Introducing KJN Gary M. Pointer

Introducing KJN Gary M. Pointer

Gary M. Pointer was born on March 27, 1958, in Saint Louis, Missouri. Reared and educated in the Saint Louis public school system. While a juvenile in 1966, he was introduced to martial arts through the television series “The Green Hornet” starring Bruce Lee and informal information/training through the Bruce Tegner martial arts book series. During this period at the age of 10 years old, he was introduced to informal military defensive tactics instruction from World War II veteran William Troupe

. This further piqued his interest and curiosity in the martial arts and enrolled to begin formalized training in ChungDoKwan TaeKwonDo with Sabumnim Kyung Woo Yu under the auspices of the World TaeKwonDo Association (WTA) headed by Kwanjangnim Duk Sung Son. Gary also began training within the Shorinryu/Shotokan systems with Sensei Jerry Williams and later in MooDukKwan TangSooDo with Sabumnim T.K. Shim; continuing further MooDukKwan studies under Sabumnim Earl Alston who was affiliated with Sensei Russell J. Perron of the International Fighting Arts Association (IFAA) out of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Pointer was fortunate to have met Viet Nam War era veteran Melvyn P. Brown Sensei and began his studies in Yoshinryu Combat JiuJitsu. He graduated from University City Senior High School in 1976 and continued to the University of Missouri – Columbia, in order to continue advanced training in Jujitsu with Brown Sensei. While learning, he began assisting as instructor in the martial arts disciplines in Saint Louis and Columbia, Missouri regional areas.

In 1982 he enlisted in the United States Army and began traveling extensively. First duty station at Fort Benning, Georgia, home of the infantry in 1983. Next permanent change of station is where he met and received additional instruction and training from 1984 through 1986 in ChangMooKwan TaeKwonDo and KukSoolWon under Sabumnim Sergeant Major Robert Owens in Arlington, Virginia, military district of Washington. While on active duty and serving in a temporary duty status, he participated in joint Department of Defense/Department of the Army training/instruction program to the Orient (Japan/Okinawa/Korea) within several disciplines including HapKiDo, TaeKwonDo, JuJitsu, Karate, etc. This process included instruction from 1987 to 1989 in West Germany for military and civilians, including German-nationals. While stationed in West Germany, Gary had an opportunity to meet author and Hapkido Master, Robert K. Spear. Permanent change of station in 1990 had Sergeant Pointer rotate back to the continental United States to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he reunited with Mr. Spear and was introduced to Professor Kenneth Baker affiliated with the Midori Yama Budokai (MYB). Trained with Professor Baker in the disciplines of Shin Shin JuJutsu (MYB JuJutsu), Shin Nagare Karate (MYB Karate), Shinko Kaiten Aikido (MYB Aikido), Taiko Ryu Aikijujitsu, Okinawan Kobudo and Taekwondo under the auspices of Shihan/Kancho Leo D. Wilson, PhD., direct descendant of Grandmaster Fan Gin-Han of the Shaolin lineage, founder, and president of the Midori Yama Budokai (MYB). Established martial arts program on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas offering instruction to military and military-dependent civilian personnel.

Upon release from active military duty, Mr. Pointer moved to Florida in 1992. Gary continued on-going training in the traditional Korean military arts in 1993 with Grand Master Richard Hackworth who is the official representative for traditional Korean military arts of the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association (KMAIA). Also at this time, he was introduced to Gregory N. Lee, KMAIA International Chapter Vice President. Continued advanced master-level training over the years in traditional Korean military arts of ChungDoKwan TaeKwonDo with Grandmaster Jong Song Kim and HapKiDo with Grandmaster Yong Ki Song of the Republic of Korea.

In 1997, received training in Kenpo influenced martial arts from Sensei Carl Bradfield, president of the American Self Defense Association (ASDA). He was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame as martial artist of the year; September, nominated and inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council’s International Hall-of-Fame.

From 1998 through 1999 participated in training conducted by World Hapkido Union masters Yon Sung Ho and Yoon Dae Ung. He also trained with members of the Blue House presidential bodyguard team in Orlando, Florida. Pointer served as the Co-head coach of United States Hapkido Team from 1998 through 2004. He was inducted into the Florida Hall-of-Fame Martial Arts Brotherhood (December 1998). Appointed as Florida and Caribbean KMAIA representative. Executive protection security manager for the World Wrestling Association (WWA). April 1999, charter life member of Martial Arts USA, Florida Hall of Fame Martial Arts Brotherhood Cosmopolitan master instructor to the year award recipient; reappointed Northeastern United States regional representative for the KMAIA (October).

