What's your motivation to excel in the RMA?

[Shane Smith]

Like a lot of you, I didn't find the Western European Martial Arts on purpose. Quite the opposite! You see, I had been training in the Asian MA for years and held an Instructors rank and responsibility there. I taught unarmed Asian stylists under my Master for years and I had just gotten started in Asian Sworsmanship when I saw an invite to train with some "European Longsword" group online. "What a joke! These guys have seen one too many Conan movies!" I thought to myself.

I made contact with the HACA group in VAB and showed up to teach them a lesson in humility. Well, first,to my surprise none of these guys looked crazy(Well, the SGL Joel Thompson was a giant of a man who looked just like the guy from 13th Warrior but he didn't seem crazy beyond that LOL!)...I was shocked! I had expected a bunch of teenagers dressed as Link or maybe wearing loin-cloths...you know...crazies!

Tothe contrary, they all seemed uncommonly articulate and took great effort to explain the texts and manuals to me. They were good people...too bad I was about to own them in sparring with my superior skill!

Well, by the end of the sparring, I had been thoroughly bested by everyone there. I was hooked!

The expertise that the HACA guys showed-even at that early time -was so impressive and overwhelming that I immediately developed a passion to develop the undeniably-effective martial skills of my own ancestors for myself. I saw an opportunity to be in on the ground floor of rediscovery in these arts and really found that to be just as attractive as learning to fight beyond all expectations with the longsword. I went to regional and International Events where I saw John, Jake Norwood and Tim Sheets in action and was blown away by those guys! I wanted to earn the skills they had for myself...

That's my motivation! What's yours?

[Sal Bertucci]

I think I started out with my fascination for fantasy. Knights in armor, all that jazz. As I got older I wanted to do more physical things, but there weren't any places to do Karate or anything like that where I grew up, and we didn't have a lot of money either. My dad taught fencing though, and so I picked that up, and did that off and on for years. I went to Utah to serve a mission for two years, and while I was there I met my first ARMA member, after they had done a demonstration during a parade. I thought the very idea was awesome. While I was there I worked with a couple guys, who showed my the basics, etc. When I came back to college, I heard that there was a local ARMA group here, but I had just missed them and they had graduated. So I went back to fencing for a few years. Now I've done the fencing thing for while. I didn't want to be as competitive though, so I came to WMA and I decided that there may not be an ARMA group now, but there will definitely be one when I leave here.

[Keith Culbertson]

My motivation to investigate ARMA came from Jaron Bernstein, who knew me from a monthly Cthulu RPG with old friends of mine and had seen me practicing no-nonsense all-in martial arts with one of the JKD clubs at Ohio State. So when he invited me to attend the 1.0 that April 2005, I did and met John, Aaron P., Francisco, Jeff Gentry, and several others. I had engaged in rough and tumble-type informal swordplay (sometimes sticks, sometimes boffers) with friends in the past and avoided the tournament style fighting of the SCA. In ARMA I saw a real blend of the scholarly and martial, which is especially attractive to me since my academic specialty in Medieval studies and manuscripts grew from a longstanding archaeo- historico- adventure career goal and I had always maintained a lifelong practice of martial and sport activities and hard work. ARMA was the best and most serious thing I had seen since some great work at festivals in Europe, so I was hooked and dove in with great expectations. I am happy to be a part of something that will keep growing for as long as we all keep at it, with so many interesting perspectives to critique and strengthen the craft as it does grow.

sincerely

[ChristineChurches]

My husband Jim has gotten me to try many things that I would never have thought of doing before we met, like rock climbing and ultra-lightweight backpacking. Usually it starts out with him doing a lot of research on the subject, then approaching me with a "Isn't this cool?" My first response is of course "No", then "How much is this going to cost?", and finally, "OK, you were right, this is cool. Lets go 20 more miles so I can take our picture at the top of that mountain...."

Before ARMA, I had never engaged in any martial activity, but I have always been interested in history, especially as it relates to my own heritage. Add to that the normal girl's affection for shiny things...

My first introduction to the ARMA was an open Longsword and Sword and Buckler Seminar, taught here in Las Vegas by Stew Feil. For a while after the class I couldn't tell you exactly what I learned - I was so overwhelmed by the information, and quite a bit frustrated that Jim was having an easier time digesting it than I was. After lots of practice and bruises, though, it became like all the other new things we'd tried - "OK, when can we freeplay again so I can see if I can work in this technique I found in Wallerstein...no I won't tell you which one..."

