I started working as a police officer in 1986 for the City of San Rafael, located in Northern California. San Rafael is in Marin County, one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. It is also home to an area referred to as "The Canal", a high density, low income, high crime area located on the city's Eastern border. I thank God for the canal, because this is where I really learned how to be a cop. I worked with some of the best street cops who ever patrolled a beat, and this is where I began to hone my warrior skills.

Rodger Ruge

I was never one to sit still very long and within my second year on the force I was successful in becoming appointed to the S.W.A.T. team. Between my experiences on the street, and the missions and training I participated in while on S.W.A.T., my warrior spirit began to flourish. Serving on an elite unit like S.W.A.T., with the department's most dedicated and inspired warriors; I began a journey of self-discovery that continues to this day. I owe those fine officers I served with an enduring debt of gratitude for setting me on the warrior's path.

In 1990 I left San Rafael for a larger city 60 miles to the North, Santa Rosa, California. Santa Rosa is a significantly larger city and it offered more opportunities to advance my growing street skills. I quickly excelled in this larger and more challenging department, and within my first year I began working on a hard hitting street crimes unit that focused on prostitution, street level drug dealing and gang enforcement in Santa Rosa's toughest neighborhoods. Immersed in this high risk assignment I realized quickly I needed to further enhance my warrior skills. I began to study Wing Chung Kung Fu, boxing, Jujitsu, Tai Chi and 8-fist Kung Fu. I was able to adapt the fighting skills I learned for use on the street, and it gave me the edge I needed to stay safe.

Still not satisfied I became a defensive tactics instructor for the department, holding certifications from International Training Resources, Controlled Force and LAPD Arrest and Control training systems. I began teaching other warrior topics, including the use of the Taser, baton, firearms, emergency vehicle operations and how to deal with emotionally disturbed persons. I also developed a program to teach wellness (fitness, nutrition and stress management) and formed a partnership with Dr. L. John Mason to provide wellness training to emergency services personnel. I am also a certified personal trainer, specifically trained to serve law enforcement personnel, through the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas. Ultimately I was able to become my department's Training Manager and in 2002 I received certification from the state of California as a Master Instructor through the Peace Officer Standards and Training (California POST).

One of my major concerns for people involved in protection services (law enforcement, security and military), is the often lackadaisical attitude toward the perfection of warrior skills displayed by the personnel in these fields. It has been my experience that the majority of my peers do not see improving their fighting and survival skills as a top priority. For many, striving for excellence in these perishable skills ranks low on their “to do” list. Frankly, it deeply concerns me. So, rather than wallowing in despair for my brother and sister warriors, I tapped into my 18 years of experience as a police officer and started a private use of force and conditioning class directed toward those who would serve and protect our society. Together, my students and I are constantly striving to improve our skills and maintain our edge over those who would do us harm. For more information on private classes please contact me.

Now, if you have been following the theme of my professional life you will understand that I was still not satisfied with simply creating a martial arts class directed toward just a few individuals. I realized the current level of training for emergency services personnel is at best mired in the basics of physical skills. Only a very few progressive departments spend any time working on the mental skills necessary for surviving critical incidents. Therefore I decided to complete a book designed to enhance the mental conditioning necessary to become a complete warrior, The Warrior's Mantra, Barricade Books, April 2005. To learn more about this life altering book and advance ordering please check the following link:The Warrior's Mantra.

It is important that you understand one very important aspect of my personality. I am dedicated toward serving others. I feel that working in the field of emergency services, no matter if it is directed toward law enforcement, security or the military, is one of the most difficult jobs in the world today. I also know for a fact that much of the training received by the fine men and women who watch over us is well below where it needs to be to achieve excellence. I am dedicated toward serving the emergency services community and enhancing the skills, both mentally and physically, to allow YOU to survive.

Stay tactical, stay trained & stay safe!