Thomas L. Felder
8th Degree Red Belt
Thomas L. Felder “The Peacemaker” is a native of Queens, New York. He holds the level of 8th Degree Red Belt in the discipline of Chinese Goju, founded by the legendary Grandmaster Ron Van Clief. Over twenty three years he's been a valuable asset to the military as a Close Engagement Tactics Instructor, which he made a vital impact on the lives of soldiers on and off the battlefield. A stickler to his motto, “Make a Difference One Day at a Time”, is the drive to his continuous efforts in providing martial arts education. Felder was honored for his decades of dedication and commitment during a World Hall of Fame induction ceremony held on September 1, 2001 by the World Head of Sokeship Council. The prestigious panel of Grandmaster’s inducted Felder as "Master Instructor of the Year". In addition, Felder was appointed as the Chinese Goju Regional Director for Germany, by Grandmaster Ron Van Clief. Insistent in sharing his skills, Felder solely educated and trained over 600 soldiers in battle and hundreds of students in civilian establishments. He’s opened schools in three locations in Germany, Korea, Panama, Turkey, Kosovo, Iraq and the United States. Moreover, he’s the Time Warner Cable show host of, “Self Defense for All Ages”,and a multiple winner of point fighting championships in Europe and the United States. Felder successfully coordinated and directed six open martial art tournaments in Europe and the United States.
Achievements include:
• Promoted to Hachidan on May 20, 2006 with the appointed title of "Soke" by Shidoshi Ron Van Clief.
• Army retired combat veteran with over 23 years of service and 20 awards of distinguished service.
• Certified Trainer of Close Engagement Tactics and trained over 600 soldiers during Operation Desert Storm, Provide Comfort (South West Asia), Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti), Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo) and Iraqi Freedom (Iraq).
• Established the first Combat Martial Arts Academy in Turkey, Kosovo and Iraq.
• Host of Time Warner cable television show “Self Defense for All Ages”, in Fayetteville, NC.
• Director of three German/American open Martial Arts Tournaments in Germany and three Open Tournaments in the United States.
• Inducted in 2001 World Hall of Fame.
• Appeared in the comedy film, “Gun Lordz”.
• Recipient of Black Belts in Honor Award in 1985.
• Appeared on AFKN (Armed Forces Korea Network), AFN (Armed Forces Network in Germany) and Armed Forces Radio Nework, Germany, to include several full page articles in local newspapers.
• Tae Kwon Do promotion to 2nd degree Black Belt, by Master Michael Dials in 1987.
Personal thanks and recognition to God for giving me the strength and courage to be a light in this world. Furthermore, I thank my wife and family for their love and support, to include my past and present instructors for sharing their knowledge and skills, which helped me to be who I am today. Chinese Goju forever! Chien, Soke