Gilliam's Kenpo Karate-Hapkido

08/28/2026

08/07/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

PROFESSOR GILLIAM’s MISC. KARATE & MARTIAL INSTRUCTORS:

INTERNATIONAL KENPO KARATE ASSOCIATION (I.K.K.A.)

Professor Gary Gilliam is an Associate Member of the original International Kenpo Karate Association (I.K.K.A.), founded by Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker Sr.

Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist is recognized through this organization as a form of Kenpo Karate, maintaining its foundation in the Ed Parker American Kenpo Karate tradition while preserving its own distinctive approach and methodology.

INTERNATIONAL KENPO KARATE INSTITUTE (I.K.K.I.)

Professor Gary Gilliam is recognized through Grandmaster Steven L. Spry, a direct student of Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker Sr., as a member of Spry's International Kenpo Karate Institute (I.K.K.I.).

Professor Gilliam is listed within the United States section of the I.K.K.I., further establishing Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist within the broader Ed Parker American Kenpo Karate lineage and tradition.

OKINAWA-TE & POLYNESIAN LIMA LAMA

Professor Gary Gilliam is authorized through Grandmaster Steven L. Spry to teach concepts of Okinawa-Te and Polynesian Lima Lama derived through Spry's other principal instructor, Master Ted Tabora.

Professor Gilliam is authorized to incorporate and teach concepts from these traditions within his Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist Kenpo Karate system. These methods are integrated as part of his Kenpo Karate rather than taught or represented as separate martial arts systems.

SHIN RYU KAI — JAPANESE KARATE

Professor Gary Gilliam holds the rank of 1st Dan in Shin Ryu Kai Japanese Karate under Shihan Johnny Piro and is authorized by Shihan Piro to teach the Shin Ryu Kai Karate system.

Shihan Johnny Piro's martial arts background includes direct training under Joko Ninomiya and Shigeru Oyama, both renowned figures in the Kyokushin Karate tradition, as well as training under Sensei Barry Bernstein in Kenpo Karate and Kwanjngnim Kim in Massachusetts.

Shin Ryu Kai is the primary source of the Japanese Karate component within Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist. Its principles, kihon, striking mechanics, movement, and traditional Karate methodology have been integrated into Kiai Karate's broader Ed Parker Kenpo Karate framework.

APPALACHIAN HAPKIDO INSTITUTE — KOREAN & SOUTHEAST ASIAN WEAPONS

Kwanjangnim Mitch Jenkins is a 6th Dan Hapkido instructor and Head Instructor of the Appalachian Hapkido Institute (AHI). He holds credentials in Korean martial arts, Filipino martial arts, Kali-Silat, knife and stick, combatives.

AHI Stick and Knife combatives Hock Hochheim's Scientific Fighting Congress, Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, Sayoc Kali, and Black Tiger Kali under Tuhon Harold Evans,recognized through several Hapkido and Kali organizations. His Weapons art is a conglomerate of these. He is recognized under Hock Hoccheim.

Professor Gilliam is a Black Belt instructor in AHI Knife & Stick Combatives-he teaches knife, stick, staff, sai, nunchaku and sword under this banner.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTORS & TRAINING PARTNERS

In addition to his principal Kenpo Karate and Korean martial arts lineages, Professor Gary Gilliam has trained with numerous instructors, training partners, schools, and military personnel whose methods contributed supplemental concepts to his martial development and ultimately to Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist.

Japanese & Okinawan Karate

Kiai Karate formally incorporates principles from Wado-Kai, Kyokushin, Shotokan, and Okinawan Karate traditions including Okinawa-Te, Shuri, Shorin, and Uechi influences..

These Japanese-Okinawan influences contribute significantly to the kihon, body mechanics, power generation, footwork, and striking structure of Kiai Karate.

Chinese & Polynesian Influences

Kiai Karate incorporates Chinese internal martial principles through Grandmaster Robert Hermansen, as well as Polynesian Lima Lama concepts through the Ted Tabura lineage and Master Steven L. Spry.

