In August 1968, Sensei Francis
was introduced to Kakutsuru Shorin-Ryu Karate at Bitburg AB, West Germany. Upon returning
to Corona California in December 1970 he studied Judo, Jui-jitsu. Sensei Francis was again
sent to Germany to Wiesbaden AB. Sensei was later assigned to March AFB, California were
he met Sensei Ron Granville. This would be the time he began his Aikido training. Sensei
Francis studied Aikido and KI Development and then began to instruct Sensei Grandville's
children's class. On March 18th, 1982 he was promoted to the rank of 1st degree Black
Belt. In July 1982, Sensei Francis was assigned to Misawa AFB, Japan. While assigned there
he taught adults and children's Aikido to the Base personnel, dependents, and local
Japanese.Techniques and teaching methods were shared between he and the local Aikido
Instructor Sensei Koshitaka, and the ranking Master in Japan of the martial art of
Shorinji Kempo Karate. While in Japan Sensei Francis taught area defense and
parameter defense tactics to the Civil Engineering "PRIME BEEF" mobility teams.
In February, 1984 Sensei Francis was
promoted to 2nd Dan. Due to his Japanese cultural background he was volunteered to
represent civil engineering on the "Misawa AB Air Show" committee. He also
worked with the Japanese Air Defense Force and many other US Air Force counterparts for
three consecutive years.
Sensei was the assigned to Goodfellow AFB,
Texas in July, 1986. In October 1987 he was again promoted and received his 3rd Dan.
August 1990 Sensei Francis retired from the Air Force and settled in San Angelo, Texas. He
is currently 4th Dan with the title of Shihan-Dai ( Associate Professional Instructor) and
Senior Instructor of the Dojin Aikikai Southwestern Area.
Sensei Francis over the past many years of instructing Aikido
has instructed many self-defense programs to Civilian Law Enforcement Officers as well as
programs to Military Law Enforcement along with programs to Military Security Units.
Sensei Francis has also studied martial arts systems of Katutsuru Shorin-Ryu Karate, Judo
Kata, Jui-jitsu, and the Ed Parker Kempo System. Sensei Francis is the only Black Belt in
the San Angelo area with the background and certification to instruct Aikido at his level.
SENSEI ED FRANCIS