKM, and asked her if lunch was provided. She wrote back that students are encouraged to bring “several light snacks, lots of water, and several tee-shirts”. There was, she said, no scheduled lunch, just a seven minute break once an hour through the day. Was she kidding? As it turns out, not only was she not kidding, she was exaggerating.

On the first day I met my fellow attendees, a great group of guys with varied ages, experience, and martial backgrounds. We were introduced to the assistant instructors, Henry and Dave, who had been with CKM awhile and would help us learn the skills through the week. Then Moni arrived. You’ve got to see this guy to believe it. He stands somewhere between 5’10” and six feet tall, as ripped and lean as Sly Stallone in his early Rambo movies. But those hands, my God. His hands seemed the size of suitcases with fingers like baseball bats. When he demonstrated moves, he moved as quick and agile as a mountain lion. It was inconceivable that this guy is old enough to have fought in the Yom Kippur war back in 1973!
After a few minutes of introductions, pleasantries, and aministrivia, they set us to work. And work we did. Non-stop training in tactics, personally developed by Moni, with the goal of being able to survive attacks, whether they be from punches, chokes, kicks, knives, guns, or even if your attacker is much bigger and stronger than you are.

After a couple of hours it occurred to me that he had forgotten about giving us a break, and so many of the guys just brought their water into the training dojo. Nobody wanted to be the one to actually ask him if we could stop to get something to drink.
The first seven minute break came after about 4 ½ hours of non-stop training. Apparently, that was intended to be lunch as well and, as it turned out, the only break he gave that first day. The first day was introductory, so only about seven hours long. Moni told us we would have to come in 90 minutes earlier every day for the rest of the week to make up for this shortfall. I went home as stiff and sore as I had ever been before, but exhilarated by what I had learned.
The second day, a nine hour endurance fest, he showed extraordinary generosity and allowed us three breaks, one for seven minutes, five minutes, and two minutes, respectively. The day ended with some more pain, way more skill, and one less student, as one of our comrades decided he couldn’t finish the week.

I can’t even remember the third day, although my notes tell me that we had two seven minute breaks in that 9 ½ hour day. That was also the first day I didn’t have to soak in Epsom salts in the evening. As well, my confidence in the learning was growing. One of the Instructors told us Moni had been going lighter than usual on the actual fitness training, and to expect him to make it up the next day. He did.

At this point it probably makes sense to talk to you about the different types of training that goes on. The first is skills training. That is, learning the deflects, disarms, stances, take downs, etc., and practicing it over and over and over again with a partner, both as an attacker and then a defender. The second aspect is something called ‘surprise attacks’, where you work with two or three partners who test your skills by trying to kill you in real time. As soon as you dispatch the first aggressor, the second is on you immediately, delivering a punch, kick, knife thrust, choke, headlock, or a gun attack. Lastly, there is fitness training, which can involve pushups, burpees, squats, wind sprints, etc. by the hundreds. Breakfalls are an important aspect of CKM training, as well, because you never know when you might be knocked down; so much time is spent on falling down; on your back, your side and then adding backward somersaults to these falls.
On the fourth day, we did all of the above and then some in a gruelling nine hour day with only one 7 minute break. We also were tested on our ability to breakfall, to teach an aspect of the training, and our knowledge of the history and philosophy of CKM.

Day 5, Friday, was grading day. We trained and worked out for a couple of hours, then were invited to have a two minute drink break before we got called up to prove ourselves. The first part of the grading was demonstrating, with an uki (martial arts helper or partner), our knowledge of the tactics to employ when you are attacked. Every single one! Then came the real fun; fighting off three attackers, non-stop, in real time, for seven minutes. That’s right, seven! Each minute felt like three as we were repeatedly stabbed at, knocked down, held up by gun, punched and kicked at until, mercifully, Moni yelled ‘time’, and it was over. At 2 p.m. our class of instructor wannabes, less two guys who left and with another three who opted for ‘personal development’, and therefore didn’t grade, stood proudly and received our certificates.


So let me tell you what I learned about the concept of ‘seven minutes’:
a) Hourly seven minute breaks don’t happen every hour.
b) Seven minutes is a very short time when you’re eating, drinking, or resting.
c) Seven minutes is an eternity when you’re being continuously attacked and have to defend yourself.

