Head Instructor Robert Benjamin, 2nd Degree, was born on May 4, 1968 in Oakland, California of Irish ancestry. He began his martial arts career in 1982 when he began studying Kajukenbo a Gaylord Style of Kempo Kung FU under Sifu Anthony Hemenes. Head Inst. Benjamin has trained in karate for more than 25 years and has been a member of Universal Kempo Karate Schools Association since August 1990. Inst. Benjamin was promoted to the rank of student black belt in July 1995 and his first degree black belt in March 1998. He continues to practice to become a better student and teacher under the instruction of Assistant Professor, Garland R. Johnson. Today, Head Instructor Robert Benjamin is the head instructor of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Branch of Universal Kempo Karate located in Colorado Springs Colorado and his wife Head Instructor Sheryl Benjamin is the Head Instructor of the Castlerock Branch in Castlerock, Colorado. Now - Karate aside! BENJI is a devoted husband and a wonderful father of three rambunctious and talented children (Ashley 14, James 9, and Brandon 8). Benji retired from the Air Force last August after over 20 years of active duty service. I think the military was one of the best things that could have happened for Benji. It helped him lead a positive life-- away from the poverty-stricken, gang-ridden streets of Oakland California. Benji's childhood was filled with memories of abusive step- fathers, drinking, drugs, and violence. His family was poor and he knew that there wouldn't be any money for college (especially because he was the oldest of 6 siblings). So he joined the Air Force in July 1986 - he was 18. Six years later, he found himself a girl who would actually put up with him...(Yes that would be me, Sheryl Benjamin) We had kids...we traveled through Europe...we opened the Germany Branch of Universal Kempo Karate (in 1995 I think...and eventually we returned to Colorado. Now that Benji is retired from the military, our family plans to remain in Colorado; we plan to train and teach Kempo for years to come; we will remain here to build a "Home" and raise our family and build as many memories as possible.