Hi There
My name is Pete and I’m the founder of USP.
Firstly I’d like to thank the moderator for pointing out the forum rules which Susan signed up for.
To her credit, she contacted one of my instructors to make her claim, albeit in the same way - no evidence and with rather inaccurate facts.
We had sorted this out, but as this is now on a public forum, I would like to state the USP case!
This is a direct quote from Jim Wagner to Susan via an email which I was cc’d in on:
Yes, back when I first started Reality-Based Personal Protection on January 21, 2003 there was a Level 4 instructor certification, which is mentioned in one of my first published books by Budo International, and it was reserved for police and military defensive tactics instructors. I guess it is my fault for some of the confusion because I should put this on my website somewhere. So, in Pete’s defense, he was not falsely advertising.
Secondly, Susan states that other parts of my profile ring alarm bells, but mentions nothing specifically. I did reply to her with my profile as follows to try and defend my credibility which she had attacked for no discernable reason: (I have not named my law enforcement agency here for professional and security reasons)
I don’t list my full qualifications on my web site for security reasons and because I do not feel I need to. However, in the spirit of defending myself (all be it via email!) I will do so for you so you are able to see I’m not just a copy cat and have my own training and experience which I have put into my own system:
Blackbelt/Instructor Kempo Ryu Karate Kickboxing.
IKMF Krav Maga Instructor G2.
Jim Wagner’s Reality Based Personal Protection system Level 4 and ex director for the UK.
IHR Defensive Tactics Simulation Instructor.
FIST suit Scenario Trainer.
Law Enforcement Unarmed Defensive Tactics Instructor.
First Aid Instructor.
FAST Defence Trained.
MMA Trained.
ESDS Trained.
Close Protection Trained.
Instinctive Point Shooting Trained.
Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism Operator - Explosives Search Team specialist.
15 Years Law Enforcement Experience.
I have also had firearms aimed at me, knives thrust at me, been threatened with syringes, had countless verbal and physical confrontations and been attacked by junkies’ dogs in the line of duty, so I have a great deal of frontline experience.
Hopefully this last paragraph also answers Lionknight’s query regarding being street proven defensive tactics. Many of my students are law enforcement officers and many have used the tactics I have taught them - hence the term: street proven.
Regarding our videos:
We have two types - promotional and training.
The promotional ones are just that - for PROMOTION! - so of course we do have some degree of compliance - we have never claimed otherwise, but if you watch our other videos, it is very clear our TRAINING - and lets face it, that’s what counts - is very realistic with non compliant attackers.
Regarding scenarios and students having their hands down - these videos are published on you tube for students to critique their own training which we encourage and use as an effective and modern day learning tool to debrief.
They have already noted their flaws themselves and are humble enough to allow me to publish their videos anyway. ‘Mistakes’ like this should be included in training videos as this is reality.
Below is a direct copy from an email I received from Susan, retracting her comments - it would have been nice if she had done so on this forum as well to save me having to bore you all with war and peace, but sadly she hasn’t!!:
Hello Mr Lee,
Sorry my email came across a little strong, but i have been let down in the past by many instructors claiming to be some they are not. I have received an email off Jim Wagner this evening providing me insurance of your background.
With that in mind, i would like to attend your classes when i move to Devon next month. I currently live in Bristol.
I know Jim faced a lot of criticism online in the past, but i saw past that as his training was second to none. I’m hoping one day to attend his level 3 course in Germany.
I am also thinking of attending his level 1 course in Devon this coming October.
Once again, sorry for the bad written email, hopefully speak to you soon when i move to Devon
kind regards
susan
I have put a link here that is an open website for people who have trained with me to upload their own honest reviews. Susan has not trained with me, but these people have:
Oops - Just found out I’m not allowed to post links!!! The website is called freeindex - I’m sure if you type in martial arts and self defence in newton abbot you’ll find us and be able to read reviews about our system!
Thanks for your time everyone.
Best regards Pete