Having said that, let me also tell you that Commando Krav Maga really works, and the first students I intend to take in as a Level 2 instructor will be my own family. In the meantime, it’s time to start training again; level 3 training is only a year away…..
 

Mark Lyon, Level II CKM Instructor

***

I just got home from completing the Charleston CKM instructor's course yesterday and my mind is still reeling! First of all, let me say that it is truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of the CKM family of warriors. As I take my first steps on this journey, I look forward to sharing with and learning from all of you. I hope that by posting this I can give those of you out there who are wondering if it is worth taking the course a little insight on what is truly the experience of a lifetime.

First of all a few words on the obvious question, is CKM all that it is made out to be? My answer to that is no. It is MORE. I have been involved in martial arts for over 25 years and have been an active academic researcher in the field of MA and hoplology for the past 5 years. I can truly say that I have never seen anything like Commando Krav-Maga. What makes CKM so effective and revolutionary isn't mere physical techniques. It is the concepts, theories, and philosophies of the CKM system that has made it the fastest growing reality based fighting system in the world. But what I really want to share are the benefits of the CKM intensive course that you won't see on video clips or read in press releases.

The group of people who came together early on a hot and muggy South Carolina morning to begin the course were a diverse group with a common desire, to become a CKM instructor. There was quite a range in age and experience levels. There were people in their 20's up to early 60's. There were people with a lifetime of martial arts experience and people who had no MA training whatsoever before walking through the doors of the training facility. But it didn't matter. Age didn't matter. Experience didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the desire to achieve and transcend to something better than what we were when we began. And when Moni walked through the door, introduced himself to us and began to speak......we all knew we were in for something extraordinary.

The 2 words that come to mind when I think of Moni after spending the longest 4 days of my life with him is warrior scholar. Passionate is another word that comes to mind. Moni Aizik is a man who truly loves what he does and derives great pleasure in teaching others. This man is an internationally reknowned self-dense expert with a global organization and he personally instructs every ckm certification course! When Moni is standing in front of you describing what Commando Krav Maga is, what it isn't, and why it is so important, you begin to realize that you have committed yourself to something much more than merely getting certified in a reality based fighting system (and those of you who are certified know that I don't use the word "merely" very lightly!). You are committing yourself to a life changing path with a man who burns with a passion to share this revolutionary system with the entire world.

But, as the old saying goes, you don't get something for nothing. This isn't one of those "send in your check, learn a few moves, get your diploma, now you are a grandmaster ninja killer" seminars. The course is tough, tougher than just about anything I have ever done. Limits are pushed then broken. After the first day I found myself asking the question "Do I have what it takes?". After the second day, I found myself broken down, physically and mentally. But I knew that I couldn't give up. It wasn't just for me anymore. It was for Moni, for Tony (I'll never forget you Dr. Evil) and for my new found brothers and sister who were counting on me to help them through just as I was counting on them to be there for me. Yeah, I was broken, but by picking up the pieces and walking through that training door on the third day I learned more about myself than at any other time before in my 34 years. For that Moni, I will never be able to thank you enough.

Let me mention also that I don't use the word family lightly when I mention the people who I went through the training with. It is absolutely amazing the bonds you build with those with whom you share blood, sweat, and tears. That is another tremendous benefit of this program. In an incredibly short period of time, I built relationships that I know will last a lifetime. That is something you can't read about. Personally, if I had read that in a promo I would have thought it was a bunch of bull. But it's true and if you make the decision to live the experience you will know what I mean.

Okay the last day. Test day. Nervous, excited, scared to death. Oh yeah. You are pushed, pushed, and pushed some more. But you give it all you've got because you've worked too hard to fail. And when it's all over....when you're standing in front of Moni as he hands you a certificate that you have worked so hard for and you see the pride in his eyes over the challenge you have overcome......you can't put a price on that. It is the greatest feeling in the world.

