Charles Closshey

Master Instructor Charles Closshey heads the White Tiger Kenpo Karate self-defense system. The system represents a unique, fully functional blending of traditional martial art principals with the most up to date knowledge of physics, physiology and anatomy. Every movement, technique, tactic and strategy is evaluated in light of self-defense practicality. Closshey enlisted with the U.S. Army Security Agency shortly in 1965. He was selected for Officer Candidate School and graduated in early 1967. His first assignment was as Cryptographic and Communications Security Officer for HQUSEUCOM, the joint headquarters for all U.S. forces in Europe. Upon being promoted to First Lieutenant, he was posted as Officer in Charge of Physical, Cryptographic and Communications Security for the field headquarters location of HQUSEUCOM. It was during this time that he began his official martial arts training under a Korean Master. In 1969, Closshey left active duty to resume his formal education, attending Polk Community College, Florida Southern College, and the University of South Florida, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Closshey also attended Stetson University College of Law. While attending to his academic goals and working part time he also continued his martial arts training. In 1974, he received his first Kenpo Black Belt from Joe Lewis Karate Studio in St. Petersburg, FL. In 1982, Kenpo Grand Master Edmund K. Parker accepted him as a personal student, lasting until Parker's death in 1990. After Mr. Parker's passing, Closshey continued his Kenpo training with the open, inquisitive, innovative and above all practical approach that Grand Master Parker had always advocated. In addition to the Black Belt level certification from his original Korean Master, Closshey holds advanced Black Belt rank in three different Kenpo systems and in Shotokan Karate. He has cross trained extensively in ju-jitsu, aikijujitsu and kenjutsu. Closshey is a graduate of the NRA Law Enforcement Officer Firearms Instructor Certification Course and a Florida Licensed Firearms Instructor. He is a licensed Professional Bodyguard who has protected high profile civilian and government clients on three continents. Closshey balances the time demands of his professional and business interests with his own personal training, providing dynamic, highly focused "Self-Defense" seminars for law enforcement agencies, universities, corporations and highly motivated individuals or small groups.