Master Johnson

Master Johnson, Sah Dan, began his training in martial arts under the direction
of Master William R. Strong, Chil Dan of Florence, AL. Master Strong is the
Chairman of the World Tang Soo Do Association Technical Advisory committee.
Master Johnson has trained in the World Tang Soo Do Association for more than
18 years, earning his 4th Degree rank in September 2005. Master Johnson tested
for his Master Instructor rank at the World Tang Soo Do Association Master's
Clinic, and was awarded his Master's Belt from Grand Master Shin at the Region 6
Championship September 9, 2006 in Murfreesboro, TN.

Below is an article Master Johnson wrote for the World Tang Soo Do website
after being presented his Sah Dan rank by Grandmaster Jae C. Shin.

I remembered going on a college trip to Mexico several years back and meeting the chaperon and his wife.
Someone had told me he was a Black Belt, but I also knew he was with the Geography Department at the
University of North Alabama. I called him and re-introduced myself and told him of my interests. As chance would
have it, he was giving a short self defense lesson at the university later that week and invited me to come. And as
the old cliché' goes that's were it all began. I joined North Alabama Tang Soo Do (or North Alabama YMCA Tang
Soo Do as it was known then), and began a long journey with Master Bill Strong.
After receiving my E Dan, I left the police department and began my career with the federal government in law
enforcement. Obviously, this meant a lot of moving and even more traveling. The road led me away from North
Alabama Tang Soo Do, but allowed me to travel to different parts of the country and different regions where I was
able to continue training with some other very talented martial artists. And then there were those days when I
was not around a WTSDA do jang, and had to persevere on my own. Training by myself or finding someone
locally who trained in some other style to work out with. While traveling there were many nights I spent kicking
pillows or couches in a hotel room. All the while, knowing that to become good at one thing, one must consistently
continue with that one thing , and one thing only. There were many opportunities while away to began training in
other styles but none really interested me as much as Tang Soo Do. Much like an old pair of jeans, Tang Soo Do
felt comfortable. I had learned so much, and came this far that I thought it would be unfair to myself to give it up
for something new. And of course, along the way I was always able to call Master Strong for advice, or to let him
know I was coming home for a visit and he would always make time to train.

Many miles have past along that road. And finally, five years ago, the road led to a transfer to Tupelo, Mississippi.
By this time, I was a Sam Dan, after having taken test in 1998 in Poplarville, Mississippi. Master Strong was on that
test panel as well. The transfer to Tupelo meant I was only 2 hours away from North Alabama Tang Soo Do and
Master Strong. It was then in October 2000 that I opened East Mississippi Tang Soo Do in my new hometown of
Amory, Mississippi. The classes began in the aerobics room of the hospital fitness center. Amory, a town of about
7500, never had a true, traditional martial arts program. There had been several styles in the past, mostly of
unknown nature or origin. Tang Soo Do took off like wildfire. In January of 2002, I moved to a new location rented
solely for Tang Soo Do. The people of Amory realized that Tang Soo Do was THE REAL THING. It was far
different than anything they had ever experienced. I had people who had trained in those "unknown styles" join
my classes; and after a few months most confessed that they never had training like this. And some had earned
black belts in those other styles!

On September 9, 2006 as I stood before Kwan Chang Nim while he presented me with my Master's belt and
certificate, I look back on this "road map" that has led me to a place that many have never seen . I thought about
those I had trained with and, for some unknown reason, possibly through no fault of their own, they were unable
to complete the journey . As Master Strong has always said, " Tang Soo Do is journey; a journey that has no
ending". As you pass one destination, your sights are already set on the next. How fortunate... No, how honored I
am that I have actually made it to this destination in my journey. And to all those who helped make this journey
possible, a simple thank you just doesn't seem to fit the bill. But it is what I humbly have to offer. As with most
journeys, it is very nice to arrive. And just for a brief moment, I will enjoy these surroundings, because I know the
journey is nowhere complete. As I remember saying early on , "I've come this far; why would I ever consider
turning back now?"