Received grandmaster appointment license and ranking in military art of SimMuDo from KMAIA International Executive Director Grandmaster Pon Gon Song from Shihung City, Republic of Korea in 2000 upon completed training. August, nominated and inducted into the United States Martial Arts Association Hall-of-Fame as instructor of the year. Special coordination and cooperation with Dr. Joe Jones of Jo-Ryu Jiujitsu system out of Hartford, CT.

April 2001, nominated and inducted into the World Christian Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame in Newark, NJ. Appointed National Director of the National Hapkido Association, later re-named the USA Hapkido Union, the official national organization to what would later become the World Hapkido Union.

In 2002, nominated and appointed as regional representative for the Midori Yama Budokai (MYB). Also, received letter/certificate of appointment license to grandmaster from the Korea Hapkido Federation signed by KHF president Grandmaster Oh Se Lim.

During 2003, he attended and graduated from the international yudo instructor’s course sponsored by the United States Yudo Association and sanctioned by the International Yudo Federation. Also, later in the same year, participated in the first and only KHF World Masters Conference with KHF president Oh Se Lim, KHF national director Song Book Bae, KHF international technical director Choi Suk Hwan, chairman of the committee for law enforcement training Chae In Kil and Kim Hyung Sung, chairman of the KHF promotion committee.
In 2004, received formalized training in Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu with Sanuces Ryu founder, martial arts icon and living legend, Dr. Moses Powell. Nominated and inducted into the Gold Coast Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame.

Gary was appointed to the executive board of the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association (KMAIA) in 2005.

During 2006, Mr. Pointer invited as a member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, an international grandmasters organization; in November attended the Martial Arts Worlds Martial Arts Leaders’ Summit and inducted into their hall of fame for outstanding instructional leadership in Orlando, FL.

Presented the Grandmaster Instructor of the Year Award in 2007 from the World Head of Family Sokeship Council in Orlando, FL.

On May 24, 2008, presented World Head of Family Sokeship Councils Historical Grandmaster Member Award in San Antonio, TX.

In 2009 Gary was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He also conducted a belt self-defense seminar at the Midori Yama Budokai’s annual spring clinic in Leavenworth, KS.

During 2010 conducted seminar training sessions in Ki (Chi) enhanced applications of Korean martial arts in Columbus, OH and inducted as Grandmaster of the Year in the International Bantu Head of Family Martial Arts Association Hall of Honors.

In 2011 he received the grandmaster mentor award from International Bantu Head of Family Sokeship Warriors Council in Columbus, OH. Also Mr. Pointer conducted a Korean martial arts applications seminar at the annual World Head of Family Sokeship council’s gathering in Orlando, FL.

During 2012 Gary conducted seminar training of Korean martial arts concepts and applications in Bayamon, PR. He received a Life Dedication award in the art of Hapkido from Magic Karate commemoration event in San Juan, PR.

In 2013 in Orlando, FL received World Head of Family Sokeship Council’s Grandmasters Shogun Award

Received the Golden Lifetime Achievements in 2014 from the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors event in Atlantic City, NJ and from the Kuro Bushi Martial Arts Hall of Honors in Concord, NC

Reunited with some original jiujitsu students (Dr. Fred Weaver, Kenneth Greene and John C. Gray) of Melvyn Brown Sensei in 2015 at the World Head of Family Sokeship Council’s Annual Achievement Awards event in Omaha, NE with being awarded for their continued contributions to the martial arts community. Also, inaugural award for law enforcement/public servant award to Lieutenant Steven Jones of the North Cooperative police department (St. Louis County, MO). Gary presented with the Distinguished Grandmaster Member of the council award.

Beginning January 2016 received Ambassador to the Martial Arts award from Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall-of-Honor event in Atlantic City, NJ. Special program teaching anti-abduction, anti-sexual assault tactics and techniques for women’s groups.

During the year of 2017 Mr. Pointer traveled to Philadelphia, PA and gave impromptu self-defense seminar demonstration with Koga Kempo family participants. Also, he traveled to Mexico City, Mexico in February to conduct private seminars revealing Korean martial arts concepts and applications. Also, he attend international competition sponsored by Matsumura Karate Mexico. March Mr. Pointer’s return to witness Puerto Rico’s international competition series on the island. In June, he participated in conducting a seminar training session illustrating Korean martial arts applications in London, UK England and was inducted into the London International Martial Arts Hall-of-Fame as a Grandmaster Instructor. He also attended the World Head of Family Sokeship Council’s Silver Anniversary event in Orlando, FL. and received induction as

Grand Master Pointer currently serves as a member of the Board of Advisors for the USA Hapkido Union, the official Governing Body for Hapkido in the USA under the authority of the World Hapkido Council. Visit our website at https://usahapkidounion.org and subscribe to our channel at https://youtu.be/gMVWEM07YTY