These influences were incorporated with the permission of Master Gary L. Cox.

These arts are organic influences within the Kenpo framework and are not taught as separate systems within Kiai Karate.

Filipino Martial Arts — Kali, Escrima & Silat

Filipino martial principles include stick, blade, empty-hand, and weapons concepts, including the Angel Cabales lineage through Professor Carlos Del Valle, along with Filipino martial concepts transmitted through Master Gary L. Cox.

Master Cox himself received knife and empty-hand combat training through the 19th Special Forces Group and trained in Filipino Kali under Master Tino.

Professor Gilliam also holds Kali instructor credentials.

These Filipino methods are integrated organically into the Kenpo system rather than treated as a separate curriculum.

Thai Martial Arts

Thai martial influences include elbows, knees, leg kicks, close-range striking, and related fighting concepts.

Kiai Karate formally incorporates concepts from the Sakkasem Kantahawang lineage through James Foster, as well as Thai martial concepts transmitted through Master Steven Bigelow.

Stan Gilliam (1978–88) — Professor Gilliam's father and earliest martial influence, providing instruction and exposure in karate, boxing, kung fu, military combatives, and clinch fighting.

Sensei Dennis Laycock (1980–82) — Early instructor in Kenpo Karate, Shotokan Karate, and Okinawan Kobudo, contributing to Gilliam's early foundation in traditional Karate and Kenpo. Also incorporated Korean Karate.

Elkins Shotokan Karate Dojo (1989–90) — Training in Oshima-line Shotokan Karate and Karate-Kobudo, reinforcing traditional Japanese Karate fundamentals.

Sempai Darin Gailey (1991–93) — Training in Shuri-Te and Okinawan Karate, providing an important Okinawan component to Gilliam's developing Karate methodology.

Sensei Barry H. Bernstein (1991–92) — Instructor in Tracy Kenpo Karate and kickboxing, contributing additional Kenpo striking and fighting concepts.

Sensei George Krob (1993) — Training in Uechi-Ryu Karate, adding exposure to Okinawan close-range striking, conditioning, and traditional Karate methodology.

Staff Sergeant Putnam (1993) — Provided instruction in military-oriented Karate and knife methods, contributing practical combative concepts.

Sensei Wes Fukushima (1994–96) — Training in traditional Karate, Judo and Kendo, contributing Japanese martial principles and weapons methodology.

Sihing Matt Blake (1995–96) — Training in Xingyi Chuan and Tui Na, providing exposure to Chinese internal martial principles, body mechanics, and close-range methods.

Japanese College Training Partners (1995–96) — Regular training and exchange involving practitioners of Kyokushin, Shotokan, and Kendo, broadening Gilliam's practical exposure to Japanese martial arts.

Sifu Craig Farmer (1996–97) — Training in Northern Fist Kung Fu, contributing Chinese striking, movement, and fighting concepts.

Instructor George Starks (1999–2000) — Additional instruction and training in Kenpo Karate.

Shihan Shojiro Koyama (2000) — Training in JKA Shotokan Karate, further strengthening Gilliam's exposure to traditional Japanese kihon, movement, and striking mechanics.

Si Gung Bill Smith (2003–04) — Training in Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Hsing-I, and Kenpo, providing another important bridge between Chinese martial methods and Kenpo Karate.

Eddie “Flash” Newman (2004) — Training in Kenpo Karate and boxing, emphasizing practical striking and fighting application.

Shihan Amadou Niang (2004) — Additional training in JKA Shotokan Karate and traditional Japanese Karate methodology.

Master Roger Grimes (2022–present) — Continuing training and association in Tracy Karate, maintaining Professor Gilliam's connection with another major branch of American Kenpo/Kenpo Karate.

Sensei Charles Garrett (2022–24) — Training in Soken Shorin-Ryu, adding further Okinawan Karate experience.

Sensei Stack Muhammad (2025–present) — Continuing training in Shotokan Karate, reinforcing traditional Japanese Karate fundamentals.