And that's what keeps me going with our art. Every day when I practice I still feel fascinated and overwhelmed by the amount of information emerging on RMA, except now I have the tools for connecting with my heritage, my husband, and myself.

Ain't it cool?

"So what are we going to have to leave behind to save enough weight to carry our wasters to the top of that mountain so I can get a picture of us while I try out this technique I just read about in Meyer...no I'm not going to tell you which one..."

[Brent Lambell]

I have always had a love for the sword. I tell a lot of people that while most young boys (and some girls perhaps) spend a lot of their childhood running around killing dragons, I never quite grew out of that romance. I had some friends that shared that with me, and through Dungeons & Dragons I kept some of that fantasy alive.

As I grew up, I realized I wanted more than a game but there didnt seem to be any organizations out there that offered me anything that seems appealing. I trained and fought with SCA guys but never joined. I made my own crappy wasters, I used shinai and anything else I could get my hands on. I contemplated eastern sword arts, but it just never seemed right. I bought a nice fighting quality katana, but returned it within a week or so to get a beautiful (and very functional) Saxon battle axe. Shes rusty and torn to dirt, but I still love her.

In junior college, I had an awesome history professor that shifted my major to history (from physical education) and it all fell into place. I read a lot of military history books and it was around this time I discovered Ewart Oakeshott's writings. I didnt realize the impact he would have on me later, but I loved what he had to write.

Then one day, about three years ago, I stumbled upon the ARMA website and instantly knew I was home. I was done with the role playing, done with the pageantry, done with the historical inaccuracies. It took some time to hook up with the study group, but I have been dedicated ever since. WMA has changed my life in a great many ways, I am very grateful to have found a martial art to improve my health - mental and physical - as well as a connection to my heritage that I thought had been lost for all time.

[Seth Halsell]

My motivation for excelling in RMA is my continuous quest for knowledge of all sorts including fighting arts. I have always loved studying the Medieval time period of all nations in that period but esspically Europe during that time period. My quest for knowledge about everything during that time period including how they use to fight keeps me motivated as well as the fact that this is the only thing keeping me in shape too. Also it is nice to learn and get a taste of the fighting arts that our ancestors once knew how to do so well.

[Jim Churches]

I luv ARMA cuz Aaron P. is so cool! Someday I'll get to have a wood sword for my very own. Then me 'n Aaron can fight like the real knights did.

[Jim Churches]

On a more serious note, my motivation to excel in the ARMA stems from many areas of interest and a quest for personal growth. Like I suspect most folks here did, I grew up playing D&D and reading historical fantasy. I also had a deep interest in the history of Western civilization, particularly on the military side.

Without a lot of role models growing up, I looked to the military to give direction and purpose to my life. I decided at the age of ten to be an Infantryman someday, and the Army allowed me to fulfill my dream of jumping out of planes and serving my country. My favorite day in basic training was the bayonet assault course, which we were allowed to negotiate after weeks of drilling the basic moves of the weapon. Later on, as a noncommissioned officer, I was responsible for continuing the training of my soldiers after they became members of my squad. Now I was teaching and leading men, and being mentored by others.

I only play soldier on the weekends now, but half a world away is a place where my friends and brothers in arms defend our right to exist, and I have to stay ready to join them if duty calls again. In my civilian job, I'm a police officer, currently a full-time firearms instructor. I take people, many who have never shot a firearm, and teach them gunfighting skills that can and do save lives everyday.

As an ARMA member, all of these things come together in one activity that luckily, I get to share with the most important person in my life, my wife Christine. Here I'm offered the opportunity to relive in some small way, the way my ancestors learned to fight and to appreciate the martial spirit of a bout well fought, whether it was won or lost. I get to connect with people who share similar interests, and make great new friends. I'm afforded the ability to teach and instruct, but also to learn and be mentored by those with greater skill. Even better, I'm encouraged to unlock further secrets of our lost art with hard work of my own, since we don't have all the answers yet.

All of these things give me the chance to be a part of and contribute to something much greater than I could be by myself, and that falls right in line with continuing personal growth.

The fighting part with swords and stuff is pretty cool too.

[Gene Tausk]

Good question, Shane. I spent my formative years playing RPG's and I have always (at least since I can remember) a history buff, especially the Crusades. My dad is from Romania and I grew up listening to his stories of being surrounded by Medieval castles and the battles of Vlad Tepes (aka Dracula). Later, I lived in Russia for a number of years and had unique opportunities to view excellently well preserved Russian arms and armor from the Medieval period (as well as view many fortresses and monasteries built in Medieval times). This only increased my interest in the Middle Ages of Europe.

