Barry Rodemaker
Grandmaster Barry A. Rodemaker Born on September 16, 1969 in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Grandmaster Rodemaker is the founder and president of the Tactical hapkido Alliance, referred to as Tactical hapkido. He is a strong Christian and routinely upholds his believes, as evident in his personal stories through published articles 1 and he prominently displays the Biblical scripture Isaiah 54:17 on the alliance’s official website 2. Grandmaster Rodemaker is married to Jean Rodemaker and he has six children in his family. He and his family currently resides in Lawrence Park a suburb near Erie Pennsylvania 3.
Founding and Recognition of the Tactical Hapkido Alliance
Grandmaster Rodemaker founded the Tactical Hapkido Alliance in 2001. On June 19, 2003 Grandmaster Rodemaker gained international acceptance as the founder of Tactical Hapkido by the International Black Belt Organization 4. Then on June 2, 2007 Grandmaster Rodemaker received further recognition and acceptance by receiving Dojunim certification and Degree of 8th dan through the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association International Supreme Elite Warrior Council 5
Grandmaster Rodemaker Martial Arts History
When Grandmaster Rodemaker was a child growing up in Hershey, Pennsylvania every Sunday after church he and his father would watch Kung Fu Theater where the spark for the love of the martial arts were seeded. In his early teens his parents would send have him attend various local martial arts seminars, as much as possible and when they could afford it, to encourage his interests in the martial arts 6.
He started to receive formal training in the martial arts when he was 17 by his mentor Master Joe Fox, now a Grandmaster 7. Barry Rodemaker received first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, but the curriculum taught was Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do 8. Being a black belt, his mentor gave Rodemaker a key to the school and made him in charge of the morning classes 9.
During this time he was teaching, he met a fellow student who was a second degree black belt in hapkido and had the complete training system on him of the art of Han Mu Do (manuals and videos) by Dr. He-Young Kimm, the two would come in early everyday before classes started and only focus on practicing the techniques 10. Afterwards Barry would then teach his fellow students what he learned and practiced11.
Once Barry Rodemaker received his 2nd dan from Master Fox he moved to Erie to open up his school called the Erie Institute of Tae Kwon Do, later moving to Harborcreek PA 12 13.
Grandmaster Barry Rodemaker’s Current Martial Arts Activities
Besides being the president of the Tactical Hapkido Alliance, he is also an official representative of the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association 14.
Grandmaster Rodemaker is also working with MEDIA MOGULS, INCORPORATED (MMI) based in Cleveland, Ohio on the video series BEST DEFENSE, which is going to document how martial arts experts can use their knowledge to teach people with disabilities, women, and children to truly use martial arts to defend themselves 15.
Certifications, Awards and Recognition
7th Dan Tae Kwon Do – International Black Belt Organization 16
6th Dan Tang Soo Do - National Tang Soo Do Federation 17
8th Dan Ching Sai Do (Christian Martial Arts) – B.B.F.I.
8th Dan Hapkido – World Korean Martial Arts Union
8th Dan - International Supreme Elite Warrior's Council
8th Dan - Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance
Founder Recognition of Tactical Hapkido- I.B.B.O.
Dojunim Certification - International Supreme Elite Warrior's Council
Master of the Year World Head of Family Sokeship Hall of Fame Sept. 1997
Master of the Year Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers & Legends Hall of Fame May 1998 22
Outstanding Master Instructor United Martial Arts Assoc. Hall of Fame July 1999
Dedication to the Martial Arts Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame 2001
Life Achievement Award World Christian Martial Arts Hall of Fame April 2001
School of the Year World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame June 2002 23
Outstanding Organization of the Year World Karate Union Hall of Fame2003 24
Organization of the Year World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame June 2005
Hapkido Man of Honor International Hall of Honor / Hall of Champions Nov. 2005
Grandmaster Warrior of Honor International Hall of Honor / Hall of Champions Nov. 2006 27
Supreme Elite Prestige of Honor International Hall of Honor / Hall of Champions Nov. 2008 28
References
1. Stand Firm, posted 2/24/2009 by GM Rodemaker
3. Biography of GM Rodemaker, Then and Now.
4. Founder Recognition of Tactical Hapkido- I.B.B.O. SN: USA/16SEP69/1036/Pennsylvania
5. USHOFMAA International Supreme Elite Warrior Council Certificate
6. THA Podcast, Firm Foundations 3/1/2009 14min 10sec
7. Harrisburg Institute of Tae Kwon Do, Grandmaster Fox Bio
8. THA Podcast, Firm Foundations 3/1/2009 15min 30sec
9. THA Podcast, Firm Foundations 3/1/2009 15min 30sec
10. THA Podcast, Firm Foundations 3/1/2009 16min 30sec
11. THA Podcast, Firm Foundations 3/1/2009 17min 11sec
12. THA Podcast, Firm Foundations 3/1/2009 17min 11sec
13. Tae Kwon Do Network, PA Schools Registar
15. MMI Press Release December 2008, Greater Cleveland Film Commission
16.I.B.B.O. 7th Dan SN:USA/16SEP69/1036/Pennsylvania
17. 6th Dan Tang Soo Do - National Tang Soo Do Federation SN 020405 on 4/15/2005
18. 8th Dan Ching Sai Do (Christian Martial Arts) – B.B.F.I. SN: 1047P1210
20. 8th Dan - Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance 11/2008
21. Master of the Year World Head of Family Sokeship Hall of Fame Sept. 1997
22. International Ninjutsu Society, Directors, State Representatives and Board Directors Biographies
23. World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame June 2002
24. World Karate Union Hall of Fame2003
25. International Hall of Honor / Hall of Champions Nov. 2005
26. Martial Arts Association International Special News Report 2005
27. International Hall of Honor / Hall of Champions Nov. 2006
28. Supreme Elite Prestige of Honor International Hall of Honor / Hall of Champions Nov. 2008