NVMM Jiu Jitsu
WHEN:
Mondays – 6:30 a.m.
Wednesdays – 6:30 a.m.
Thursdays – 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Fridays – 6:30 a.m.
Saturdays – 9 a.m.
Sundays – 9 a.m.
WHERE:
NVMM (300 W. Broad St)
We’re bringing world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes to Veterans and civilians.
Hands-on classes bring world-class instructors and experienced and proven leaders who teach the gentle art of Jiu Jitsu. Our principles include the Jiu Jitsu fundamentals: Teamwork, Respect and Character. The art of Jiu Jitsu helps build confidence, and provides real-world tools to help conquer the challenges participants face each day.
We believe in having a welcoming and safe learning environment for all levels of experience; beginners to advanced individuals are welcome.
Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Retired) and President and CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is head professor. A 1st Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, LTG Ferriter and a distinguished group of Instructors lead the seminars each week. Opportunities are available to train with nationally recognized Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other Martial Arts practitioners.
Please note: Your registration includes the automatic signing of our Media Waiver and Release.
Meet your instructors:
Lieutenant General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Retired) is a first-degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Romero Jacare’ Calvacanti and Alliance BJJ.
Lt. Gen. Ferriter began his Jiu Jitsu journey in 1997 when he met with Rorion Gracie as the U.S. Army Rangers adopted Jiu Jitsu as a center piece of their Combatives program. In 1999 Lt. Gen. Ferriter led the re-invention of the US Army Hand to Hand fighting system and then decided to learn Jiu Jitsu thereby leading by example. In 2000, Lt. Gen. Ferriter launched the US Army Combatives school.
In 2005, Royce Gracie promoted Ferriter to Blue belt. Upon his return to Fort Benning, Georgia in 2009, Lt. Gen. Ferriter continued training and was promoted to purple belt under Rigan Machado and Papa John Gorman. In 2012 Professor Jacare’ Calvacanti promoted Lt. Gen. Ferriter to Brown belt and in March 2014 became the only U.S. Army General Officer promoted to Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
In 2014 Lt. Gen. Ferriter assisted in the growing and flourishing jiu jitsu program at Champions Martial Arts center in Puyallup, Washington. In 2015 Lt. Gen. Ferriter launched Hands-on Inspired Leadership seminars for corporate leadership teams, high schooler students and Veterans. Lt. Gen. Ferriter has trained around the world in Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, Iraq, Kuwait and throughout the United States.
Through the National Veterans Memorial and Museum’s Strength and Resiliency program, LTG Ferriter offers Jiu Jitsu instruction coupled with lessons in leadership and life principles.
Coach Gary Hensley is a Marine Corps Veteran originally from Cincinnati, OH. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt and active competitor. Gary has over 25 years of experience in martial arts and holds Black Belts in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo under Professor Brian Walsh.
Gary wrestled in high school and was introduced to Shootfighting his junior year. Immediately after high school, Gary joined the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps Gary would continue his grappling-based training in the forms of Submission Wrestling and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
After active duty, Gary started training in Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Judo focusing on Newaza. In 2016, Gary started studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Robin Gieseler and BJ Nelson, and in 2020, he started training under Lt. Gen. Ferriter.
