View Full Version : Otis Berry, former SF????
Hey to all you 3rd Groupers....can anyone ID, Otis Berry as a former 3rd Grp guy, let alone SF? Thanks, CSM-H
PS: see http://www.pureperformancemac.com/martial-arts-instructor/otis-berry
I didn't see where it mentioned 3rd Grp specifically, but it was odd that it also didn't mention the tab in his awards list.
blue02hd
06-28-2010, 19:22
If he is citing his hard earned and coveted Army Combatives Level 1 Certificate, I am pretty sure he would claim the Q, and any other school associated with SWC.
Then again I didn't see where he claims to be SF, only that he served with SF. Why do you think he is 3rd?
Leozinho
06-28-2010, 19:52
On his bio page at his previous gym, he listed 3rd. He's not SF - no need to try to disprove that. He uses the familiar "in Special Forces" puffery that so many support/attached personnel do to give laymen the idea they have tabs.
I think it was decided he must have been a rigger, if his old bio is to be believed. He listed a lot of HALO jumps, which if true, I'm sure some one here will remember him.
Here's a post I made at Lightfigher when someone asked about his gym in 2009:
http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/477102269/m/587107023?r=793106414#793106414 (I think you have to register to read the thread, so I pasted my post below.)
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Almost hate to bring this into this thread, but you need to know that your Krav Maga instructor Otis Berry is, at worst, a SF poser or, at best, has allowed a purposefully misleading bio to go unchanged.
http://www.jeffgordonmma.com/j...onmma/page.asp?ID=33
From the above webpage:
"Otis Berry
Chief Krav Maga Instructor
Otis Berry brings an impressive military background to Gordon's MMA. He served for six years in the Third Special Forces Group of the United States Army, where he made over 200, static line parachute jumps and HALO (high-altitude-low-opening) jumps. He is a graduate of the Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the Army Sniper School at Fort Lewis, Washington. Otis acquired Akido expertise while in the Special Forces and subsequently attained a black belt in Chung Do Kwan. He also has extensive experience in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Chi Na. Otis grew up in Springfield, Virginia, where he was state champion in the 400 meter and 800 meter track & field events. Otis is one of only 30 Instructors in the United States with a Black Belt in Krav Maga. He has also been Certified in the US Army Level 2 Combative Program. He has taught combative programs at such military bases as Ft. Hood and other special operational bases. Otis is also a certified law enforcement Instructor and has lead many special programs for law enforcement and security personnel."
Yeah, someone might argue that he left some wiggle room by saying "served for six years in the Third Special Forces" and "acquired Akido (sic) experience while in the Special Forces." But I don't buy it. If I say I was in SF I'm telling you I was SF, not a rigger that packed chutes. And he wrote that bio to give people the impression that he was something he isn't.
Socnet has already covered it. http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=85123
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Leoinho, Thanks for putting the old "bio" up.....that was pretty is much where I got my info....and then I see he is at a new location, once again claiming former special forces....CSM-H
PS: in his listed awards he doesn't even list rigger wings.....hummmm
On his bio page at his previous gym, he listed 3rd. He's not SF - no need to try to disprove that. He uses the familiar "in Special Forces" puffery that so many support/attached personnel do to give laymen the idea they have tabs.
I think it was decided he must have been a rigger, if his old bio is to be believed. He listed a lot of HALO jumps, which if true, I'm sure some one here will remember him.
Here's a post I made at Lightfigher when someone asked about his gym in 2009:
http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/477102269/m/587107023?r=793106414#793106414 (I think you have to register to read the thread, so I pasted my post below.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almost hate to bring this into this thread, but you need to know that your Krav Maga instructor Otis Berry is, at worst, a SF poser or, at best, has allowed a purposefully misleading bio to go unchanged.
http://www.jeffgordonmma.com/j...onmma/page.asp?ID=33
From the above webpage:
"Otis Berry
Chief Krav Maga Instructor
Otis Berry brings an impressive military background to Gordon's MMA. He served for six years in the Third Special Forces Group of the United States Army, where he made over 200, static line parachute jumps and HALO (high-altitude-low-opening) jumps. He is a graduate of the Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the Army Sniper School at Fort Lewis, Washington. Otis acquired Akido expertise while in the Special Forces and subsequently attained a black belt in Chung Do Kwan. He also has extensive experience in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Chi Na. Otis grew up in Springfield, Virginia, where he was state champion in the 400 meter and 800 meter track & field events. Otis is one of only 30 Instructors in the United States with a Black Belt in Krav Maga. He has also been Certified in the US Army Level 2 Combative Program. He has taught combative programs at such military bases as Ft. Hood and other special operational bases. Otis is also a certified law enforcement Instructor and has lead many special programs for law enforcement and security personnel."
