Grand MasterJason M. Velez
Grand Master Jason Velez is widely regarded as a leader in the global martial arts community, with more than five decades of martial arts training and over 20 years of military service. His expertise bridges traditional martial arts, modern combatives, law enforcement defensive tactics, and counter-terrorism training.
He is a Certified Expert in Israeli Defense Forces Krav Maga, Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics, and Counter-Terrorism. His background combines military, law enforcement, and civilian self-defense training, giving him a rare depth of real-world application and instructional authority.
GM Velez served as a U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division Light Infantry Commando, VIP Force Protection Team Leader, Close Quarters Battle Instructor, Advanced Combat Weapons Instructor, and Combat Fitness Instructor. He is a retired Vietnam Era U.S. Raider-Recon Marine and a U.S. Army Persian Gulf War Combat Veteran.
During his military career, he was instrumental in developing and conducting Close Quarter Combat and Counter-Terrorism solutions within the special units he served. His operational experience led to worldwide work as an Executive Protection Agent and Security Operator, further expanding his expertise in high-risk security environments.
This combination of real-world operational experience and martial arts mastery establishes USMC/US Army Retired Sergeant First Class Jason Velez as one of the most qualified instructors in combatives and survival training for both professionals and civilians worldwide.
Recognition & Honors
Grand Master Velez serves as an Ambassador to numerous martial arts organizations and has received multiple distinguished honors, including:
- •Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors Platinum Award (2011)
- •Goodwill Ambassador Award (2014–2015) — often referred to as the Academy Awards of Martial Arts
- •2× Inductee, Who's Who in the American Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2024–2025)
- •USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)
Film & Entertainment Industry Work
GM Velez currently works with film and television actors in stunt fighting and tactical training. Notable names he has trained include:
Mel Gibson • Eric Roberts • Robert LaSardo • Michael Madsen • Harvey Keitel • Tyrese Gibson • Robert Donovan • Tom Arnold • Bryan Van Holt • Nora Zehetner • Bai Ling • Danny Trejo • Todd Bridges • 50 Cent • Frank Grillo • Michael Jai White • Tom Sizemore • Noel Gugliemi
He is also active in the film industry as a Producer, Writer, Director, Actor, Stunt Coordinator, and Fight Choreographer, and recently relocated to the Philippines.
On-screen appearances include:
Casual • Ballers • Angie Tribeca • Surviving-Mann (2024)
Films including Boneyard (2025), Arena Wars (2025), and numerous other productions.
Qualifications
- •50+ years of practical analysis and research in martial arts and combative sciences
- •45+ years of teaching experience in the military, law enforcement, and private sector
- •Certified Full Instructor in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do and Filipino-Indonesian martial arts
- •Certified Senior Master Black Belt in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian martial arts
- •Certified Expert in Israeli Defense Forces Krav Maga
- •IDF Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor & Counter-Terrorism Expert
- •Inventor of the Fire-Wall Vertical Fitness Training Apparatus System
- •2× Best-Selling Book Co-Writer Award (2024–2025)
- •Master Teacher of Reiki, Qi Gong, and energy healing modalities
- •#1 All Army Trainer, Southwest Region (2000–2003)
- •5× Army Iron Horse Games Taekwondo Grand Champion (1981–1985)
- •World Karate League Senior Grand Masters Fighting Champion — Orlando, FL (2017)