Mark Wilkes
 

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If you’re like me, you have a lazy 9-to-5 job, you work out whenever you can spare the time, you try to eat right, and you think you could “take care of yourself” if worse came to worse.
Then something happens to you, which makes you say, “Holy crap. I’ve gotta get my life in gear, not just for my health, but potentially for my life and the lives of my family members!”
If you’re lucky, the event, which spurs you toward positive change is not something tragic, but something that is closer to an epiphany.
If you’re really lucky, you meet someone like Moni, who makes you realize that you can become the strong, disciplined warrior that you always knew you could be.
After several personal training sessions with Moni, I knew that I was going to have to get into real shape if I was to be even remotely prepared for the Commando Krav Maga certification seminar, and let me tell you, it was the closest most people will ever come to basic military training. Each day of grueling “warm ups”, technical instruction, practice and surprise attacks will make you want to lie down somewhere and sleep for 24 hours... and that’s before lunch.
You will meet people from all over. Big people, small people, weightlifters, pencil pushers. Some with little experience, some who are blackbelts, some who are soldiers and police officers. But you will have this in common: you will all be humbled by how little you actually know about real-life self-defense, and how much wisdom, knowledge and experience you will acquire in the same amount of time it takes to get a shirt back from the dry-cleaners!
In few days, Moni will push you beyond your limits and instill in you a gift that will make you confident, strong and hungry for more. There is no better way to fulfill your dream of releasing the warrior within.
Jeremy Sale
Toronto
Canada

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I just finished my level 1-2 course today in Charleston, SC., and just want to say that it was the most physically challenging martial arts training I have experienced to date. Moni is truly in an upper-class by himself in more ways than one. I was overly impressed by his advanced level of fitness, obvious talent, and humble nature...a true gentleman...a true lion. Hands down I can say he is the most practical and talented instructor I have ever trained with or witnessed in all my years. I thought given my past experience that I would have a great advantage over some of the guys who were less experienced in the class, but that wasn''t necessarily the case at all. There were guys with much less training who tested much better than me today. Maybe I wanted to impress Moni so much that I psyched myself out a bit before the test, maybe it was fatigue, or that I just plain choked...I don''t know what happened...it wasn''t pretty, with me executing many moves in much less than perfect fashion, but I got through it and passed. Tomorrow I look forward to begin developing the techniques covered in the course just as soon as I can drag my tired and sore body out of bed. Don''t shy away from this program just because you may lack prior training...this system is based on simplicity. Moni has developed a system that can honestly turn sheep into tigers if desire and effort are present. I highly reccommend this course to anyone wanting to push the limits of what they can be both physically and mentally. No matter how much or how little experience you may have, completing this course will surely elevate you to a higher level. I just want to send out a huge appreciation to Moni and Tony for a truly amazing training experience.

Andrew

Savannah, GA

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Hey Guys...It sure is good reading everyones comments about the course. I am just waking up. What is it, Thursday??? My mind is still spinnning after last weekend. WOW. That was the most amazing experience of my lifetime. I saw David today and he and Richard and I are going to start our training on Saturday and on Wednesdays. I don't want to get rusty. Train/Train/Train////then Teach. Once CKM gets into your bloodstream, you can't wait to train. I actually miss the pressure tests. Sorry for all of the groin strikes guys. You were all troopers for letting this little gal spank you big, tough, macho muscle men around.
Dr. Evil, (I mean Tony), you were amazing. Thanks for always answering my many, many questions. I have been involved in traditional Martial Arts for over 22 years now and CKM has made me realize just how much I was missing. This reality based system is for everyone, especially those that think that they are protected some how by their traditional Martial Arts. My journey has just begun. This boot camp pushed me to my limits that I didn't think I could reach. Just when you think that you can't move another muscle, Moni yells (go,go,go, lets go), and you find a way to go....You don't want to let him down. Anyone that just looks at the man knows that he could go,go,go and then some, and that makes you feel like, well, I'd better go.
I am so ecstatic to be a part of the fastest growing reality based self defense system in the world. I feel that our class really bonded and the bond formed by sweat and pain is definitely life long. Let's keep in touch and find ways to train together.

Angel Wilcome
Level 2 CKM certified Instructor

 

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I have been a Martial Artist for over 30 years. I have traveled abroad, trained and attended some of the best seminars in the world with TOP RANKED INSTRUCTORS. I have yet to see such fine tuned teaching and effectiveness as I have seen over my 4 days of training with Moni Aizik.

