ABOUT CALI COMBAT SYSTEMS
San Diego's Most Complete Martial Arts & Self-Defense Training Center
WHAT IS CALI COMBAT SYSTEMS?
Cali Combat Systems is not a fitness gym that teaches kickboxing classes. It is not a strip-mall McDojo offering colored belts on a monthly payment plan. It is not a sport program where the rulebook defines what you are allowed to know.
Cali Combat Systems is San Diego's most complete, lineage-grounded, reality-based martial arts and self-defense training center — a school built on 30+ years of training, 30 years of teaching, and the hard-won understanding that real martial arts knowledge comes from one source: authentic lineage, honest instruction, and pressure-tested application.
Founded in 2017 by Sifu Jeramiah Giehl — a Progressive Fighting Systems / Descendents of the Master Full Instructor certified directly by Sifu Paul Vunak (the man who trained US Navy SEAL Team 6), a direct lineage holder of Guro Dan Inosanto's Kali and Silat curriculum, a Black Belt under Professor David Tice in the Gene LeBell / Gokor Chivichyan grappling lineage, and a certified Instructor in Israeli Krav Maga under Master Alain Cohen of the Wingate Institute — CCS trains civilians, security professionals, law enforcement officers, military personnel, stunt performers, and martial artists at every level from first-timer to seasoned fighter.
The lineage behind what you learn here runs directly to the source: Bruce Lee → Guro Dan Inosanto → Sifu Paul Vunak → Sifu Jeramiah Giehl.
Forget Hollywood imitations. Train with the real thing.
THE FOUR CORE CCS SYSTEMS
Everything at Cali Combat Systems flows through four integrated programs — each a complete martial art in its own right, each drawing from direct lineage holders, and each designed to make you fully capable at its range and dimension of combat. Together they cover the complete spectrum of real-world violence from threat recognition to the final finish.
1. FIGHT RHYTHM JEET KUNE DO
Jeet Kune Do is not a style. It is not a system tied to a uniform or a belt. It is a philosophy of combat expressed through the human body — created by Sijo Bruce Lee, passed forward by Guro Dan Inosanto, and carried to the streets by Sifu Paul Vunak in the form of the Rapid Assault Tactics system trained by US Navy SEAL Team 6, the FBI, the CIA, and elite military units worldwide.
Fight Rhythm JKD at CCS covers three complete lineages of the art:
Lineage One: Original Jeet Kune Do — Chinatown JKD. The root of the tree. The art Bruce Lee was teaching in his Chinatown school — preserved by Sifu Tim Tackett and his lineage (Bob Bremer and Jim Sewell), with foundational elements from the lineages of Jerry Poteet and Ted Wong. Sifu Jeramiah serves as the Official Head Coach of the San Diego Chinatown JKD Study Group. The straight lead, the stop hit, the Five Ways of Attack, Wing Chun chi sao sensitivity, trapping range, and the economy of motion that defines Bruce Lee's original art.
Lineage Two: Contemporary JKD — Progressive Fighting Systems. The full canopy of the tree. Guro Inosanto's expansion of JKD into Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai, BJJ, and the street-evolved combat methodology of Sifu Paul Vunak. Jun Fan Kickboxing, Wing Chun integration, Panantukan (Filipino Dirty Boxing), Savate, and the complete JKD kickboxing curriculum — along with Rapid Assault Tactics and Military Edged Weapons, the most demanding real-world application of JKD ever developed. RAT was developed for US Navy SEAL Team 6. Sifu Jeramiah is a PFS/DOM Full Instructor who served as Sifu Vunak's assistant instructor from 2018 through 2022, teaching Vunak's IPTPs as his health required it. The same system trained by SEAL Team 6, in San Diego, with a direct lineage instructor.
Lineage Three: Jun Fan JKD Grappling Association — Integrated Ground Fighting Systems. The ground game traces directly to Sifu Larry Hartsell — one of Bruce Lee's original students and the founder of the JFJKDGA. Sifu Jeramiah holds an Associate Level Instructor certification under Sifu John Doty, alongside Black Belts in Combat JuJitsu and Shorinji Ryu JuJitsu, a Level 5 Professional Grappler designation under Professor David Tice, and a Blue Belt in BJJ under Professor Barry Jenkins Sr.
