Founder Leslie L. Buck Jr.
Founder and Chief Instructor Tactical Arts Academy. Leslie started martial arts after 3 years of wrestling in high school. Once he found Filipino Kali and Indonesian Silat, Leslie jumped in head-first. He immediately began seeking out all the excellent teachers who have taught him over the years and traveling to Indonesia and the Philippines for opportunities to learn more. A lifelong learner and student, Leslie designs the programs and curriculums for the Tactical Arts Academy.
Instructor Credentials
Edged Weapons Tactics and Survival
Close Quarters Combat / Military Combatives
Defensive Tactics and Self Defense
Filipino Martial Arts (Mandala Tuhon 10th Hagdan, Pekiti Tirsia Kali)
Indonesian Martial Arts (Jagabaya Tiga in Pencak Silat Mande Muda)
Advanced Personal Protection Firearms Instructor (Tom Givens / Rangemaster)
Firearms Instructor (Certified NRA Pistol, Rifle, Home Firearm Safety, Personal Protection in the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home)
Texas Concealed Handgun License Instructor
Force on Force Simulated Firearms Instructor (KR Training)
CrossFit (Level 1 Trainer)
CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting Certified Instructor
CrossFit Gymnastics Certified Instructor
CrossFit Kettlebell Certified Instructor
CrossFit Mobility & Recovery Certified Instructor
Leadership
President Texas Kali Association
Vice President Pekiti Tirsia Grand Alliance
Director Texas Association of Pencak Silat
Advisor Suwanda Academy International
Faculty and Consultant for the Cultural Warfare and Defense Academy of the Philippines, Inc.
Deputy Minister for the Pekiti Tirsia Grand Alliance Council of Cultural Affairs, Inc.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
2013 - Instructor for Texas Municipal Police Association.
2012 - present - Instructor U.S. Army Counter Drug Joint Task Force.
2012 - present - Instructor for Polite Society Tactical Conference.
2010 - Edged Weapons instructor for Philippine National Police Search and Rescue teams in Bacolod City, Philippines.
2010 - present - Guest Instructor for the Texas Police Association
2006 - Guest Instructor for Travis County Corrections Complex.
2006 - Defensive Tactics Instructor for Texas State Guard with U.S. Army National Guard at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas.
2005 - Guest Instructor for Philippine Aviation Security Group (ASG).
2003 - present Guest instructor for Philippine National Police (SAF) Special Action Force and (CRG) Crisis Response Group antiterrorist task forces.
2002 - present Instructor for several training programs with both Philippine and United States Marines, including Joint U.S. – Philippine Exercises Balikatan, CARAT, MIX and instructor development programs and Force Recon training classes.
1997 - Stayed with cannibal Alefuru headhunter tribes in jungles of untamed Buru Island in northern Indonesia to study their fighting methods.
1997 - Special Guest of Tamu Ubun Djaka, King of Sumba Island in Eastern Indonesia. Viewed sacred ceremonies closed to outsiders.
1995 - present Instructor for numerous weapons survival seminars, programs and conferences at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Training Academy including local and county police, state troopers, FBI, SWAT, TABC officers, tactical police, border patrol and narcotics agents.
1995 - present - Teaching martial arts, defensive tactics and self-defense in United States, Canada, and Philippines.
1995 - One of first westerners to stay with mystic Badui tribe, which has been hidden from civilization for 700 years in the impenetrable mountains of West Java Indonesia.
1993 - present - Travel throughout Indonesia and the Philippines to train and research martial arts from their origin. Studied directly with source of each system.
CITATIONS
2011 - Honorary promotion to Lieutenant in Philippine National Police
2003 - Recognized by President of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo Macapagal for service by means of teaching close quarter and edged weapon tactics in joint U.S. and Philippine Military exercises.
2003 - Member of Kali Hall of Fame
2001 - Recognized by the secretary of Defense of the Philippines, Orlando Mercado, for being qualified Instructor the Filipino Martial Arts
PRESS
2005 - Interviewed on Bacolod Today television show by Commissioner of Philippine Games and Entertainment Board in regards to promoting the Filipino Martial Arts as a cultural and sports program.
2003 - Interviewed on Texas television channel News 8 as Athlete of the Week for service training the Military.
2003 - Featured in Texas All Stars column of Austin Fit Magazine for service teaching Law Enforcement and Military.
2001 - Featured on 2 local television news stations in Midland / Odessa, while assisting a 2-day edged weapons program for DPS and city police. The proceeds went to purchase school supplies for underprivileged kids.
2001 - Interviewed on several radio stations broadcast over the central Philippines in 1-2 hour long specials promoting the revival of Filipino Martial Arts.
2001 - Interviewed on national morning news show in the Philippines promoting Filipino Martial Arts.
2001 - Featured on Sports page of daily newspaper in Central Philippines for World Kali Festival and Tournament recognized by the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo, the Philippine Department of Tourism, Sports Commission, National Police and National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
1999 - Featured on national Indonesian television news with an interview and demonstration in conjunction with several specials aired on Indonesian martial arts.
