Cold Steel, Arwrology, and All-In Fighting were the first World War 2 era hand-to-hand combat manuals I purchased. Of course they were purchased from the once mighty Paladin Press. They were purchased on little than a whim as I was looking for something “new”. I had run martial arts gamut essentially up until that point and knew that my experience would be beneficial regardless of what my “Defendu” instructor would go on to stay.

Let me say this.

Nobody owns this shit. Nobody. I don’t care who you are.

There are very few people actively teaching today who can legitimately give you their “lineage” to a verifiable close combat instructor from that time. Before I continue allow me to say, I do not care about lineage outside of people being who they say they are.

Authenticity.

I have never really cared to address my lineage publicly because my “lineage” won’t be fighting my fights but I will address it now…

Me – Matt Temkin – Ben Temkin – Stanley Bissell Cadre

Me – Matt Temkin – Lt. Col. Rex Applegate (retired)

To say that Matt is humble is an understatement. Matt loves to talk, believe me but he does not talk about Matt. Unlike many other instructors his interest is in teaching people how to protect themselves.

Not to make money.

Not to stroke his ego.

Unlike many who use the names of these instructors to boost themselves up, Matt has actually been hands-on with men like Rex Applegate. Not only were they friends for many years, but they actually spent time together at Rex’s ranch. They didn’t just sit together for a few moments at a convention or maybe have a phone call or two.

“World War 2 combatives” instructors have become a dime a dozen with absolutely no quality control. You have folks attending a weekend seminar and then taking on students the following week. We have gone from having a disgustingly gate kept “system” for lack of a better word to having an excess of unprepared, under trained individuals trying to play “Fairburn”.

There is no shame in training and learning from a book or video. There is absolutely no shame in attending seminars and adding pieces to your curriculum provided attribution is given. The issue is when people intentionally mislead or outright lie, even by omission. You will see people use Lt. Col. William E. Fairbairn’s name and likeness to get attention. Some may even go as far as to utilize that name recognition for their own profit. I could claim “lineage” to Fairbairn through the Applegate connection, but honestly, it feels disingenuous.

Maybe I’ve grown, maybe I’m bitter having grown jaded by the behavior I’ve seen over the years.

Knowing what I know.

Having seen what I’ve seen.

I know I may not be the most liked individual in the community, and that is absolutely fine with me. I have the respect of men I once admired, and I now call them my brothers.

I know my intentions are pure, and I have never misled anyone intentionally or otherwise.

I know that I am authentic in how I present myself. I don’t play a role or pretend be who you want me to be.

If anyone wants some legitimate training. Let me know.