INSTRUCTORS Noel A. Castillo is the Head Instructor at Tiger & Dragon Martial Arts of Kendall in Miami, Florida. He brings a wealth of real world experience and training to the multiple programs that are offered at our location. Mr. Castillo joined the U.S. Army in 1991 as a Cavalry Scout (Active Duty). He completed his Basic Training & Basic Armored Reconnaisance Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. While on active duty he also attended the Jungle Operations/Warfare Course at Fort Sherman, Panama and participated in a J.T.F. 6 (Counter-drug operations) mission in the southwest portion of the United States. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, he continued to serve in a variety of reserve/national guard units until 2002 to include: ·Florida National Guard 260th Military Intelligence Batallion (Spanish Translator/Interpretor ·Florida National Guard Charlie Company 1st 124 Infantry (Infantryman) ·U.S. Air Force Reserve 482nd Security Forces Homestead Air Reserve Base (Security Police) It was during the J.T.F. 6 mission that Mr. Castillo became interested in the law enforcement field. In 1995 he joined the Miami-Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Department as a Correctional Officer. He continued to serve in Miami-Dade County until 2004. During that time he also served as a Corrections Background Investigator and as a Police Officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department (Cutler Ridge District). In 2000 Officer Castillo along with his partner Officer Oro, were selected as the Police Benevolent Association’s Runner-Up Officer of the Year for their efforts in the apprehension of three felons who were in the middle of a home invasion robbery upon the officer’s arrival. In 2004 Officer Castillo transferred to the Miami Beach Police Department where he currently works on the midnight shift. In 1995 Mr. Castillo also began his formal martial arts training in the arts of Shootfighting® and Kenpo Karate under the direction of world-renowned martial artist Bart Vale <http://www.shootfighting.com/home_isfa.html>. From 1995 - 2005 Mr. Castillo competed in several Shootfighting® events both in Florida and in several other states to include: ·Shootfighting® Open - North Miami, Fl. - Barry University 1996 ·Shootfighting® Combat Championships - Cape Coral, Fl. - 01-24-1998 ·Team USA 2000 Shidokan Open - Fort Lauderdale, Fl. - June 10, 2000 ·East Coast Shootfighting® - Meriden, Connecticut - February 24, 2001 ·Great Lakes Shootfighting® Championship - Troy, Michigan - September 6, 2003 ·Deep South Brawl II - Miami, Fl. - October 9, 2004 ·Only The Strong - Miami, Fl. - January 29, 2005 ·Truth or Dare - Miami, Fl. - April 2005 MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE HAS USED THESE TECHNIQUES IN DOCUMENTED VIOLENT ENCOUNTERS WITH A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS ON THE STREET THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER. Mr. Castillo’s certifications/education includes: ·International Shootfighting Association Certified Instructor ·Certified Police Defensive Tactics Instructor ·Certified State of Florida “DI” Instructor (Security Guard Trainer): D.I. #2600006 -Certified ASP (Expendable Baton) Instructor ·Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University In June of 2005 he opened Tiger & Dragon Martial Arts of Kendall where he teaches today. In July of 2007 Castillo travelled to Japan with the I.S.F.A.'s regional coordinators and senior instructors to train & compete with their Japanese counterparts. In addition, plans were finalized to provide students from both countries the opportunity to travel between Japan & the United States to train & compete.