USAMAF Biography Information

Robert "Charlie" Jernigan, Ph.D.
Member, Board of Directors
United States (USA) Martial Arts Federation

Charlie’s first encounter with martial arts was in Worthington, Ohio at the Worthington Judo Club in 1967 at the age of 14. Here he became a member of the Armed Forces Judo Association under the tutelage of Sensei Grant and Sensei Nichols. At that time the Worthington Judo Club was one of the largest Judo clubs in the country. Charlie received a solid Judo foundation in addition to being exposed to other martial arts. He competed often, holding the title of first in my weight class in Worthington for several years. As with the old school, Charlie remained in the Kyu ranks until a senior. Early on Sensei Grant put Charlie to work teaching basic throws and grappling techniques to the younger students and from this his love of teaching grew. Judo and Jujitsu were in his blood; he then became a life member of the United States Judo Association.

Charlie attended Ohio Weslyan University, in Delaware Ohio in 1971. Here he taught a small group which commuted back to Worthington from time to time. Later, he attended the University of Miami, Florida, and taught Judo and Jujitsu on campus. As a geologist, he moved to Oklahoma. Charlie attended the University of Oklahoma, and taught and practiced at various clubs. Attending several tournaments in Oklahoma City, Charlie met Sensei Bethers. Under his instruction he competed in Judo, and achieved a brown belt in Karate. Charlie received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Jujitsu in 1983, and is now a Yondan (4th degree black belt) in Jujitsu with the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation and the United States Martial Arts Federation. Charlie has taught Judo and Jujitsu privately in Chickasha since arriving in 1976, and also as an adjunct professor at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. While in Chickasha, Charlie introduced Sensei Bethers to Sensei Mandrell and her Dojo. Sensei Mandrell, being a fine instructor, saw the benefit of the United States Martial Arts Federation and joined shortly thereafter bringing the umbrella of the organization to this area.

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