Sigung Timothy J. Greene (2021–present) — Training in Hung Fist, Crane Fist, and Okinawan Karate, providing continuing study of both Chinese and Okinawan martial concepts.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN & COMBAT ARTS

West Virginia Former Navy SEAL (1989–90) — Supplemental training in Muay Thai, Filipino Kali, and military knife methods, providing early exposure to Southeast Asian striking and blade concepts.

Missouri Muay Thai Training Partner named Russ (1993) — Training in Thai boxing, particularly low kicks, knees, and elbows.

Early 1960s U.S. Air Commando Veteran (1993) — Training in Thai and military combatives, Commando H2H methods, and knife concepts.

Vunak-Line JKD/Kali Instructor (1998–99) — Training in Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and Wing Chun, contributing additional close-range and weapons concepts.

G**o Jared Wihongi (2003–04) — Training in Pekiti-Tirsia Kali-Silat, expanding Gilliam's study of Filipino blade, weapon, and empty-hand methods.

Pendekar Steve Gartin (2021–22) — Training in Kuntao-Silat, including empty-hand and weapons methodology.

Professor James Foster (2004–present) — Continuing Muay Thai influence through the Sakkasem Kantahawang lineage, contributing Thai striking concepts to Gilliam's martial development.

Professor Carlos Del Valle (2020–present) — Training in Cabales Serrada Escrima and USMC knife methods, providing an important source of Filipino weapons and practical blade concepts.

Miscellaneous Distance Study — Supplemental study of Kali, Kuntao-Silat, and Indonesian Silat, used to broaden Professor Gilliam's understanding of Southeast Asian martial principles.

GRAPPLING & GROUND-FIGHTING INFLUENCES

High School Wrestling Coaches — Three seasons of scholastic wrestling, establishing a foundation in stand-up grappling, takedowns, positional control, and ground fundamentals.

Sensei David Suliafu (2009–11) — Training in BJJ/Muay Thai/MMA and bihonte weaponry, contributing Polynesian and combat-sport influences.

Master Grant R. Gilliam (1994–96) — Training in Combat Judo, Nihon Ju-Jitsu, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, contributing substantially to Gilliam's grappling and ground-fighting foundation.

Sgt. Chris McGhee (1997–98) — Training incorporating championship-level wrestling and USMC LINE combatives, emphasizing practical grappling and military application.

Sgt. Andrew Bobo (1997–98) — Training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Aikido, contributing additional groundwork, submissions, control, and joint-manipulation concepts.

Miscellaneous Judo-Jujitsu Schools (1998–99) — Short-term cross-training in Judo and Jujitsu, supplementing Gilliam's existing grappling experience.

U.S. Army Unit Combatives (2000–02) — Military training in ground fighting and practical grappling, reinforcing the use of grappling within an operational combatives environment.

Collectively, these instructors and training experiences represent supplemental roots rather than Professor Gilliam's primary lineage. Their methods contributed concepts in Karate, Kung Fu, Southeast Asian martial arts, weapons, boxing, military combatives, wrestling, Judo/Jujitsu, and ground fighting that helped shape Professor Gilliam's overall martial methodology and the broader technical vocabulary of Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist.

08/04/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

We are lower than the dust.

07/30/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

Mr Gilliam holds advanced black belts and certifications in Ed Parker American Karate (KIAI Karate), Military-Combat Taekwondo, and Sungmookwan Hapkido. His foundation is steeped in Kenpo Karate, ITF Chang Hun Taekwondo & Japanese-Okinawa influenced Karate, blended into his teacher's integrated systems:

Here is his chronological ranks & certification:

Professor-Sabumnim Gary R. Gilliam began his martial arts journey in 1978, training rigorously in American Karate, Okinawan and Japanese Karate, Korean Taekwondo, and Hapkido from a young age. His over 4.5 decades of martial education has also incorporated Muay Thai, Filipino Kali, military hand to hand combat, Bjj, wrestling & weapons training, giving him a deeply interdisciplinary foundation.