The CCS Phase Method delivers all three lineages through four progressive phases — from foundational tools and body mechanics (Phase 1: Beginner) through sensitivity training and sparring (Phase 2: Intermediate), full-spectrum integration (Phase 3: Advanced), and the expert JKD expression that becomes uniquely yours (Phase 4: Expert). → Full program details: calicombatsystems.com/fight-rhythm-jkd
2. KALI-SILAT MOTION
Before there were guns, before there were armies, before there were rules of engagement — there were the warriors of the Philippine archipelago and the islands of Southeast Asia. And they were devastating.
Kali-Silat Motion is the Southeast Asian Martial Arts (SEAMA) program at CCS — a comprehensive, lineage-grounded curriculum integrating Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis from the Philippines with Silat and KunTao from Indonesia and the Malay Archipelago. This is not a sport program. It is a complete weapons-to-empty-hands fighting system taught by a full contact stick fighter who has trained directly under Guro Dan Inosanto at the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts and holds instructor certifications across multiple Filipino and Southeast Asian systems.
The Kali lineage at CCS:
Inosanto-LaCoste Kali — drawing from Grand Masters Antonio Ilustrisimo, Edgar Sulite, Leo Giron, and Johnny LaCoste → Guro Dan Inosanto → Guro Paul Vunak, Guro Burton Richardson, Guro Daniel Sullivan → Guro Jeramiah Giehl. The twelve angles, Cinco Teros, Abecedario, Hubud-Lubud, Sumbrada, flow drills, disarms, Espada y Daga, and Mano-Mano across all three ranges: Largo, Medio, Corto.
Pekiti Tirsia Kali — Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje → Guro Dan Inosanto, Tuhon Apolo Ladra, and the lineage of Tim Waid and Doug Marcaida → Guro Jeramiah Giehl. The Tri-V entry system, Combat Blade, and Tactical Knife Defense from the official combat system of the Philippine Marine Corps.
Regino Ilustrisimo / Ilustrisimo Kali — through Guro Inosanto. The blade-first system of the legendary blind master, sharpening the edged weapons curriculum with historical depth.
DFA Kali-KunTao — Guro David Seiwert → Guro Jeramiah Giehl. Certified in Single Stick, Double Stick, Knife Defense, and Knife Offense. KunTao's explosive close-range striking integrated with Kali's weapon framework and Silat's off-balancing.
The Silat lineage at CCS:
Maphilindo Silat / Mixed Silat — Herman Suwanda (Mande Muda), Edgar Sulite → Guro Dan Inosanto, Guro Burton Richardson → Guro Jeramiah Giehl. Off-balancing (Langkah), sweeping (Sapu/Biset), locking (Kuncian), and finishing (Buah). Sarong and short stick. The triangular stepping footwork that makes Silat's entries and sweeps work against any size opponent.
Harimau Silat — through Guro Dan Inosanto, Guro Burton Richardson, and Guro Daniel Sullivan. The Tiger system of West Sumatra: low-line attacks, tiger claw strikes, and floor-level sweeping that operates below the opponent's visual field.
KunTao Silat_ — through the Inosanto and DFA Seiwert lineages. The Chinese-Indonesian synthesis combining explosive close-range striking with Silat's off-balancing and weapons integration.
Plus: Panantukan Dirty Boxing (Filipino upper-body weapons system), Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and Bando — the complete Southeast Asian striking arts that finish the stand-up game.
The OCR Game Plan — Offense, Counter, Recounter and the COMBAT formula — Counter On Motion Before Attack Time unify all these arts into a single Combat Flow: a stick attack becomes a Panantukan entry, which becomes a Silat sweep, which becomes a KinaMutai finish. One flow. No seams.→ Full program details: calicombatsystems.com/kali-silat-motion
3. FIRST 2 FIGHT RETZEV COMBATIVES
Retzev — Hebrew for continuous motion. The principle at the heart of Israeli Krav Maga: a relentless, forward-pressure offensive response that does not pause, does not hesitate, and does not stop until the threat is neutralized.
Most self-defense programs teach you to wait. First 2 Fight Retzev Combatives does not wait.
