INSTRUCTOR PROFILE AND BACKGROUND
Benjamin Salas began formal martial arts study in 1982 while living in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. An internationally recognized instructor, Benjamin has presented courses in modern combatives and classical martial arts on four continents. He holds instructor level grades in White Crane Kung-fu (Black Sash), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (2nd Degree Black Belt), Mande Muda Pencak S
ilat (Instructor), International Style/Muay Thai Kickboxing (Instructor), Tigerclaw Chinese Kenpo (6th Degree Black Belt), and the Filipino Martial Arts (Guro). A former police officer and law enforcement training specialist, Benjamin is certified to teach many Defensive Tactics and Firearms related skill sets. In addition to his domestic law enforcement experience, Benjamin has provided services internationally, both in the classroom and in the field to numerous municipal, state, and federal agencies including units from Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Pakistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and the United States. These services have included the facilitation of forward based sustainment training and field mentoring of specialized units during real world counter drug operations. A sport martial arts enthusiast, Benjamin is a 18x International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Medalist, a 2X member of the U.S. National WEKAF Stick fighting Team, and a 14X North American Sport Karate National finalist. Over the past 30+ years he has competed in Submission Wrestling, Sport Karate, Hard Contact Kung-fu, Jiu-Jitsu, Vale Tudo, and Full Contact Stick Fighting. BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU / GRACIE JIU-JITSU
Prof. Benjamin Salas was awarded his Black Belt after 18 years of study by Master Carlson Gracie Jr. Benjamin's rank is recognized by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and the Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation (JJGF). Over the years he has trained from many other outstanding jiu-jitsu instructors including: Olavo Abreu, Geo "Freakahzoid" Martinez, Marcelo "Lapela" Mafra, Lucas Leite, Francisco “Ratinho” Maya, Alvaro Romano, JD Bigham, Alex “Mangueboy” Ferreira, Marcelo Allonso, Rodrigo Medeiros, Roger "Xuxa", Carlson Gracie Jr., Ricardo Murgel, Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti, Pedro Sauer, John Lewis, Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, Thiago Veiga, Rodrigo Vaghi, Mario Roberto, Ricardo “Rey” Diogo, Carlson Gracie Sr., John Donahue, Pedro Carvalho, Marcelo Pereira. Promotion Dates/Ranks
2nd Degree Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. - 2019
1st Degree Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. - 2016
Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. - 2013
Brown Belt - Carlson Gracie Jr. - 2010
Purple Belt - Carlson Gracie Jr. - 2003
Blue Belt - Pedro Carvalho - 1997
CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS
Benjamin began training in the Chinese martial arts in 1982, spending much of his youth competing and teaching these arts. Promotion Dates/Ranks
Jun Fan Gung Fu from Dan Inosanto – 1998
Jeet Kune Do from Rich Lamoureaux - 1998
Jeet Kune Do from Ted LucayLucay -1995
White Crane Kung Fu from Yao Ka Ho - 1990
Chinese Kenpo from Ron Spanbauer - 1990
FILIPINO/INDONESIAN MARTIAL ARTS
Benjamin was initially introduced to these arts in 1986 and has since travel numerous times to the Philippines and Indonesia to increase his depth of knowledge. He has been lucky enough to train with some of the finest practitioners in the world including: Dan Inosanto, Ted LucayLucay, Larry Hartsell, Rick Faye, Burton Richardson, Greg Nelson, Fred Degerberg, Roger Luri, Rich Lamoureaux, Steve Tarani, Marc Denny, Herman Suwanda, Bambang Suwanda, Tubagus Bambang Sudrajat, Leo Giron, Edgar Sulite, Cacoy Cañete, Dionisio Cañete, Tom Sipin, Topher Ricketts, Ising Atillo, Remy Presas, Nick Elizar, Norman Elizar, Mike Inay, and Cronnie Cabatingan. Benjamin Holds the following Instructorships:
Promotion Dates/Ranks
Filipino Martial Arts from Dan Inosanto - Associate Instructor 2001
Filipino Martial Arts under Dan Inosanto - Apprentice Instructor 1998
Filipino Martial Arts from Rich Lamoureaux - Instructor
1998
Mande Muda Pencak Silat from Herman Suwanda - Instructor 1996
LucayLucay Kali from Ted LucayLucay – Apprentice Instructor 1995
Law Enforcement:
Benjamin's official law enforcement training records show he has completed of 1,800+ hours of recognized LEO training. During his career he worked as a detention officer, patrol officer, SWAT member, and a contract service provider (tactical trainer) to dozens of agencies world wide. Benjamin has presented defensive tactics training at various Regional (North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy, Fulton Country Public Safety Training Center, Georgia Public SafetyTraining Center, and more), Federal International Academies (FBI Academy, DEA Academy, ILEA Bangkok, Landespolizei Academy, Hamburg Germany, and more). LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTRUCTOR COURSE CERTIFICATIONS
Advanced Tactical Baton Instructor
ASP Baton Instructor
Close Quarter Tactics Instructor
Contact Weapon Defense Instructor
Controlled FORCE F.A.T.S. Instructor
Controlled FORCE Instructor
Compliance Controls and Restraints Instructor
Comprehensive Contact Weapon Instructor
Comprehensive Weapon Retention Instructor
Defensive Tactics Instructor
Edged Weapon Defense Instructor
Firearms Instructor
General Law Enforcement Instructor
Ground Defense and Control Train-the-Trainer
Ground Control Instructor
Ground Defense and Control Instructor
Improvised Weapons Instructor
Mechanics of Arrest
Officer Folding Knife Safety Instructor
Oleoresin Capsicum Instructor
Simunition® Scenario and Safety Instructor
SIGNIFICANT LAW ENFORCEMENT COURSE COMPLETIONS
Advanced Urban Combat Tactics
Close Quarter Tactical Carbine
CQB Specialist
Combat Pistol and Combat Shotgun
Haught Tactical Shotgun Course
High Level Resistance Control Tactics
High Risk Warrant Service
Detention Officer School
Officer Survival
Patrol Response for Active Shooters
Patrol Rifle
S.W.A.T. School
Urban Tactics for Armed Confrontations
SIGNIFICANT LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
• 2019 – F.B.I. Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (Marquette University) - Letter of Appreciation for Training
• 2016-2019 – North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy – Award of Appreciation
• 2015 – U.S. Marshals Service - Certificate of Appreciation for Training and Support
• 2015 – Washington County SWAT - Letter of Appreciation for Training and Support
• 2013 – Afghan Border Police Kabul Airport Security Command – Letter for Training and Assessment
• 2010 – Royal Thai Police/Bangkok Metro Crowd Control Unit ‐ Letter of Appreciation for Training
• 2010 – Brazilian Groupo T.I.G.R.E. (Hostage Rescue Unit) Parana ‐ Letter of Appreciation for Training
• 2005, 2009 – U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Certificate of Appreciation - International Training
• 2008 – Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan ‐ Certificate of Appreciation for Training
• 2007 – Italian Guardia di Finanza ‐ Letter of Appreciation for Professional Support
• 2007 – Afghan Border Police Western Command – Letter for Appreciation Training and Support
• 2006 – U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Teams ‐ Award of Appreciation for Training
• 2006 – Dominican Navy/National Drug Control Directorate ‐ Award for Training and Support
• 2004 – U.S. Marine Corps Letter of Appreciation for Pre‐deployment Training (Iraq)
• 2003 – U.S. Air Force Letter of Appreciation for Pre‐deployment Training (Afghanistan)