Chronological Martial Arts Rank Timeline – Gary R. Gilliam

1. 1994-05-17: Striking Instructor Certification – ECS System

(CQC, TKD, Hwarangdo, Combat Karate , Thai, Kali, grappling)– under Master Instructor Steve Bigelow-Federal CQC instructor & Grant Gilliam-his top student.

By 1994, at age 26, he had already accumulated 12 years of hard-earned experience in striking, grappling & weapons systems — forged through dojo training, military veterans & live-pressure instruction.

2. 2000-09-01: Black Belt Shin Ryu Kai (Hybrid of Kyokushin, Kenpo, TKD & Thai)

Master Johnny Piro

3. 2004-10-12: 2nd Dan Kenpo Karate

Master Gary Cox / Kiai Kenpo Association

4. 2005-07-05: 3rd Dan Kenpo Karate

Master Robert Hermansen & Gary Cox

5. 2008-05-30: 2nd Dan Hapkido
(Korea Ki Do Association – Dae Han Ki Do Hae)

Master An Deajeon, South Korea

6. 2009-01-01: Self-Defense Instructor Hapkido/TKD
(Kim’s Academy, Utah)

Master Sabumnim Choi In Hyuk

7. 2010-06-06: 4th Dan Kenpo Karate

Master Gary Cox

8. 2014-12-17: 5th Dan Kiai Kenpo Karate

Masters Gary Cox & Robert Hermansen

9.2014-12-20: 5th Dan Kiai Combat Kenpo

Masters Gary Cox & Robert Hermansen

10. 2018-01-10: 1st Dan Taekwondo
(North American Taekwondo Association)

2018-01-10: 1st Dan Taekwondo
(Korean Pro Martial Arts Institute)

Master Eric Laino

11. 2019-05-12: 2nd Dan Taekwondo
(Korean Pro Martial Arts Institute)-

2019-05-12: 2nd Dan Taekwondo
(North American Taekwondo Association)

Master Eric Laino

12. 2021-01-16: 3rd Dan Chontu Taekwondo

Masters Paul Holley & Eric Laino

13. 2021-12-15: 6th Dan Kiai Karate / Professor of the Arts

Masters Gary Cox & Robert Hermansen

14. 2023-09-10: 4th Dan Chontu Taekwondo

Master Paul Holley

15. 2024-02-16: 5th Dan Ayotte Combat Karate

Master Brian Ayotte

16. 2025-04-03: 4th Dan Chang Hun Taekwondo-ITF HQ Confirmation (awarded 2023-09-03: )

CTA/WMKF – Master Derman B. Hodge

17. 2025-04-14: Black Belt Instructor– AHI Stick & Knife Combatives (Weapons sub-system training)

Master Mitch Jenkins

18. 5th Dan Hapkido & 2nd Dan Changmookwan Taekwondo (confirmed but awaiting certificates)

Master Frank Clay

Further training:

In addition to these ranks he also has training with Kim Mun Ok’s Warrior Taekwondo-Hapkido program in Korea as a soldier. He also has supplemental training in Karate, Kungfu, Thai & BJJ with George Krob, Master Cho. Larry Speake, Shojiro Koyama, Eddie Newman, Dave Suliafu, Dennis Laycock, Wes Fukushima, Shane Myler, Eddie Craig, Shawn Dormachev, Matt Blake, William Smith, Steve Gartin, Jared Wihongi, Roger Grimes, Kevin Pereria, Stack Muhammad, Amadou Niyang, Charles Garrett, James Foster, Carlos De Valle & others.

Gilliam is also a recognized direct student under Grandmaster Steve Spry, with documented affiliation to the International Kenpo Karate Institute (IKKI).

He also has associate membership in the International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA).

His core Karate system (KIAI KARATE: Integrated Fist) is based on the Ed Parker tradition. It is passed through Tom Garriga to Robert Hermansen to Gary Cox to Gary Gilliam.

In addition to martial discipline, Gilliam has undergraduate and graduate education in philosophy, theology, and social sciences—infusing his teachings with both ethical insight and intellectual depth.