I have taught Wing Tzun, MMA Fighters, Combatives as well as having trained in them. NEVER have I ached or been bruised, pushed and motivated like this since I was in United States Marine Corps Boot Camp.

Those 4 days felt like an eternity, but I would recommend it to anyone looking for a real challenge instead of some “BUY MY DVDs” Instructor out there with material that you can NOT apply to your combat arsenal.

I had the privilege of with working with a fine bunch of Men and Level 4 Instructor Elizabeth Greenman. We felt like a UNIT, a well oiled machine that had one objective in mind, and that was to succeed.

I also had the pleasure of watching the Level 3 Training going on and you can see why these drills, moves and training are constant and so important. I have never seen anyone with the same WORK ETHIC and PRESENTATION OF INSTRUCTION LIKE MONI AIZIK.

He is a MAN’S MAN, an approachable person who does not carry his success into the classroom. He has a great sense of humor and takes care of business when it is time too. I highly recommend the CKM Instructor Course to ANYONE looking to become an instructor in martial arts and want to earn that diploma, not just pay for it, and be rewarded beyond what you can imagine...
I am very much looking forward to LEVEL 3 and can’t wait to see what in GOD’S NAME LEVEL 8 can be like :)
A real system for warriors and I consider myself a warrior hands down, but after this, I am one sore warrior...

Thank you to all for attending! I look forward to your future success and seeing you at my EVOLVING facility :)
My house is open to all of you so feel free to train or run a private lesson at my PLACE anytime!
I am proud to be a member of CKM....and ask MONI YOURSELF, I have been around!!!
You may contact me at: CKMLI@USA.COM


Tommy DiLallo
CKM Level 2 Instructor

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It was truly a fantastic, great, spiritual awakening for me meeting Mr Moni Aizik and the experience in commando krav maga i will never forget this experience as long as I live. I learned the physical, mental, and psychology of training. I have learned so much from those four days with Mr Aizik .I have bonded with the many faces of hurt ,pains and determination but hanged in there and fight to the end. The highlight for me is when we were going over the pressure test, he would focus be strong and be dynamic. He is a great person, a humble person and he loves what he does. He wants you to be the best. Again, it was truly a blessing for me to meet him and to creat a bond with others I met in Charleston. I will continue to train hard and be ready for level 3 next year.

Thanks,
Joe palmer/ckm
 

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Here I am, after a weekend of necessary rest, with all my impressions, my feelings, my thoughts and several images now deep in my soul and in my mind.
Where can I start...maybe from the end, from my bruises and my pain...guys, never felt like this before but what amazing sensation...being part of an "elite" of men that yet today think that bruises and scars are a mark of honour and not something to hide;then my diploma, my instructor's diploma, incredibly the first of my career but what a pride...I'll never forget the sensation of proud accomplishment in the moment Moni shook my hand and gave me the diploma....I already told him "I'm proud!!!"
Then the days of training...never experienced before a similar impact on my body and on my mind, every second a challenge, every second something to improve and every second the will to succeed, the will to strive for excellence and the will to exceed myself, just for trying to be part of this legacy of men.
The CKM is really impressive, it works, it's effective and real...and now I can't help thinking about the day I will start my own CKM class, with the pleasant sensation of teachin' something can really help people.
Last but not least a big thank and a hug to Moni, hoping to give a little help in the CKM's success worlwide, and then to our Italian director, Mr Emilio Calogero...sometimes our dreams pass through some other man's dreams.
Spartan
Italy

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Wow…where to begin. Impossible to adequately summarize a in a few words the impact of going through level 3 training. For me it was an experience that lifted me up a level in maturity in the way I view CKM. In my level 1 and 2 training I learned a series of separate movements and responses to a variety of physical threats, and I was overwhelmingly impressed at the simplicity and effectiveness of these techniques. But I viewed the techniques and trained with them as separate entities – individual responses to individual threats. Now, after my level 3 training, I am finally appreciating that CKM is so much more than a series of separate responses to a threat. To illustrate my meaning - just as a well-written sentence can be beautiful in and of itself, it is only when sentences are woven together that a wonderful story is told whose meaning transcends its individual grammatical elements. And now I’ve learned that CKM is similar – like the sentences in a classic book, the individual CKM defenses are beautiful, exhilarating, and just plain fun in and of themselves. But my level 3 experience with Moni has opened an appreciation that when these CKM responses are integrated and woven together, CKM becomes a concept and philosophy which transcends the individual responses and changes who you are as a person. Regarding the performance of the techniques – your responses to a threat are smoother, more agile, you’re able to adapt more quickly and naturally to variations in a threat presentation rather than being confused by it. And you truly desire peace while simultaneously being prepared for war. In addition, I am even more impressed that continuous focus and training are essential in order to advance in CKM. At some point we must integrate it into our personality, “become CKM”, and make our desire for peace and response to threats part of our very nature.

