Judo is known for its spectacular throwing techniques but also includes numerous techniques for controlling an opponent while on the ground.  Judo is often compared to freestyle wrestling and while the two share many techniques, judo retains many dangerous self-defense maneuvers.  In 1977, Sidell began training in karate.

“At first it was frustrating because I would get up to a brown or red belt (the belts before black) and transfer with the Air Force and have to start over in another martial arts style because I couldn’t find an instructor teaching my previous style,” explains Sidell.

Despite the challenges he faced, Sidell’s perseverance has earned him a promotion to a fifth degree black belt in ASK, an eclectic system which takes the application of techniques from all available arts and incorporates them into a training mentality of survival.  The techniques are designed for one purpose: to stop an aggressor quickly and effectively.  Teaching formats blend from beginner to advanced by building on a strong, fundamental base of self-defense applications and philosophy.

The promotion to fifth degree is also a promotion to master instructor.  This means that not only has Sidell mastered all punching, blocking and kicking techniques, but he has earned the respect of the other master instructors.  He did this by teaching and repeatedly producing students who can defend themselves and who display respect for others and maturity in employing their martial arts skills.

When asked what he thinks is the appeal of martial arts, Sidell says the answer can be found in the movie, “The Karate Kid.”  In the film, Mr. Myagi tells his young student that one learns karate so one doesn’t have to fight.

“We live in a dangerous world,” Sidell explains.  “Martial Arts give folks the self confidence that they can defend themselves in most situations.  When attacked, we do fight.  That is the draw.  But, we are also going to avoid conflict whenever possible;  we have confidence, but we don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

Sidell believes that martial arts have played a role in making him the person he is today.  “When I was 5 or 6 years old, I used to get in a lot of trouble.  My parents put me in martial arts to teach me discipline and it worked.  The discipline imposed from my instructors became self-discipline and translated into better grades, better behavior and even into my work ethic after entering the military and then civil service,” says Sidell.

Sidell is not the only one in his family who shares a passion for martial arts.  His dughters practiced karate growing up, often attending their father’s classes.  Sidell’s youngest daughter is a police officer in Chesterfield County, VA.  “Since she has been on the force,” he says, “she has used her karate in situations with both men and women.  Her childhood training, augmented by specialized police tactics, has helped keep her safe.”

After 42 years of martial art training, a black belt and a passion to teach, Sidell hopes to teach classes at Fort Hood and continue sharing his love of the art with others.

 

“Hi YAH!”  says John Sidell as he demonstrates self-defense techniques to students during the Texas State Karate Seminar in Waco, Texas.  Sidell is an American Street Karate, or ASK, fifth degree black belt and store director for the Fort Hood, Texas commissary.

Sidell came to the Defense Commissary Agency as acting chief of training in May 1991 as an active duty Air Force senior master sergeant.  He had spent 18 of his 20 military years in the commissary business.  He worked as the acting chief of the business operations group at the headquarters performance and policy directorate before accepting the position as the Fort Hood store director.

Sidell became involved with karate in 1963 at Clark Air Base, Philippines.  He first began training in the art of judo.  Judo, which means “The Gentle Way,” is a Japanese martial art based upon the ancient techniques of jujitsu. 

Fort Hood I store director John Sidell, earns fifth degree black belt in American Street Karate

 

By CAPT. AUDRICIA MCKINNEY

DeCA special correspondent

Date: Spring 2006