He also had the privilege to serve 4 years overseas in the Us Army as a forward observer. He trained with various military personnel in h2h. He is also an LDS Return Missionary-served in the Appalachias..

NOTE: Due to personal reasons- Mr. Gilliam is no longer affiliated with Masters Laino and Holley. Still friendly.

07/29/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

SABUMNIM GARY R. GILLIAM’S KOREAN MARTIAL-ARTS LINEAGE

Sabumnim Gary R. Gilliam’s Korean martial-arts foundation was developed through decades of direct training in Taekwondo, Hapkido and Musool—not through a single school or late-career affiliation.

The native Korean core of his lineage runs through Kwanjangnim An of the Korea Kido Association in Daejeon, South Korea, under whom Gilliam earned a 2nd Dan in Hapkido; Sabumnim Choi In Hyuk of Kim’s Academy, who awarded him a Hapkido instructor certificate.

He includes Sabumnim Cho of Washington State (Near Ft. Lewis) and Kwanjangnim Kim Mun Ok, whose combat-oriented Warrior Taekwondo-Hapkido program Gilliam studied for 6 months during his Army service at Camp Casey. His development was also shaped by Korean soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division where he trained in military versions of Korean Martial Arts for 2 years from 2000-2002.

The American branches of this lineage include Sabumnim Larry Speake in Hapkido; Kwanjangnim Shane Myler in Olympic Taekwondo and Korean weapons; Sabumnim Shawn Dormachev in Taekwondo and Gumdo; Kyosanim Eddie Craig in traditional Taekwondo-Hapkido; Kyosanim Ben Lefevre in ITF Taekwondo; and Sabumnim Steve Bigelow in Hwarangdo-influenced Korean striking and weaponry through the Eclectic Combat System.

He also trained in Western Boxing and Korean based h2h from 1996-1998 in Europe where he served as a forward observer.

Gilliam spent three years in South Korea—two as an Army forward observer and one teaching English and training in Daejeon—and accumulated approximately 4½ years of training with native Korean masters. This included old-school and military Taekwondo, traditional and combat Hapkido, Korean sword and Musool, joint locks, “ striking, strong foundational basics and practical weaponry.

His credentialing line continues through Kwanjangnim Frank Clay, under whom his ranks include 5th Dan Hapkido through the World Martial Arts Hapkido Federation and 2nd Dan Changmookwan Taekwondo; Kwanjangnim Derman Hodge, through whom he holds 4th Dan Combat Taekwondo in the Changhun Taekwondo Association; and his previously earned 5th Dan Hapkido and 4th Dan Chontu Taekwondo ranks through Kwanjangnims Paul Holley and Eric Laino, with whom he is no longer affiliated.

Through Kwanjangnim Hodge his Korean lineage traces back to Hee il Cho and James Benko.

Taken together, Taekwondo-Hapkido-Musool is not a secondary influence within Gilliam’s Karate-Hapkido. It is one of the system’s principal ancestral lines: culturally Korean, technically traditional, militarily practical and rooted in identifiable instructors, organizations and years of direct training.

07/17/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist is a streamlined Karate system. Its technical foundation is Ed Parker American Karate combined with Japanese & Korean Karate. Muay Thai–Dirty Boxing strengthens its posture, striking, elbows, knees, close range fighting-physical application. Hapkido is taught along with it.

Although Professor-Sabumnim Gilliam has trained in numerous martial systems, the curriculum is not intended to be complicated. It reduces the syllabus into a comparatively small body of kata, sets, techniques, combinations, principles, and weapons that can be applied without unnecessary complexity.

A central aspect of our training is the development of practical hand techniques. Although Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist includes strong Korean kicking, it remains heavily focused on fast, direct, close-range hand combinations drawn from Kenpo Karate, Hapkido, Muay Thai–Dirty Boxing, and Chuan Fa

The system contains only eight kata, all short and functional. It retains most of the Kenpo combinations, but uses simple, stance work influenced by Muay Thai.

