Please Click Here for Member Privacy Information
The MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) factor for the troops and their families was substantial. From the standpoint of martial arts propagation, many bases over the decades had within their individual MWR programs at the Recreation Centers, base gymnasiums and Youth Centers.
The ABSK was founded in late 1985 as an “association” of like-minded military martial artists for the purpose of sharing, learning and supporting each other and their future efforts while serving in the military worldwide.
Learn More About the ABSK
Judo and Tae Kwon Do were DoD sponsored martial arts sports programs for active duty as a result of being recognized sports in the Olympics. Karate was just off the horizon for becoming another Olympic martial art.
For more than a decade and a half, the ABSK restricted membership to military service members and their dependents. As time went on, many members and dependents would follow different career paths…
As time has marched on, it became apparent that the associations’ mission to support martial artists of substance needed to expand continuing to embrace those of like mind. Being an association of military background, it was important to stand fast to the standard of military membership primarily.
After Desert Storm, there was a flood of veterans, all welcomed within the ranks of the ABSK, many moved on to other professions such as Law Enforcement and Fire Fighting, while others went into less stressful professions.
Everyone’s network grew naturally and the attraction to their strength of character, patriotism and martial skills exhibited in everyday life brought many more desiring to share in a special brother and sisterhood that only America’s warriors knew.
Naturally, for those not having any direct connection with the military way of life, it is impossible to know the true rigors of being a warrior or part of a warriors personal support system. Truly, only those who have written that blank check of self-sacrifice and service know the price paid to be
The ABSK executive and senior leadership felt it appropriate to expand membership through personal sponsorship of non-military martial artists creating an “affiliated division” to the round table of associates.
The qualification requirements for membership remain the same and are explained in general here. Military memberships are verified by presentation of active duty ID and DD Form 214 for Veterans.
Military dependents and first line dependents of Veterans remains the same. There are certain
The executive leadership’s insight and wisdom have brought the association to the point that there are two general divisions of membership.
Within these two divisions are four overlapping categories identifying the broad spectrum of professional warrior mind-sets. They are as follows:
The Society of American Samurai is composed of military members exclusively, be they active duty or reserve component of America.
The Executive Board has determined that there may be additional categories to be explored in the future as needs arise. It is appropriate to mention that the ABSK Hall of Fame consists of all Sempai to the leadership as a whole, without whose motivation, mentorship, and teachings, the martial arts lineages of the ABSK would not exist to this day and beyond.