F2F Retzev integrates Israeli Krav Maga as its tactical backbone with the offensive tools of JKD, the weapons intelligence of Kali, the stand-up engine of Panantukan Dirty Boxing, the operational formula of Rapid Assault Tactics and Street Safe, and the Guro Burton Richardson For The Street Series into a unified, pressure-tested combatives education. This is not defensive arts. This is offensive combatives — designed to make you the first one to act, the last one standing, and the most dangerous person in the room.
The Krav Maga lineage at CCS spans five distinct traditions:
Krav Maga Federation of America — Civilian Instructor and Law Enforcement Control Tactics certifications under Master Alain Cohen, 5th Dan, authorized by the Wingate Institute — the Israeli national authority and official IDF Krav Maga certification body.
ATA / TAC Krav Maga — Level 1 Instructor certification under Grand Master Daniel Longoria, integrating Israeli tactical combat with the ATA's structured civilian curriculum.
Krav Maga Worldwide — first trained in Dallas in 2002. Specialized training with Darren Levine. Includes specialized training in Defense Against Attacks in Tubular Environments covering trains, buses, aircraft, hallways, and hostage scenarios.
Warrior Krav Maga — acheived Camo Belt Rank under Master Anthony Landgren, integrating Israeli tactical principles with street-reality orientation prioritizing simplicity, aggression, and immediate applicability.
Also integrated into F2F Retzev:
Sifu Paul Vunak's RAT, Street Safe, and ETGS — Entry, Forward Pressure, Termination. The three-phase formula that turns the Retzev principle into a teachable combat plan.
Guro Daniel Sullivan's Panantukan Dirty Boxing — the offensive engine of F2F Retzev. Bicep and forearm destructions, elbow strikes on three levels, head butts, shoulder checks, eye rakes, and the continuous combination flow that is Retzev made physical.The Krav Maga core targets — Eyes, Throat, Groin, Shin — combined with the JKD interception principle, the Kali defanging instinct, and the RAT formula produce a single, integrated offensive combatives system: First 2 Fight.
The Guro Burton Richardson For The Street Series — MMA for the Street, BJJ for the Street, Silat for the Street, Knife Defense for the Street, and Gun Defense for the Street — the reality-testing layer that asks of every technique: does this actually work? → Full program details: calicombatsystems.com/first-2-fight
4. INTEGRATED GROUND FIGHTING SYSTEMS
Most fights don't start on the ground. But a lot of them end there.
Integrated Ground Fighting Systems (IGFS) is the submission grappling and Combat JuJitsu curriculum at CCS — the no-holds-barred ground fighting system developed by Sifu Larry Hartsell, one of Bruce Lee's original personal students and the founder of the Jun Fan JKD Grappling Association, integrating Judo, Russian Sambo, BJJ, Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling, Japanese Shooto, Filipino Dumog, Indonesian Silat, and Catch-as-Catch-Can Wrestling into a unified curriculum built for the street, not the tournament.
The grappling lineage at CCS:
Jun Fan JKD Grappling Association — Associate Instructor under Sifu John Doty. Core lineage: Bruce Lee → Sifu Larry Hartsell → Sifu John Doty, Sensei David Tice → Sensei Jeramiah Giehl. 1st Dan Black Belt in Shorinji Ryu JuJitsu and Combat JuJitsu under Professor David Tice — Black Belt under Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell. Sifu Jeramiah traveled to Pasadena multiple times per week specifically for this training — not for convenience, but because Professor Tice was there and the training was worth it. That commitment sustained over years is the difference between collecting certificates and actually building a grappling game. Level 5 Professional Grappler under Professor David Tice.
Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Barry Jenkins Sr. Lineage: Carlos Gracie → Carlson Gracie → Renato Taverez → Todd Lawrence → Barry Jenkins → Jeramiah Giehl.
Additional training under Shahram Moosavi (BJJ under Megaton/Rodrigo Medeiros), Michael Akitoshi Stinson (Gracie Combatives), Burton Richardson (BJJ for the Street under Baret Yoshida), Roy Harris (BJJ under Joe Moreira), Dan Rizzuto (Catch Wrestling / M1 Action Design), Randy Couture (Wrestling and Dirty MMA), and Grand Master Pat Burleson (Wadu Ryu JuJitsu) — alongside early foundation training in Trap Fighting and Shooto.