Kobujutsu, Mugisul (Korean weapons) and Kali–Silat are introduced from the beginning because weapon awareness, movement, timing, and empty-hand application are treated as foundational skills.

Chuan Fa is reserved principally for advanced practitioners. After second-degree black belt, students begin studying the more sophisticated internal-external concepts drawn from Pakua, Xingyi, and related Chinese arts. These concepts become increasingly important at third, fourth, and fifth-degree black-belt levels.

The system does not teach grappling or fi****ms. Professor Gilliam has approximately six years of grappling experience and enough functional understanding to give himself a fighting chance on the ground, but he does not consider that sufficient qualification to teach grappling. Students are strongly encouraged to study under a properly qualified instructor (BJJ, Wrestling et al). Fi****ms training is likewise outside the formal curriculum-get with a certified instructor.

The structure is essentially:

Beginning through black belt:
Streamlined American, Japanese & Korean Karate–Hapkido, simple Muay Thai-boxing, practical combinations, Kali–Silat and Kobujutsu

First–Second Dan:
Deeper application, integration, timing, weapons, Hapkido, and advanced Kenpo principles

Third–Fifth Dan:
Chuan Fa, Bagua/Pakua, Xingyi, advanced fluidity, internal-external mechanics, and higher conceptual understanding

Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist is not a collection of everything Gary Gilliam has studied. It is the simplified result of 44 years of study.

05/12/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

We took this quote from one of our favorite traditional karate pages: Uechi PangaiNoon. Thank you, Sensei, for this wonderful advice. Below is hism page- great Karateka and man,,,,

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585260208178

05/06/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

Gichin Funakoshi is our Patron Saint- Both Professor Gilliam and Master Gary Cox strived to live by his philosophies...

04/29/2026

🔷GILLIAM’s KENPO KARATE-HAPKIDO:

PROFESSOR GILLIAM’s LINEAGE IN ED PARKER AMERICAN KARATE:
We are a Kenpo Karate style (kata and philosophy).

The following lineage is provided for transparency and historical clarity. While lineage documents sources of instruction and authorization, effectiveness in karate depends on quality of practice, understanding of mechanics, and responsible teaching—not organizational affiliation alone.

KENPO KARATE-
Our PRIMARY Lineage is Ed Parker American Karate.

We at KIAI KARATE are not overly concerned with Lineage:

However-to some it is important. We are an ECLECTIC ED PARKER AMERICAN KARATE SYSTEM (we are very clear about that). So we have different lineages to various founders of different arts.

The PRIMARY lineal succession of our system is (top left down):

KENPO BACKGROUND IN HAWAII:

Original Kenpo Founders: The genesis of Kenpo were various Chinese-Okinawan & Japanese Martial Masters that made the self defense system from numerous eastern combat systems (Not Pictured).

This is our direct lineage to Kenpo Karate from Hawaii:

1. Ed Parker-PRIMARY GRANDMASTER in our lineage:
Founder of Ed Parker American Karate (10th Dan Founder of the Parker Karate system). Kiai Karate is primarily Parker Karate.
Was a direct student of Grandmasters William Chow, Adriano Emperado, Lau Bun, Tino Leifiti & Ark Y. Wong (among others). His Kenpo Karate (Karate, Kungfu, Kali, Lua hybrid) system was an eclectic amalgamation of his training with these various masters & others. Most famous of the Hawaiian Kenpo Karate masters.

Bestowed 9th Dan (Master of The Arts) in Parker Karate to Master Tom Garriga & was a Direct Teacher of Grandmaster Robert Hermansen.

A-Tom Garriga-1st Gen:
Founding Grandmaster of Wuji Chuan Fa & 9th Dan in Kenpo Karate directly under Grandmaster Ed Parker.

Was a direct Student of both Grandmaster Ed Parker & Master Ark Y. Wong of Southern Shaolin & other Chinese Masters. Taught Kiai Grandmaster Robert Hermansen both Parker Karate & Wuji Chuan Fa. He bestowed Wuji Chuan Fa Master Rank (9th Dan equivalent) to Master Robert Hermansen & 4th Dan (Instructor Rank) in Parker Karate to Master Gary Cox in the 1980s. Both Masters Hermansen & Cox trained with him separately.