To my fellow level 3 warriors – Tony, Frank, and that pit bull Elizabeth – you are incredible human beings, and I loved training with you again. Your understanding and support and dedication and refusal to give up were my inspiration. I love you folks and can’t wait to see you at level 4!

To Moni – thank you for becoming such an important part of my life, my friend. You are more than words can express.
_________________
Doctor(MD)Steve Fuller
CKM Level 3 Instructor
 

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I am thrilled and very proud to be able to say, I earned the honored privilege to teach Commando Krav Maga, the most devastating Israeli fighting system.
I have always considered myself an 'old classical and traditional martial artist'. I began my training as a young soldier, based on the island of Okinawa with the 1st Special Forces Group. I began in 1971 studying Isshinryu under Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. I continued my training in Puyallup, WA with Master George Shin from 1980-1995.

I loved karate and believed it was 'the way' to defend ourselves. Recently, my belief has changed. Several months ago, a woman walked into Mt. Baker CrossFit. She told me she was training at a local karate school and was looking for something different. I asked her why she began her karate training.
She said, "To lose weight and learn to defend myself." I asked, "After practicing karate for a year, have you lost weight and are you able to defend yourself?"

She laughed as she replied, "I haven't lost any weight nor am I able to defend myself."

I still think any structured martial art is beneficial, however, not practical for self-defense on our streets. It takes years of martial arts training to be able to defend ourselves and most students NEVER achieve the capability to defend themselves from a street attack.

Enter Commando Krav Maga. We learned of the art from the CrossFit message board. I was aware of the Israeli Fighting Systems from my military days. Whenever we spoke of the warriors of the world, the Israeli's have always been considered the most ruthless hand to hand combatants in the world. Moni Aizik, the founder of Commando Krav Maga is one of the most, if not the most experienced warrior in the world. Moni still trains the Israeli commando's and special forces operatives.

Skip Chase
CKM level 2 instructor
Guinness World Records Member #12831
World Class Fitness, Inc.
Mt. Baker CrossFit

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I just arrived back home from one of the greatest and most fulfilling experiences of my life, CKM level 1-2 Instructor's training. The past four days have been quite an adventure. We had such a diverse bunch of people, all with different backgrounds and experiences; the entire group was fantastic! We all started off as strangers with one common goal in mind, to become CKM instructors. In the end, these strangers became champions for each other, selflessly cheering each other on through each grueling drill and pressure test after pressure test. It was one of the most amazing things to see unfold as each day progressively got tougher, and more rewarding,

at the same time. I would say to anyone who is considering the path of CKM instructor to...DO

IT, (nod to Johnny "Guerrilla")!!! I know it is said in many posts but I have to say it again, after experiencing this first hand, Moni truly has an amazing ability to make you reach your maximum potential; you find yourself pushing to levels you never thought you were capable of...it really is awesome!

I would like to thank all of the people in this class that made this one of the most memorable times of my life...THANK YOU, (especially to Dennis, who was one of the most inspirational people I have ever met).

Dennis, I hope you tell your story on this forum...you will touch people's lives, as you have touched mine.

I am especially thankful to Moni for allowing us to peer into and experience the evolution and dynamics of this great thing called Commando Krav Maga!

Chris Bush
CKM Level 2 Instructor
Peaceful Warrior Systems
 

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The course was awesome as always!

I had a great time with everyone at this course and was happy to enjoy all the training!

Good job to everyone!

