Adult Instructor Staff

The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo is unique in the fact that it is owned and operated by its students. All of the staff members of the dojo have regular careers; the dojo is not run as a fulltime career for any of the instructors. Because of this, the training programs are more grounded, as each instructor is teaching Budo Taijutsu with their own personal experiences intertwined.

The Dayton Bujinkan Dojo and its staff are part of the Bujinkan's Shidoshi Kai (teacher's guild) from the hombu in Japan. Membership cards are renewed in the spring of each year. In addition, instructors are of either a Shidoshi or Shidoshi-ho status, with some at the Happo Biken Menkyo level. Please view the Common Questions section for more information about credentials.

Pam Dunsky - co-owner - Shidoshi

Pam has been training since 1995, and successfully earned the rank of Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt) at the Dayton Bujinkan in 2004. She has been to Japan four times for training (2001, 2004 & 2006, 2007), and has internalized the meaning of "Letting the Dragon Out" when it comes to applying Taijutsu to larger partners! Pam passed her Godan test on Friday, August 4, 2006 at the Bujinkan Hombu in Japan. Pam's career is as a business professional for a global financial corporation.

Marty Dunsky - co-owner - Shidoshi

Marty began training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu after seeing his children start in 1995. He has been to Japan for training seven times since 1999 (his most recent trip was April 2008), and passed the Godan test in 2003 at the Bujinkan Hombu. In August 2007, Hatsumi Soke awarded him his Judan. Currently, Marty teaches on Tuesday & Thursday mornings. Marty's career is as a licensed Emergency Room Physician (D.O.). He is certified as an OPOTA Tactical Defense Instructor.

David VandenBos - co-owner - Sandan Shidoshi-ho

David began training in January 2001. He has been to Japan four times to train with Hatsumi Soke, Nagato Sensei, Noguchi Sensei, Seno Sensei, Oguri Sensei, and Shiraishi Sensei. His most recent trip was in January 2006. David works as a Deputy Chief of Administration for a Fire Department near Dayton Ohio. He teaches at the dojo on Mondays and as a fill-in instructor when requested.

Jeff Ochester - co-owner - Shidoshi

Jeff began his Bujinkan training in 1991 at Kurt Rittenhouse Martial Arts. Jeff has been going to Japan yearly for training since 1997. He passed the Godan test in 1999 at the Bujinkan Hombu in Japan, and was given a Judan in 2004. His most recent Japan trip was April 2008. Jeff enjoys training with Hatsumi Soke, Nagato Shihan & Noguchi Shihan, along with Dan Klug & Sean Askew. Jeff teaches at the dojo on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. He works as a network operations manager for a local Township & Fire Department. Jeff is also a Level II Firefighter & EMT-B, and an OPOTA Defensive Tactics Instructor.

Tony Maddin - instructor - Shidoshi

Tony began training at Kurt Rittenhouse Martial Arts in the early 1990's, and has been instructing Budo Taijutsu in the Dayton area since 1995 (including running his own club in college). A former Army Ranger, Tony's flow (nagare) and "keep going" attitude are an inspiration to everyone. Tony holds the rank of Godan (5th Degree Blackbelt - the 1,992 person to earn it!), and has been to Japan twice since 2003. Tony currently teaches Thursday nights. Tony works as an IT Administrator in the Dayton area.

Charles Gelm - instructor -Shidoshi

Charles began training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in the mid-1990's under Kurt Rittenhouse. Charles was given his Sandan by Nagato Sensei during a training trip to Japan in 2001. He past the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu in Japan in July 2007. He teaches on Tuesday nights. Charles works as a IT Administrator in the Dayton area.

Alan Sakoman - instructor - Yondan Shidoshi-ho

Alan began training at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo during 2001 as he was working on his post-graduate Masters degree in artificial intelligence (he graduated in 2005). Originally born and raised in Croatia, Alan speaks three languages and went to Japan for training in 2003. Alan is the "resident expert" in groundfighting, as he has trained extensively with Sean Askew and enjoys using Budo Taijutsu as the basics for ne waza. He has competed in the 2004, 05, 06, & 07 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic and 2006 & 07 NAGA (North American Grappling Association), winning multiple silver and bronze awards for his weight class in submission groundfighting. He has coached students who fought at the NAGA competition in Columbus, Ohio. Alan earned his yondan in April 2008. Alan currently teaches Friday nights.

Bob Ensign - instructor - Shidoshi

Bob began studying martial arts in Dayton in 1982. After moving to Florida he studied Goju Ryu and Chen Man-Ching style Tai Chi. Bob moved back to Dayton and started training in Budo Taijutsu in 1994 with Stephen K. Hayes. He received his Shodan in Bujinkan Dojo Taijutsu on December 2, 1998. He then began training at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo and traveling to Japan to study with Hatsumi Soke and the Japanese Shihan. Bob passed the Godan test supervised by Hatsumi Soke, administered by Nagato Shihan on March 30, 2008. Bob also studies Tenshin Ryu Kenjutsu at Ohio Budokan in Dayton. He was awarded the rank of Kyosei on April 6, 2002. Bob is an active shooter and is an instructor at Sim-Trainer Civilian & Police Training Academy. Professionally he is a board certified Physician Assistant practicing in the Dayton area.

Mike Ockerman - Shodan - Assistant Instructor

Mike began training in 2001 at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He assists in the Kid's classes when needed and teaches an adult class every Monday night. Mike earned his Shodan (1st Degree Blackbelt) in 2007 while training in Japan. He is also an accomplished musician, playing guitar and bass for local bands in the Miami Valley.

Kevin Dunsky- Shodan - Assistant Instructor

Kevin began training in 1995 at age five as a youth student of Kurt RittenHouse Martial Arts School. Training ever since, Kevin assists in many of the Kid's classes regularly. Kevin has been fortunate enough to visit Japan twice for training, and competes regularly in the NAGA events held regionally.