The IGFS curriculum covers the complete ground game: takedowns and throws from wrestling, Judo, and Sambo; the full positional hierarchy from clinch to mount to back; chokes, armlocks, leg locks, and Catch Wrestling submissions; Filipino Dumog clinch and off-balance entries; Harimau Silat ground survival; and KinaMutai — Sifu Paul Vunak's asymmetrical grappling system of biting, eye attacks, and pressure points that closes the gap between sport grappling and what actually happens on the street.
The IGFS philosophy is direct: the ground is the most dangerous place to be in a real fight — multiple opponents, stomps, hard surfaces, weapons in play. But the person who has never trained there is completely helpless when they arrive. CCS trains you to survive it, dominate it, and return to your feet.→ Full program details: calicombatsystems.com/igfs
THE CCS FIGHT-RANGE TARGET ACQUISITION PRIORITIZATION PROCESS (FR-TAPP)
Every class at Cali Combat Systems follows the FR-TAPP — the priority framework that determines which threat is addressed first, second, and third in any real-world confrontation. This is not a technique checklist. It is a tactical decision-making system trained until it becomes instinct.
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Weapons — Projectile weapons, blunt weapons, edged weapons, and improvised weapons of opportunity. Weapon threats are always addressed first.
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E.T.G.S. — Escape To Gain Safety — Women's and Children's Self-Defense. Getting away is always the primary objective when possible.
- Free Fight — Jun Fan Kickboxing — Stand-up striking when no weapon and no mass attack is present. The Brim of Fire. Fight Rhythm.
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The Shutdown Phase — Trapping, Clinch, Pummeling. Closing distance and shutting down the opponent's offense.
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Combat JuJitsu / KinaMutai — Bite to Create Space. Fight to Establish Dominance. Stand Up to Get Away.
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Multiple Opponents / Mass Attack — Never fight in a phone booth when the door is open. Mass attack management and environmental awareness.
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Stress Inoculation — Training for Abduction, Hostage, and Trafficking Prevention scenarios.
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Active Killer Defense — Active Shooter and Mass Casualty Response. E-PAD Protocol.
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Laws Safe — Use of Force Continuum — Law Enforcement Control Tactics. Force Continuum escalation and de-escalation.
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The RAT / Military Edged Weapons — Rapid Assault Tactics and Military termination tactics.
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VIP Close Protection — Third Party Personal Protection.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING PROGRAMS
Beyond the four core programs, CCS offers a complete suite of specialized training available in private, seminar, workshop, and IPTP formats:
IPTP — INTENSIVE PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Get certified in the same system used by Navy SEAL Team 6. In two days.
The IPTP is the signature program of Progressive Fighting Systems. Sifu Jeramiah not only completed his own IPTP under Sifu Paul Vunak — he taught Vunak's IPTPs as his assistant instructor from 2018 through 2022, stepping in as Vunak's health required it. The curriculum you receive at a CCS IPTP was built in direct collaboration with Sifu Paul Vunak and delivered in his name for years.
The IPTP is a 10-hour, two-day immersive program covering the complete RAT formula, the 8 Simple Tools, Straight Blast mechanics, head butt/knee/elbow termination (HKE) on three levels, with additional modules available for KinaMutai asymmetrical grappling, Ground RAT, Clinch RAT, Weapons RAT, Military Edged Weapons, and mass attack principles. Upon completion, participants receive official certification. Available for individuals or groups up to six.
"Give me two days, and I can turn you into a fully competent street fighter with the same system taught to the Navy SEALs." — Sifu Paul Vunak
RAPID ASSAULT TACTICS
The complete RAT system — Entry, Forward Pressure, Termination — as a standalone training program. Available individually, as part of the IPTP, and integrated into the Phase 2 CCS curriculum.
MILITARY EDGED WEAPONS
The edged weapons curriculum certified under Sifu Paul Vunak, deepened through training under Tuhon Apolo Ladra, Guro Burton Richardson, and Guro David Seiwert. Knife offense, knife defense, defanging the snake, weapon retention, knife grappling, and ground survival with an edged weapon in play.
