Kevin W. Putala is a husband, father, proud grandpa, traditional martial artist, Army Veteran, and a former Personal Trainer.
His martial arts journey began at age 11, reading every martial arts book he could get his hands on and practicing in his parents’ basement.
Kevin joined the U.S. Army Military Police prior to his senior year of high school and started basic training right after graduation. He would serve eight years as an investigator, Sergeant of the Guard, and squad leader.
Kevin’s first duty station was Camp Ames, South Korea, where his martial arts journey would officially begin.
It was here, in the small village of Chong Dong Ri, that he would find the late Master Yun Tak Bong and begin studying the art of Traditional Tang Soo Do.
Unlike schools today, Kevin would train 2-3 hours, 5 days a week, and twice on his days off from work. The training was old school, in a small dojang with no air conditioning in the sweltering summers and only a small wood-burning stove in the frigid winters.
Kevin would earn his 1st Dan from Master Yun (Dan# 26283) in 1985, through the Korean Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Association, headed by Grandmaster Hwang Kee.
He would spend the next 40 years passing on the art and legacy of his instructor, focusing on self-defense and personal development.
Over the years, Kevin would study other arts as well under amazing instructors, many of whom were only two or three generations from the founders of their art. Below is a chronological list of the arts Kevin has studied, with those he has earned a black belt rank marked with an asterisk.
- Traditional Tang Soo Do – 40 years **
- Tae Kwon Do – 2 years
- Shotokan Karate – 3 years
- Sin Moo Hapkido – 3 years
- 8 Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu – 1 year
- Tracy Kenpo – 1 year
- Suenaka Aikido – 5 years
- Yang Tai Chi – 1 year
- Chung Do Kwan TKD – 2 years**
- Combat Hapkido – 1 year
- Combat Hapkido Ground Fighting – 1 year (Apprentice Instructor)
- Kaneshi Kwan Hapkido – 2 years**
In 2023, at age 57, Kevin underwent two total knee replacements, bringing his martial arts training to an end. He is working on his first book while rebuilding his body, fitness, health, and future.
Kevin resides in Wesley Chapel, Florida, with his amazing wife Iris. When he’s not working or training, Kevin spends time with family, working on projects around the house, travelling, and relaxing on Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches.
