"My name is Patrick Thomas Tray and I am a Senior Chief Petty Officer with the United States Navy S.E.A.L Teams. I have over 18 years active duty service and I am currently stationed in the Washington D.C. area. I am an instructor for the Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.. The Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts, Progressive Fighting System, Inc. and Pressure Point Control Tactics. I am also a representative of the RCJ Machado Jiu-Jitsu and Combat Submission Wrestling. I am one of the leading unarmed combat and prisoner handling instructors within the S.E.A.L Team community.

I have trained with several of the nation's leading Martial Artists and unarmed combat instructors in all aspects of unarmed combat. When I was introduced to Ms. LaVonne Martin, I was astonished with her knowledge in numerous martial arts and the high level of physical fitness she maintains. I have observed and participated in numerous classes instructed by Ms. Martin. Her professionalism, knowledge, capabilities and demeanor provided an extremely productive class.

I have crossed paths with numerous martial artists and physical trainers throughout my career, Ms. Martin is a top performer and uniquely talented. I highly recommend her as a physical trainer or martial arts instructor. A block of training with her would be very beneficial to anyone, regardless of his or her experience level.

This is a personal endorsement and not an endorsement from the U.S. Navy."

Patrick Thomas Tray
Chief Petty Officer
United States Navy S.E.A.L
Feburary 21, 2000

"I have known Miss Lavonne Martin for a little over ten years during my training in the Martial Arts. I have had the pleasure of training with Miss Martin as a student and witnessing her skills as a Martial Artist while she was assisting legendary Martial Arts Instructor Dan Inosanto in seminars.

Miss Martin is intelligent, disciplined, and highly skilled in the combative arts. She has excelled as a Martial Arts practitioner as well as a Martial Arts Instructor. Her depth of knowledge in hand-to-hand combat, hand held weapons and training methods are highly evolved and detailed and can be transferred to Law Enforcement training. Her knowledge and abilities would enhance any established defensive tactics or self-defense program. I am confident that she would develop an effective course for any Law Enforcement organization that employs her.

I have been employed with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for eighteen years. I have been involved in Law enforcement training for fourteen years and been assigned full time as a staff instructor at the Jacksonville Police Academy for the past eleven years. I have implemented many tactics, techniques, and training methods taught by Miss Martin with much success.

I recommend her without reservation."

H. Lee. Peacock
Police Academy Instructor/Police Officer
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
December 20, 2004

"It is without reservation and with great pride that I write this letter of recommendation for my student Ms. LaVonne Martin.

Ms. Martin has been my student since the mid 80’s. Already an accomplished and highly skilled practitioner in traditional martial art systems, Ms. Martin approached her training with me, with an open mind and a sincere attitude to 'empty her cup' and start as a 'beginner' in new and challenging systems and styles. Ms. Martin eagerly and aggressively has trained and moved up the ranks, to instructor level, in Filipino Martial Arts, the art and science of Lee Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do and the Malaysian-Filipino-Indonesian system, Maphilindo Silat.

Not only has Ms. Martin diligently trained with me, she has also trained and become an instructor in Thai boxing under Ajarn Chai Sirisute and The Thai Boxing Association U.S. A., and trained extensively with the late, Pak Herman Suwanda in Pencak Silat Mande Muda. Never content to sit back, Ms. Martin has also served as my training partner in Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Capoeria. A valuable instructor in my organization, Ms. Martin continues her training with me, as well as seeking out instruction with the worlds finest instructor’s, such as Dr. M. Gyi, head of the Bando system and Grandmasters Leo Giron and Tony Somera of the BaHala Na system of Eskrima-Arnis.

If given the opportunity, man, women, or child, young or old, experienced or beginner, will all gain insight and knowledge by training with Ms. LaVonne Martin."

Dan Inosanto
Founder/Head Instructor
Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts.

"Lavonne Martin is the most capable woman in Martial Arts that I know. She is articulate as a teacher, skilled as a martial artist, and performs with competence and authority. She is able to take complex situations and point out the core principle. Ms. Martin has a great presence and is able to deal with large and small groups equally well.

Ms. Martin has a vast knowledge in unarmed self-defense, Karate, Kick Boxing, Grappling, Jiu-Jitsu, personal weapon use, and is able to adapt to the situation she is placed in.

I can recommend Ms. Martin without reservation."

Ridgley Abele
Chief Instructor - Columbia School of Karatedo
Chairman National Coaches Committee
USA National Karatedo Federation

"I want to thank you for your consultant training with me at our Academy.

I have reviewed the instructor evaluations from the class, and your evaluations were outstanding. The Correctional Officers and Parole Agents wrote that you were an excellent control and arrest tactics instructor.

Your ability to motivate the class, answer their questions, and demonstrate the physical skills provided an opportunity for the students to learn. You were also able to give the students immediate feedback to improve their skills.

Once again, thank you for your consultant training."

R. David Reider
Corrections Academy Trainer
Illinois Department Of Corrections
May 15, 1989

"LaVonne Martin is a Full Instructor for Danny Inosanto, a world famous martial arts master and certified in various disciplines. She has trained law enforcement agencies in Indiana, Georgia, and the Illinois Department of Corrections. She has also dealt with various self defense issues concerning female officers in law enforcement.

Ms. Martin has literally trained hundreds of students as a lead instructor and/or assistant for Mr. Inonsanto over the last 10 years. She is a current Pressure Points Control Systems Management Systems (PPCT) Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor and is a PPCT Escape and Evasion Instructor. She was recently hired as a contract instructor for ATF’s Inspector Escape and Evasion program, which is a self defense program geared towards ATF Inspectors. Class student reviews where all outstanding and the training manager stated that not only was she one of the best received instructors he has ever worked with, but noted her professionalism, demeanor, and teaching style where above reproach.

I have personally known Ms. Martin for several years. As a PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor Trainer and a Danny Inosanto trained student, I can honestly say her skill level is one of the best I have ever witnessed. Not only is she capable of teaching basic knife defense to law enforcement, she is also capable of instructing and mentoring any advanced skills class that is requested by any law enforcement agency.

It goes without saying that I highly recommend Ms. Martin to any agency requesting training in her specialties."

Steven P. Bisnette
ATF

"The instructors at Martin Academy exemplify the true spirit of Martial Arts not only in their outstanding breadth and depth of knowledge and demonstrable skills, but in their character. Each of them exhibits the kind of humility, honor and integrity that provides a sound foundation for everything else being taught. Their patience with people who may take a while to learn physical movement, such as myself, has made learning some of the best martial arts on the planet a whole lot of fun."

Don VanderSluis

As a security consultant with corporate and government clients, I needed practical fighting and self-defense instruction tailored to the situations I would likely encounter. Sifu LaVonne Martin met all of my needs. She took the time to find out about the specific requirements of my work and developed a course of instruction just for me. Sifu Martin is a great choice for security, law enforcement, and military personnel seeking focused and practical martial arts instruction.

Alvin K. Brown
Owner, Brown Security Group, P.A.