RAY PEREZ
Status:
Community Senior Advisor and
Certified Assistant Instructor
Training Circle:
Haribon Tribe
Location:
Upper Marlboro, MD
Focus Areas:
• High-Intensity Officer Survival Training
• High-Risk Self-Defense Considerations
• Martial Arts for Vitality and Fitness
Training Journey:
• Ray served as a 33‑year veteran of the Guam Police Department (GPD), where encounters with resisting and violent subjects revealed the need for deeper training to face extremely dangerous criminals. He began with Aikido to close gaps in his abilities, then expanded into multiple systems to strengthen his skills and better protect the public.
• After retiring from GPD, he discovered a passion for continuing martial arts practice as a way to maintain fitness and personal growth. His journey reflects gratitude to his teachers and dedication to lifelong learning:
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1994 – Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido (Ki Aikido), Sensei Frank Stein
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1996 – Police Defensive Tactics, Modern Warrior, NYPD Ret. Sgt Phil Messina
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2013 – Traditional Wing Chun/Pekiti Tirsia Kali/Inosanto Lacoste Kali‑Escrima‑JKD, Sifu Tuhon Mark Pachkoski
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2019 – Korean New World Federation Hapkido, Master Seung Hum Yun
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2019 – Pekiti Tirsia Kali – Kaluyugan de Palares (PTK‑KDP), Tuhons Arlene and Malcolm Stevens
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2022 – Guam Aikikai Aikido, Sensei Mutsuko Minegishi
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2023 – Guam Taekwondo Federation, Master Mike Ho
Teaching Philosophy:
• Ray emphasizes the value of traditional training as a foundation, provided it remains relevant to one’s objectives. He believes that while mastery is important for passing on knowledge, experience itself fosters wisdom, and there is always opportunity to learn from others including students. Teaching is therefore a reciprocal process, where maintaining a learning attitude enhances skills and understanding. Adaptability is central to his philosophy. As imparted by Phil Messina, who once held an NYPD record violent‑arrest apprehensions, adaptability remains the most important skill in combat survival.
Community Contribution:
• Ray’s most important contribution has been teaching protectors to defend themselves and their communities. His time as a trainer for the Guam Police Department (GPD) allowed him to pass on vital techniques, tactics, and procedures that helped officers survive and prevail in dangerous encounters. His continued involvement in martial arts reflects his commitment to service, growth, and the transmission of knowledge to future generations.
IN-PERSON CLASS SCHEDULE
SATURDAY 9:30-11:00 am ET
This class is currently full. Enrollment is closed at this time.
Please check back for future openings or explore other active training circles.
WHY JOIN A TRAINING CIRCLE?
When you join a training circle, you’re not just signing up for classes.. you’re becoming part of a living ecosystem of training and mentorship. Each study group is led by its instructor, but all are connected through the guidance and collaboration of a master instructor. That means you gain the benefits of personal attention within your group, while also belonging to a larger extended family of practitioners.
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AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP
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Train with instructors and candidates who are actively refining their craft, guided every step by a master instructor.
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COMMUNITY-DRIVEN GROWTH
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Progress in a supportive environment where learning is shared, not imposed, but direction remains clear.
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DIVERSE INFLUENCES
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Benefit from our method plus insights drawn from the broader martial arts pool, enriching your practice.
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STRUCTURED MENTORSHIP
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Your instructor has direct access to guidance and feedback, ensuring classes stay sharp, energized, and true to the art.
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