Yeah, someone might argue that he left some wiggle room by saying "served for six years in the Third Special Forces" and "acquired Akido (sic) experience while in the Special Forces." But I don't buy it. If I say I was in SF I'm telling you I was SF, not a rigger that packed chutes. And he wrote that bio to give people the impression that he was something he isn't.
Socnet has already covered it. http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=85123
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Two things that jumped out at me.
"The US Army Sniper School" is at Benning not Lewis. Though I know 1st Grp runs a course, it is not "The School".
Since when would Fort Hood be a "special operational base"???
200 jumps in 3rd Group? Had to be a rigger cause I've been in 3rd more than a day and I don't have near that many. Why wouldn't he list Jumpmaster? Surely he didn't do that many jumps and not go to the JM course.
Looks like a poser, smells like a poser, acts like a poser=POSER!
Green Light
06-29-2010, 11:39
Since when would Fort Hood be a "special operational base"???
Didn't 5th Gp have a B team and a few A teams there for desert ops back in the 80s?
The Reaper
06-29-2010, 11:43
Didn't 5th Gp have a B team and a few A teams there for desert ops back in the 80s?
Ft Bliss with B500, IIRC.
TR
Green Light
06-29-2010, 12:21
Ft Bliss with B500, IIRC.
TR
That's right! I'd forgotten about the odd designation.
Ft Bliss with B500, IIRC.
TR
yup...."Toneys Tigers"...:p:p:D
took all the rangers out of the companies, he had his "pick of the litter"
Green Light
06-29-2010, 12:42
I knew it was some sort of Texas garden spot. :D
Methinks this guy has padded his resume by omission. You can make yourself looks like a superman by leaving out a couple of details. It's not unheard of in the martial arts world.
I saw one with an old acquaintance of mine online. He's a real SF guy and a real bad dude. But his online bio makes him look like superman on steroids. Still no excuse.
Was actually in Fort Huachuca, AZ then we moved to Ft Biss in 83/84.
Stay safe.
Dozer523
06-29-2010, 23:31
Was actually in Fort Huachuca, AZ then we moved to Ft Biss in 83/84.
Stay safe. It was sure fun to go out for a visit. We jumped in and I think that was the first time I ever did an in-flight rig. We got to shoot at all the ranges, use the RedEye simulator dome, and drive the US-Mex border in the DMVS (that was serious fun, especially when it turned into an "invasion":D note to B Det -- bring more then one map.). We also contracted a local climbing guide who took us out to Waco Tanks to do some excellent technical climbing. Oh and the Texas girls can teach anyone how to two-step.
ZonieDiver
06-30-2010, 11:47
and the Texas girls can teach anyone how to two-step.
In my case, and many others I knew, you'd have to add the qualifier, "IF you'd consumed enough beer" - preferably 'Lone Star' longnecks! :D
zuluzerosix
07-01-2010, 11:18
Not that this matters, Chung Do Kwan is one of the original 9 arts that became Tae Kwon Do. It was founded in the early 1940's
The art itself mirrors Shotokan Karate, as it;s founder was also a black belt in that art.
Nobody really teaches it anymore. I am curious who promoted him to Black belt in CDK. CDK is Taekwondo. Specifically it the breed taught by the ATA. I know you all have probably seen the ATA (American Tae Kwon Do Academy) schools on every street corner. They are THE McDojo of McDojo's.
I have a feeling it is an ATA blackbelt.
The only person really teaching this hard style the way it was bac k in the
1940's is located in Texas.
If any of you fellas from Texas remember names like Allen Steen, Pat Burleson, David Moon you will know the system I am taking about.
Hah I cant believe this. I was at jeff gordons gym for about 2 years and he taught Maui Thai, and krav maga. I had heard or read that he was SF and even a SOF hand to hand combat instructor, i never did hear him say though he was or wasnt. Id like to know the fact before i think of him any less. But damn that would be disappointing to know he would lie about that.