Level 3 CKM Instructor, Victoria, BC, Canada
Arran McLellan
 

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This system and this course was the best I'v ever been through hands down. After the first day I drove 1 1/2 hours back home and jumped on the computer to find the next date for level 3. The First two days I thought were the hardest and that is only because by the third day you feel like your carved out of stone. The time goes by fast because your constantly working. Like Chris said I to have never in my life worked with a more inspiratioanl group of people. This is truely a life style and I'm glad to be apart of it.

Stay safe

MikeW-CT
Level 2 Instructor
 

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Dear Moni,
Just a quick thanks for last week’s CKM Instructor Course.
The Instructor course was very intense and extremely demanding.
As someone who has been training traditional krav maga for years and served as a soldier in the Israeli army, I strongly recommend the Commando Krav Maga course to anyone!
My reasons for recommending the course are that:
1. CKM is the most effective reality based fighting there is. Moni will push you beyond your limits. He will make you strong and feel confident in yourself to the point that you wish the course would never end.
2. CKM is very realistic and the reality based fighting techniques are simple to learn.
Moni, it was a real honor and privilege to meet you and train under your superior instruction.
You are the best there is.
I will continue to train hard in order to maintain my training standards. I look forward to getting my level 3.
All the best to the entire CKM family!
 

Rafi Peretz
“The Jewish Hammer”
 

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I just completed the CKM instructors' course in Manhattan Beach, CA. I was the only woman and cannot emphasize enough how efficient, practical, and simple this system is. Moni kept pointing out that if a woman cannot make the techniques work, then they have no merit. I am a 47 year old average sized woman and was able to perform these techniques successfully on men who weigh 240 pounds and were attacking me at full speed and force (multiple attackers simultaneously). It was an incredibly empowering experience and the intensity of the training advances both your mental and physical self defense skills immediately.
I work in security (anti-terrorism and security for women) and want to encourage both men and women reading this to consider studying this reality based training. We live in an increasingly dangerous world and this system is by far the best one I have seen for personal protection and for protecting your family. Guys--think about it; the women you care about are not likely to get attacked when you are with them. And Ladies--no knight in shinning armor is likely going to be there to defend you. We all must evolve and adapt to changing threats. So here is an idea--make it your New Year's resolution to go find a commando krav maga class in your area. Go together with your friend, spouse, co-worker. You will get in amazing shape very quickly and the training is a blast! It will improve so many aspects of your life.
Thanks to all my fellow trainees--you really helped me advance by bringing on serious attacks and pushing me hard. And, of course, thanks to Moni for making it all possible and sharing this wealth of information!!

LauraC
Level 2 CKM Instructor
 

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Hello Moni,

I really just wanted to say thank you one more time for the great and phenomenal course you offered us this past weekend. As I reflect back on the last 4 days, I still don't know how I managed to do it. I've never been so sore physically, nor I've never been so drained mentally in my life than the past four days. But it was all worth it. I learned so much, and it really boost my self-confidence. Not only were you a brilliant instructor, but you have a great talent in bringing out the best in people. You brought out something in me that I never knew existed. It was really a humbling experience, and it's an experience that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to be in you CKM Instructor Course and I hope to see you again next year for Level 3.

Take care and enjoy the holidays.
Andy
 

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Recently, I had the honor and pleasure to be a part of the instructor Level One/Two seminar in NYC. Commando Krav-Maga (CKM), without a doubt, is a great system for someone who has no martial arts background to learn, if he or she wants to acquire very effective self-denfendsive skill. However, as someone who has been doing traditional martial arts for years, I would strongly recommend CKM to my fellow martial artists. My reasons are:
CKM covers all range of possible fighting scenarios and weapons. CKM teaches students to defend against chokes, punches, kicks, ground survival, knife and gun disarm. I am sure most traditional martial artists would learn something from CKM which aren't covered in their particular art.
CKM is a "reality-based" system. In its training it pushes both physical and mental limits. During the seminar, we were put through many "surprise attacks" with multiple attackers.
-Moni is a great instructor. Besides the knowledge of the system, he is a very good communicator who is also very approachable and friendly. He gave the class many good suggestions on how to run a class. For those of you who are instructors, I am certain your could learn from Moni how to be a better martial arts instructor.
In summary, even you have been studying martial arts for many years, you'll get a lot out from participating in CKM seminars. Besides learning a great system, you will gain a brand new perspective on your own art and your training.
Alan

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