STREET SAFE PROGRAM
Sifu Paul Vunak's compressed, civilian-accessible version of the RAT curriculum. The 8 Simple Tools. The Pain-Pressure-Terminate formula. Immediate, retainable self-defense without a lifetime commitment to the art. No prior experience required.
ETGS — ESCAPE TO GAIN SAFETY: Self-Defense Program
The F2F Retzev combatives curriculum applied to the specific attack patterns women and children face — grabs, holds, chokes, bear hugs, escort attempts — trained with the same aggression-first approach as the full program. Covers pre-attack recognition, grab and choke defenses, ground survival and stand-up, and the psychology of resistance. Available as a community workshop for organizations, schools, houses of worship, and private groups.
ACTIVE SHOOTER RESPONSE TRAINING
Based on certifications from DHS-EMI, FEMA, FBI, OSHA, and CERT Academy 39 (SDFD) combined with specialized training from Pete Hardy, Rick Smith, and Shawn Thornton (Active Shooter and Long Gun Defense with Tactical Combat Medicine), Sifu Don MacGuire (Active Shooter Defense), and Master Alain Cohen (IDF anti-terrorism and active shooter methodology including the specialized tubular environment curriculum for trains, buses, aircraft, and confined spaces).
The E-PAD Protocol: Escape, Prevent Access, Defend — delivered across nine core modules covering incident facts, facility hardening, public places security, active shooter combatives, tactical wound management, hostage survival, anti-terrorism, and LEO active shooter response. Available in half-day, full-day, and two-day formats for organizations, schools, houses of worship, corporate environments, and law enforcement agencies.
THREE LAWS SAFE — LAW ENFORCEMENT DEFENSIVE TACTICS
The Force Continuum program for law enforcement, security, and military — built on JKD, Krav Maga, Kali, and IGFS curriculum, scaled to the legal requirements of professional use-of-force:
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Level I — Control Tactics (LECT): verbal de-escalation, joint locks, pressure point control, Dumog come-alongs, tactical handcuffing, escort and transport.
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Level II — Defensive Tactics (LEDT): strike defenses, clinch control, takedowns, ground restraint, Vascular Neck Restraint, straight baton combatives.
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Level III — Combatives / Termination Tactics (LEC/LETT): full F2F Retzev toolkit within the use-of-force framework — RAT, KinaMutai, weapon retention and disarm, long gun defenses, exigent circumstances combatives.
CCS SEMINARS — NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
Sifu Jeramiah Giehl is available for seminars nationally and internationally across all CCS curriculum areas:
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Stick Fighting — Inosanto-LaCoste Kali, Pekiti Tirsia, and DFA Kali single and double stick. The twelve angles, sumbrada, flow drills, full contact principles, and stick to empty hand. Full contact training available for experienced practitioners.
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Knife Grappling — edged weapons and ground fighting: knife defense from guard, knife survival from mount, ground RAT with a weapon in play, and KinaMutai as the grappling solution to armed ground fighting.
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Street Trapping — JKD trapping range: Wing Chun chi sao, Kali hubud-lubud, pak sao, lop sao, and trapping integrated into the street fighting game.
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Gun Grappling — close-range firearm defense at grappling distance: line of fire, frame control, disarm entries, weapon retention, and ground fighting with firearms defense.
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Street Grappling — the IGFS curriculum as a standalone seminar: stand-up to ground transitions, KinaMutai, weapons-aware ground survival, Dumog clinch entries, and Silat sweeps.
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CCS MMA HIIT Fit — combat conditioning using martial arts training methodology as a fitness framework. Pad work, bag work, functional movement from JKD, Kali, and Muay Thai. Available for gyms, corporate wellness, and community organizations.
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Fight Choreography Training — for stunt performers, action actors, filmmakers, and production companies. Complete fight choreography methodology rooted in functional JKD, Kali, Silat, Krav Maga, and grappling. Previz, sequence design, actor coaching, stunt coordination, on-camera weapons work. See the CCS BTS Film Work YouTube playlist for documentation.
RECOMMENDED TRAINING EQUIPMENT
The following equipment is recommended for CCS Phase Method students. You do not need all of it before your first class — your instructor will guide you on priority purchases as you progress through the levels.
