Reminder: Photos Available for Download

Just a reminder: We have hundreds of high quality photos available for download (for free). Just go to the following website and use the password "FONC" to access the photo albums for this training. Thanks to LTJG Gould for putting these photos together!

http://aperture.zenfolio.com/f444265547

Video Montage - 130616

Here's a video montage showing some of the stuff we did yesterday. Thanks to LTJG Gould for putting this together.

Officer's Report - 130617

Day 2 is in the books. We woke the cadets up at 0600 for an hour of grappling, followed by breakfast - a protein shake, almond butter, yogurt, and an apple. Afterwards, we got in an hour of judo instruction. The guys learned O Soto Gari - Big Outside Reaping Throw. A very useful takedown for wrestling, judo and jiu jitsu.

Afterwards, we got in a 16-minute CrossFit workout. Sixteen minutes, that's all. Here's what the guys did: Four rounds of pull ups (1 minute) push ups (1 minute) sit ups (1 minute) squats (1 minute). Sixteen minutes. Some guys got in over 500 repetitions. A bunch got in over 400 reps. Everybody got in over 250 reps. That's a lot of work for 16 minutes. A whole lot of work. One guy even lost his breakfast (my son).

Afterwards, the guys worked with Instructor Lash, getting in some stick and knife work (how to defend against stick and knife attacks). This was followed by a wholesome lunch - cold cuts (turkey), carrots, broccoli and sliced oranges. The prefect paleo/zone midday meal.

In the afternoon, the guys continued working with Instructor Lash and then did some horsing around (supervised, of course). They stacked up a bunch of gear and practiced diving rolls over it. Diving front rolls are a judo falling skill we covered yesterday. The cadets had a great time at it.

After some more grappling, we ate grilled jumbo beef franks, coleslaw, carrots and broccoli. Another balanced meal. After dinner we gave the cadets their technology for a half hour to correspond with family and friends. And we let the guys swim at a nearby pool.

Finally, we had a long "Values & Vices" discussion. The topic: Freedom and Oppression. We talked about how freedom is always associated with responsibility and how oppression is always associated with force. It was a great back & forth. There IS hope for the next generation!

At 2230 it was lights out. We'll be back on the mats again tomorrow morning at 0600. Have a wonderful evening. And thank you for the opportunity to work with your kids!

Officer's Report - 130616

Day 1 is in the books. After checking in 33 cadets, we ran them through a general orientation session introducing the officers and staff. We also dealt with the chain of command, safety, hygiene, operating procedures (a euphemism for taking out the garbage, mopping the mats, and cleaning the bathrooms), and the plan for the week. A couple cadets got delayed at the airport and only one had lost baggage - not too bad for modern-day transportation.

Afterwards, we began to explore different aspects of self defense: kicking & punching, elbows & knees, the clinch, take downs, and ground fighting. We even spent some time discussing the major positions on the ground: The guard, side control, north-south, the mount and the back. An awful lot of material, so we just provided a general overview.

Next, we ate dinner. Pulled pork, broccoli, carrots and baked beans. Lots of protein and complex carbohydrates. The paleo/zone diet - the way the guys will eat this entire week.

After dinner we discussed the relationship between diet, exercise, rest and recovery. This was followed by some instruction on guard fighting and a vigorous grappling session. Finally, we had our first daily "Virtues & Vices" session, where we discussed Perseverance and Arrogance.

Stay tuned for more updates as the week progresses. We uploaded over 100 photos at the following website ("FONC" is the password to access these photos):

http://aperture.zenfolio.com/

FONC 2013 Update: Training is Full

Unfortunately, FONC 2013 is full. We filled our last billets yesterday. I hope to do another training in the Winter. Stay tuned for details.

Honor Cadet Award

I received this plaque in the mail today. It will go to the cadet that works hardest in FONC 2013. Not necessarily the most talented grappler. Not necessarily the most talented striker. And definitely not a smooth talker. No, this award is going to the hardest worker. The cadet who completes every rigorous task without complaining. The cadet who refuses to quit. The cadet with the most heart.

Are you ready to stake your claim to this award?

Guest Instructor: Ryan Reser

Ryan was introduced to judo at the age of five by parents who were looking to keep Ryan and his siblings out of trouble. By age 7 Ryan was competing in national events and ultimately chose to narrow his sports away from other sports and toward judo with the ultimate goal of competing in the Olympic Games. "My experiences have given me the goal of being America 's first Olympic gold medalist in judo. This is what has driven me to the place that I am today," Ryan says. "I love judo and even though I sacrificed a lot to chase my dream, I have also gained a lot and wouldn't give that up for the world."

Career Highlights:

2009:
Bronze - U.S. Open (81kg)
Fifth - USA Judo Senior National Championships (81kg)

2008:
Gold - U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo
Gold - U.S. Open
Silver - Olympic Zone Cup
Fifth - Pan American Championships

2007:
Gold - USA Judo Senior National Championships
Gold - Pan American Games
Gold - Pan American Championships
Gold - II Copa Yanira Ramos Vigil
Gold - FEDOJUDO International Cup
Gold - U.S. Open
Silver - Swiss Open
Bronze - Tre-Torri International
Bronze - Jose Ramon Rodriguez Championships
Bronze - Puerto Rico Open

2006:
Gold - National Championships
Silver - Rotterdam World Cup
Silver - Boras World Cup
Bronze - Rendez-Vous Canada
Bronze - Belgium Open
Bronze - U.S. Open

2005:
Gold - Pacific Rim Championships
Gold - Puerto Rico Open
Gold - Pan American Championships
Gold - World Team Trials
Gold - Rendez-Vous Canada
Silver - U.S. Open
Silver - National Championships
Bronze - British Open
Fifth - Belgium Open

2004:
Gold - U.S. Open
Silver - New York Open
Silver - Rendez Vous Canada

2003:
Gold - Benito Juarez Championships
Gold - FEDOJUDO International Cup
Gold - Fall Classic Nationals
Silver - USA Judo Senior National Championships
Silver - Rendez Vous Canada
Bronze - U.S. Open
Bronze - New York Open
Bronze - Puerto Rico Open

2002:
Gold - USA Judo Senior National Championships
Gold - Benito Juarez Championships
Gold - Rendez Vous Canada
Gold - British Open
Bronze - Finnish Open
Bronze - Hungarian Open
Fifth - Swedish Open

2001:
Gold - USA Judo Senior National Championships
Gold - Pacific Rim Championships
Gold - Rendez Vous Canada
Bronze - U.S. Open

2000:
Silver - USA Judo Senior National Championships
Bronze - U.S. Open
Bronze - Rendez-Vous Canada

1999:
Gold - U.S. Open
Gold - New York Open
Silver - Rendez-Vous Canada

We are very fortunate to have Ryan back again as a guest instructor this year.