B-Robert Hermansen-2nd Gen:
Kiai Kenpo (Parker Karate) Grandmaster: 10th Dan founder of KIAI KENPO KARATE ASSOCIATION. Direct Ed Parker & Tom Garriga student.

Was a Black Belt student directly under Ed Parker & was promoted to advanced Master's rank in Wuji Chuan Fa-(Chinese Kenpo: 9th Dan equivalent) under Tom Garriga (9th Dan in Kenpo Karate under Ed Parker & Founder of Wuji Chuan Fa-Ed Parker Karate with kungfu). He co-founded the Kiai Karate Association with Master Gary Cox. He was declared the 10th Dan System Founder. He promoted Master Gary Cox to 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th Dan over 25 years. Instructor Gilliam trained with Master Hermansen for 5 years, learning both Parker Karate & Chinese Kenpo.

Instructor Gilliam earned 3rd Dan in Parker Kenpo Karate & 5th Dan in Kiai Combat Kenpo under him. (Master Hermansen teaches an incredible blend of Parker Karate & Chinese Kenpo).

C-Gary Cox-3rd Gen:
Kiai Kenpo Karate (EPAKK)/Military Karate.

Kiai Kenpo Karate Association 9th Dan, Founder of KIAI KARATE (Eclectic Kenpo Karate, Japanese Karate, Green Beret Karate & Filipino Kali system). Direct Robert Hermansen & Tom Garriga Student. Promoted to 4th Dan by Tom Garriga in the 1980s & 9th Dan by Robert Hermansen in December 2021 after 25 years of training under him. Knew Ed Parker personally.

Promoted Instructor Gilliam to 2nd Dan, 4th Dan & 5th Dan in Kenpo Karate. He also promoted Instructor Gilliam to 5th & 6th Dan in Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist & allowed him to formally teach that syllabus (combative blended version of Ed Parker American Karate & Tracy Karate, traditional Korea-Okinawa-Japan Karate, Military Karate, Muay Thai-Knife & Filipino Kali).

*Gary Cox is Instructor Gilliam's True Master: he trained with Master Cox for 22 years: until his death in 2025. Both Master Cox & Instructor Gilliam had advanced ranks in other Systems. Kiai Karate is primarily Parker Karate but is a syncretic blend of other systems that both Master Cox & Instructor Gilliam trained in-therefore Kiai Karate is a Parker Karate system, but has strong components of other arts. Mr Gilliam was authorized to add Korean Karate & Muay Thai into the Kiai Karate syllabus-hence the name Integrated Fist.

D-Head Instructor Gilliam-4th Gen:
Kiai Karate 6th Dan & direct student of Masters Robert Hermansen & Gary Cox. Instructor Gilliam is trying to bring the spirit & philosophy of martial arts as manifested by the masters in his lineage.

NOTE: Both Robert Hermansen & Gary Cox trained extensively under Master of The Arts Tom Garriga (Ed Parker Disciple) in addition to Robert Hermansen's advanced training under Grandmaster Ed Parker. We are no longer affiliated with the great Master Tom Garriga-However, he is included here as part of our lineage. Master Garriga was a US Marine & trained in China under various Kung Fu masters in addition to Kenpo Karate Grandmaster Edmund Parker. He is the embodiment of our idea of American Military Martial Artist. We respect him greatly.
_______________________________

Kenpo as a term and as fist-method striking existed before Mitose in Hawaii-Japan. Hawaii already had judo/jujutsu and karate activity since the late 1800s. We are of that lineage.