Striking:
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Boxing Gloves or MMA Gloves (recommended for sparring)
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Focus Mitts (for partner drilling)
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MMA / Hockey Shin Pads
Kali / Weapons:
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2 Kali Sticks — Rattan, 28 inches (standard single stick length)
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2 Training Knives — Rubber or Aluminum
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Hockey Gloves or Lacrosse Gloves (for full contact stick sparring — Phase 3 and above)
Optional:
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Mouthguard
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Groin Protection
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Headgear (required for RAT and full contact drilling with body armor)
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Body Armor / Crash Helmet (required for IPTP and Enigma RAT drilling)
Most equipment is available through online retailers. Ask Sifu Jeramiah for current recommendations on specific brands and sources at your first class.
THE INSTRUCTOR: SIFU JERAMIAH GIEHL
Founder and Head Instructor, Cali Combat Systems (2017-Present). Teaching martial arts since 1996 — 30+ years on the mat, 30 years of teaching. Ten years of professional security and bouncing. Full contact stick fighter. Actor, fight choreographer, and stunt coordinator (IMDb: nm14518651). Assistant instructor under Sifu Paul Vunak (2018-2022).
Primary Certifications:
PFS/DOM Full Instructor — Contemporary JKD, FMA, RAT, Military Edged Weapons (Sifu Paul Vunak) | Level 1 Civilian Instructor & LECT — Israeli Krav Maga (Master Alain Cohen, Wingate Institute) | Level 1 Instructor — ATA/TAC Krav Maga (Grand Master Daniel Longoria) | Warrior Krav Maga (Master Anthony Landgren) | Associate Instructor — JFJKDGA (Sifu John Doty / Sifu Larry Hartsell lineage) | 1st Dan Black Belt — Shorinji Ryu JuJitsu and Combat JuJitsu (Professor David Tice / Gene LeBell / Gokor Chivichyan lineage) | Level 5 Professional Grappler (Professor David Tice) | Blue Belt — BJJ (Professor Barry Jenkins Sr. / Carlson Gracie lineage) | Single Stick, Double Stick, Knife Defense, Knife Offense — DFA Kali-KunTao (Guro David Seiwert) | Active Shooter Defense (DHS-EMI, FEMA, CERT Academy 39 SDFD) | Senior 2nd Level Coach — Jun Fan Gung Fu / Chinatown JKD (Sifu Tim Tackett)
Key Training Lineage:
Guro Dan Inosanto | Sifu Paul Vunak | Tuhon Apolo Ladra | Guro David Seiwert | Sifu Tim Tackett | Sifu John Doty | Professor David Tice | Master Alain Cohen | Grand Master Daniel Longoria | Master Anthony Landgren | Darren Levine | Grand Master Pat Burleson
GET IN SHAPE, GO HOME SAFE
The intro class is $15. That is the only barrier between you and authentic JKD, Kali-Silat, Israeli Krav Maga, and submission grappling — taught by a direct lineage instructor with 30+ years on the mat, 30 years of teaching, and ten years on the door.
Contact Sifu Jeramiah Giehl:
Text: 760-575-4389
Book your intro class today.
"Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful. Reject what is useless. Add what is specifically your own." — Bruce Lee
"There isn't any difference between Jeet Kune Do, Original Jeet Kune Do, and Jeet Kune Do Concepts. Whatever you want to call it, it's the same." — Guro Dan Inosanto
"Give me two days, and I can turn you into a fully competent street fighter with the same system taught to the Navy SEALs." — Sifu Paul Vunak
Cali Combat Systems is a Progressive Fighting Systems affiliate school and an Official Chinatown JKD Training Group under the lineage of Sifu Tim Tackett. Sifu Jeramiah Giehl is a Progressive Fighting Systems / Descendant of the Masters Full Instructor certified under Sifu Paul Vunak, an Associate Instructor in the Jun Fan JKD Grappling Association under Sifu John Doty (Bruce Lee → Larry Hartsell → John Doty), a certified Israeli Krav Maga Instructor under Master Alain Cohen of the Wingate Institute, and certified in DFA Kali-KunTao under Guro David Seiwert.