Operations Order, Spring Blackbelt Retreat, Graduation, and Krav Camp (27–29 March) — FORGED! On To The Next Evolution

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL KMMA STUDENTS, STAFF, AND BLACKBELTS

SUBJECT: Operations Order, Spring Blackbelt Retreat, Graduation, and Krav Camp
(27–29 March) — FORGED! On To The Next Evolution

1. SITUATION
a. Enemy Forces
As always, we face both internal and external enemies.
The primary enemy for this operation is COMFORT.
Comfort whispers that what we have done is “enough.”
Comfort resists change, avoids pressure, and dulls standards.
Left unchecked, Comfort gives rise to its close allies: Complacency and Distraction.
Complacency erodes excellence quietly.
Distraction pulls focus away from purpose and identity.
These enemies are subtle, familiar, and dangerous—not because they attack loudly, but because they convince good people to stop evolving.
This operation exists to confront Comfort directly and to remind us that growth, leadership, and Blackbelt identity are forged, not found.
b. Friendly Forces
KMMA Senior, Master, and Blackbelt Leadership Instructors, medical professionals, staff, and volunteers will support this operation. Together, we will provide a safe, disciplined, challenging, and meaningful training environment for all participants.
Word of Life Retreat Center will serve as the Area of Operations (AO), providing facilities conducive to focused training, reflection, and community.

2. MISSION
Team KMMA will deploy to the Area of Operations at Word of Life Retreat Center, 13247 Word of Life Dr, Hudson, FL, from Friday, 27 March through Sunday, 29 March, to conduct Blackbelt Retreat operations, Krav Camp training, Blackbelt testing, and Graduation.
Operations will include Krav Maga Martial Arts combatives, kickboxing, self-protection, leadership development, and testing. Participants will train hard, uphold high standards, strengthen community, and move forward—forged and ready for the next evolution of their journey.
This operation culminates in Graduation for all ranks, marking both completion and transition.
3. EXECUTION
a. Commander’s Intent
It is my intent that every participant experiences this operation as earned, meaningful, and forward-moving.
We will:
Uphold the highest standards of training and conduct
Build earned confidence, not borrowed confidence
Challenge participants physically, mentally, and emotionally
Reinforce that evolution requires pressure, commitment, and humility
This retreat, camp, and graduation mark a transition—not only in rank, but in identity. We leave behind what is comfortable and step forward into what is required.
The theme of this operation is:
FORGED! — On To The Next Evolution
b. Concept of the Operation
Operations will be conducted in three phases:
Phase I – Alignment & Blackbelt Speeches (Friday, loc TBD)
Phase II – Training, Pressure, and Testing (Saturday)
Krav Camp training for all opt-in participants, Blackbelt training and testing blocks, leadership development, and community building.
Phase III – Completion & Transition (Sunday)
Final testing, reflection, Graduation, and release back to families and communities.
c. Tasks to Subordinate Units
Overall Logistics & Coordination: Ms. Barbara
Responsible for facility coordination, meals, lodging, belts, certificates, awards, and special-order items.
NCOIC / Event Lead: Shihan Thomas
Responsible for execution oversight, timelines, and coordination during the operation.
Medical Support:TBD
Responsible for medical readiness, monitoring, and response.
Training Cadre: KMMA Master Instructors
Responsible for instruction, testing standards, safety, and quality control.I have Masters and assistant instructors strategically for execution and leadership development purposes.
AV / Music / Media: Dr. Drew
Responsible for sound, music, video, and documentation.
Master Council: Shihan Harley, Carolyn, Adam,Thomas, Michelle, Winston
Responsible for standards, oversight, and Blackbelt evaluation. A modification of this camp, that I am very excited for everyone about, is that the Masters will be the primary trainers, but all squads will rotate through all masters in each training evolution, instead of one trainer per squad for the whole time. I believe this will create an even greater, more comprehensive and more inclusive experience for everyone.
d. Training Timeline
FRIDAY — 27 MARCH
1800 – Blackbelt Presentations, loc TBD
SATURDAY — 28 MARCH (KRAV CAMP & RETREAT OPERATIONS)- Word of Life
MORNING
0900 – Warm-up, Mindset, Pre-Combat Drills
0930 – KMMA Combatives
1000 – Punch & Kick Defense
1030 – Foundations of Self-Defense
1100 – Defense vs Bearhugs and Grabs & Holds Standing
1200 – Lunch
AFTERNOON
1300 – Kickboxing Sets
1400 – Weapon Defense (Stick / Knife)
1500 – Weapon Defense (Gun)
1600 – Grandmaster Training Block / Transition
EVENING
1700 – Dinner
1830 – Study Hall / Master Council Meetings
2000 – Warrior Walk
2100 – Campfire / Community
2200 – Lights Out
SUNDAY — 29 MARCH
0800 – Light Breakfast
0830–1130 Blackbelt Testing
( Palm Sunday service will be available on campus for those who wish to attend )
1300 – Graduation Ceremony
1500 – Dismissal

4. SUPPORT
a. What to Bring
ALL PARTICIPANTS:
Training gear (gloves, groin protection, mouthpiece, shin guards), hydration, personal medications.
RETREAT PARTICIPANTS:
Sleeping bag or bedding, pillow, toiletries, towels, training clothes, closed-toe shoes, camp chair, personal snacks.
Training weapons will be provided; personal training weapons may be brought if labeled.
b. Uniform
Friday: Class A (full gi)
Training & Testing: Class C (KMMA t-shirt, pants or MMA/long shorts, belt)
Graduation: Class A (full gi)
c. Chow
Meals are provided by Word of Life’s dining facility.

5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
a. Command
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo is the Commanding Officer for this operation. Shihan Winston Del Castillo is the Officer in Charge.
b. Commander’s Charge
Comfort has never built a Blackbelt.
Pressure, commitment, and standards do.
This weekend is not about perfection—it is about forging the next version of who we are, individually and as a community. Step fully into the work, support one another, and move forward with confidence earned the right way.
On to the next evolution.
c. Signal
Point of Contact for this order is:
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Gr*********@*****sa.com