Mitose’s major contribution was catalyzing the particular lineage that became Hawaiian/American Kenpo. We supplement our style with concepts from these arts:

There were 5 major influencers of Kenpo Karate in Hawaii (All were instructors at the school of James Mitose, All great Masters)-they are:

William K. S. Chow

Thomas Young

Edmund Howe

Arthur Keawe

Paul Yamaguchi

"William K.S. Chow is responsible for Americanizing the art form. He opened his own school in 1949 where Edmund K. Parker became his student.... Parker combined this method with other martial art techniques and opened the first commercial Karate studio in 1954" (https://thekarateblog.com/kenpo-karate/). Ed Parker had met him through Frank Chow, William's brother, who had taught Ed since age 16. William Chow called his art Kenpo Karate, it was a Karate & Kungfu (Hung Gar & other styles) hybrid. He is the genesis of our Kenpo Karate system.

THE 5 GENERATIONS OF PARKER'S KENPO KARATE:
Kenpo Style Generations of Transition to Ed Parker's American Kenpo:

1st Generation 1954-1961 (Original Kenpo-Kenpo Karate):
Instructor Gilliam likes certain aspects of this period best. The Kihon was "harder" & the Okinawa Karate influence was more prevalent.
This is the period the Tracy Karate lineage is from: Master Gary Cox had a lot of experience in the Tracy art before he became an American Kenpo Karate Adherent. He uses alot of these techniques as well.

2nd Generation 1961-1963 (Traditional Kenpo- Kenpo Karate with Forms added): Instructor Gilliam also admires this period as well.

3rd Generation 1963-1969 (Chinese Kenpo): Masters Garriga & Hermansen were influenced from this period.

4th Generation 1970-1981 (Ed Parker's Kenpo): Master Hermansen was Primarily from this timeframe.

5th Generation 1982-1990 (American Kenpo or Ed Parker Kenpo Karate-EPAKK): Master Cox's primary Period of technical influence.
____________________________

The system’s principles are aimed to produce a Kenpo Karate style that is:
- Holistic
- Simple
- Dynamic

-Additionally he has several years of formal crosstraining in Kungfu, Kali & Kuntao-Silat which is organic to Parker Kenpo Karate & integrated seemlessly into the Kenpo Karate curriculum of Kiai.

Our systems intentionally use a very small number of forms.
Kiai Karate has eight kata, derived from Ed Parker’s Long and Short forms and several combat-specific sets created by Master Gary Cox.

Forms are reference tools in my training, not the focus.
Application, pressure, and function come first.

IMPORTANT: we are our own organization that teaches our own modified version of Parker Karate. We are very clear we are an offshoot system due to our desire to teach our own syllabus. We have had several competitors excel at the Kenpo Internationals & respect all practitioners of all forms of Chow & Parker based Karate systems. We have always had a very positive relationship with the Parkers specifically & the Kenpo World in general. We also use techniques & conceptual ideas from Tracy Karate & respect their organization.

Our Kenpo is intentionally streamlined. We keep a smaller formal curriculum so we can pressure-test more, build timing, and get real competence—not memorize endless material. Our expression of Parker is closer to the earlier, harder, more direct era-we use Japanese/Okinawan/Korean karate basics as the foundation so the Kenpo works under stress. Chinese and Filipino influence is still there, but we focus on function over aesthetics.”

Kiai Karate: Integrated Fist is Ed Parker American Karate. We strive to make it a streamlined and practical Kenpo Karate self-defense system that honors Ed Parker's legacy incorporating elements from other martial arts traditions. - Note: Master Gary L. Cox received extensive training in Wado Kai Karate under Toshio Osaka for approximately seven years. He also received extensive seminar and personal instruction from Master Mike Stone, training approximately 1 month per year over a five-year period.

His additional martial training included knife and empty-hand combat training through the 19th Special Forces Group, as well as Filipino Kali instruction under Master Tino.

These influences were incorporated into KiAi Karate Integrated Fist, supplementing Cox’s extensive Kenpo Karate background and his training with Robert Hermanson, Tom Garriga, and other Kenpo Karate instructors. Master Hermansen also had extensive training in Neijia and Southern Kungfu, in addition to his Chinese Kenpo and Chuanfa instruction under Masters Ed Parker and Tom Garriga.