Like you (Shane), I studied and eventually taught AMA. I was under the impression that our European ancestors did not really have fighting arts, or if they did, they certainly did not rise to the level of AMA. At the time, I did not see anything around me to change my mind.

John was teaching a class in something called "Renaissance Swordsmanship" here in Houston through LLU (sort of like a Learning Annex here), I had just graduated law school, had some free time (finally!) and thought I would try it.

Been hooked ever since.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

To rule the world.....and make them Obey.

OK not really, passions can be fickle things, fading and surging. This quest has been a pretty awesome journey for me so far.

It started with the simple asthetics of the longsword. The beautiful way in which it was used, the movements are both powerful and simple. When I caught some footage of John C using the weapon in the way it was designed, I was awestruck. I wanted to exercise with the sword and right from the get-go saw it's beauty.

Then, when I discovered all the historical information that survived about it's use, and combat in general, I had another awestruck moment. As a Swat Operator, I had a connection with the Masters admonishments about real combat and life and death decision making. I intrinsically understood many of the more glanced-over or misunderstood pieces of advice. (which you say?) -not saying yet--

The Association as a whole allows me to travel, see those distant places not as a tourist but for what the locals are- some outstanding people!-

The unique expirence of having a real connection with my distant ancestors, to get a feel for what they may have really been like-(it is often said that you do not know someone truely until you fight them)-and having the great privledge to try and contribute in my way to the great effort of reconstruction, that is being a Martial Archeologist-!

These are just the main reasons, I am also much quicker, stronger and more fit than I have ever been- AP

[Will Adamson]

I'm just here for the beer!

Because this is a reconstruction of an extinct lifeway, it is archaeology. My college training is in archaeology, and I spent around five years in AMA, so it is a great way for me to combine those two facets of my life.

Basically, it's history you can sweat to!

...and who doesn't want to fight with a sword?

[Patrick Hardin]

Ever since I was a very small child I've loved swords. When I reached adolescence, I wanted to learn about sword fighting, but knew nothing about it. I started dabbling with the SCA, but I was saved from that when a friend showed me the HACA website. Like many others of us, I had one of those "This is what I've been searching for all this time" moments.

That's my motivation for joining.

I joined when I was in college, right before HACA changed to ARMA. I've never looked back and enjoyed every minute of it. But after the IG '07, I noticed something was missing. I had been a member for seven years, but for at least four, I had let myself get stagnant, and hadn't really made much progress. And as I watched those who had worked so hard at their craft show what they knew and prove what they had learned, I couldn't help but feel a certain amount of shame. And so I resolved to remedy this situation. Anyone here who has faced me knows I'm no beginner, but I've never lived up to my potential. I know my failings, and I know what to do to amend them, even though it will take a while. And that's what I'm working on right now: To become the best I can be, realize my potential, and stand proud with the rest, because I know I can.

That's my motivation to excel.

[David_Knight]

I'm in it for the women.

[Jaron Bernstein]

I have had an interest in history since I could read and was an RPG player from an early age. Did several years of an unarmed AMA style but never picked up a weapon. Then I saw John C. and Jake N. do a demonstration at Origins (a major gaming convention) and it the light bulb came on that this was what I had been looking for and didn't know existed.

[Audra Grapes]

Interesting topic, Shane, thanks for posting it. I have really enjoyed hearing other people's stories.

I am the type of person who loves to do crazy things. They make good stories. I had just gotten out of an 8-year relationship and was sort of looking for my girl-power when I found ARMA. I had never studied a martial art but always felt like a fighter in my heart. I can't remember exactly what the thought was that made me do a google search on sword fighting but ARMA was at the top of the list. I was a bit worried about the type of people I would meet but I was impressed with the attitude that was presented online and pleased there was a group near me so I decided to check it out.

Well, the people were as weird as I feared (just kidding, guys) but what really hooked me was that sword fighting turned out to be paradoxically simple and challenging. I knew what it was I had to do in sparring but it was not as easy as "just doing it". It was frustrating sometimes, painful other times, but always fun. I still have so much to "catch up" on but I am enjoying the discoveries I am making about the art and about myself.

I love the comradre as well. You guys are the coolest dorks I know