Hock's Blog

Hock's Seminars

Hock's Shopsite

Hock's Web Page



Lauric Enterprises, Inc.
1314 W. McDermott
Ste 106-811
Allen, TX 75013
972-390-1777

New Links

Knife Book

Impact Weapons Book

First Contact

Critical Contact

Footwork Book

Facebook-CQC

Facebook-Hock

Hock's Author Pg

 

 


W. Hock Hochheim's

           Combat Centric

Talk Forum for Military, Police, Martial Artists and Aware Citizenry



Hock Hochheim's Combat Talk Forum

  • February 04, 2012, 02:18:25 AM
  • Welcome, Guest
Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 7

Author Topic: Cestari and WW II Questions?  (Read 18620 times)

Bryan Lee

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Rogue Elephant
Cestari and WW II Questions?
« on: March 25, 2008, 05:36:57 AM »


  I want to to be up front and state I started this thread to yank Ralph Grassos chain a little and see if I could get him to show up over here. The truth is I agree with most of Ralph's writing but I don't know much at all about Carl Cestari other than I see his name thrown around all over the place and his name was associated to some other instructors who may or may not of actually learned anything from the man.


 Last year I posted some information from the original article of the arrest of Cestari from a very unfortunate accident. While the information was correct and as a convicted felon he would no longer be able to train anyone with live fire weaponry and would be subject to other legal restrictions this in no way invalidates his abilities or skills. While some may view his hero worshiped status as cult like it does at least prove the man had some real friends who will go out of their way to defend him.  This thread is in no way an attack on Carl Cestari, mostly I'm interested to hear some different view points and do a little research in the process so feel free to contribute. Have any members of this forum actually trained with Carl Cestari or any of his confirmed instructors?


http://www.carlcestari.com/

« Last Edit: May 23, 2008, 08:07:35 AM by Hock »
Logged
JimH, "Bryan, have you seen the Elephant?"  Bryan Lee, "I Am The MotherFFFFing Elephant!"

whitewolf

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 5300
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2008, 06:25:31 AM »

Carls instructors=ONly one i ever visited with and was shown some tactics was Mr Charles Nelson who taught out of NYC long time ago-Mr Nelson was a former Marine who taught reality type tactics to  many  people-I understand that after reading one of Hocks posts there are some instructors now who use the Carl and Charles name and throw it around to their advantage-they have advertisments in the BB mag-never saw them in person-and really dont care to-whitewolf..
Logged

theardri

  • Level 1
  • **
  • Posts: 44
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2008, 08:53:07 AM »

Having had my share of run ins with "mr" Grasso for daring train with the unclean (Geoff Todd). I should probably stay out of this one.

From what  have seen Cestari trained some very nice, if dated techniques. I enjoyed the DVD's that I saw, but then again I also like Hocks, Senshido, and my own instructors work, as I'm a Combatives junkie.'

There are some legit successors to Mr Cestari as far as I can tell. Clint being THE legit one (and by extension I guess Ralph). However there are also the vultures. This includes Lt.X and Captain Chris (Pizzo and Ross have gone their own ways).

Apparently Clint is working on some DVD’s of his own. Good for him.

The problem I guess I have is, as good as Cestari was (past tense), there are other great instructors with just as legitimate credentials out there. I am posting on the board of one, I’ve trained under another, and correspond with another (Ron Evans in the UK).

Combatives should evolve not be stuck in the WW2 mindset. FAS (Fairbairn-Applegate-Sykes) started something great, but it was not perfect.

Ok off the soap box. I am not here to yank chains, as I’ve been told by some to leave them alone and let their own actions speak for them.


Logged

JimH

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 2517
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2008, 09:37:40 AM »

I do not understand what is not known of Mr Cestari and his training,ranking and teaching,as the link supplied shows some of his rankings and Instructors .

Is this discussion just to be about his Combatives teachings,WWII combatives or his complete range of learning,training and teaching ?

Carls teachings of Combatives as seen in WWII applications by FAS,the US Marines ,the British Commandos are straight up simplistic,easy to learn and employ battlefield,Eliminate the enemy,Killing techniques.

As I have said,I was exposed to USMC Combat Judo/WWII combatives at an early age by my Uncles,one a China Marine/Judo Instructor and the Other a USMC Close Combat/Combat Judo Instructor.

I had also been able to see Mr Nelsons Materials  as a spectator to my Father and his Partners
experiences with Mr Nelson.

I have experiences in Combat Judo as taught through the USMC and through friendship with instructors in the USMC.

I also have experience through the teachings of WWII styled applications as taught at SFQC ,US Army Special Forces Qualifications Course

I have had experiences through down line people associated with Carl such as Kelly McCann who is a  down line of Bob Kasper,W R Mann who is a Down line product of Kelly McCann,Mr Perkins who had some experiences with Carl,Steiner and others.

What Carl taught in his video series is straight up Combat Judo/WWII applications of the basics of Combat survival.

What I saw Mr Nelson teach were the applications beyond the basics,more of the judo,jujitsu and boxing /striking applications of self defense.
(one had to make adaptations to the basic battlefield application as all street self defense cannot end by closing with and Killing the opponent)

What others teach in the way of Combatives is their versions of the application which is not hard to understand and master and has very little room for error as the attack and destroy  principle is not hard to grasp.

I wish I had been able to train directly with Carl,Mr Grasso,Clint or Bob Kasper,though I had opportunity to meet and talk to Mr Kasper and would have liked to have trained at the NJ Gung Ho Chuan Association.
(I have written to Mr Grasso about training,no response,I hope he and or Clint come out with more of Carls teachings or their materials as applied to street self defense)

I hope this does not become a bashing of a man who is dead,unable to come on and defend himself,we can appreciate that he shared his knowledge and if it fits your needs,fits your likes then do it,if not find other materials that fit the end,or better yet search,train and MIX everyones material that works for you.

Mr Grasso and Clint appear to be students of ALL the arts as was Carl and I am sure they have seen this site and Hocks and others materials or applications.
( I do not see what drawing him to this site is to accomplish)

The above is My two cents ,which is an opinion of mine and my quest for learning,training,applications and implementations.
Logged

theardri

  • Level 1
  • **
  • Posts: 44
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2008, 10:46:06 AM »

I think part of the problem is none of us have issues with Mr Cestari. However the wolfpack ... yeah I will stop there.
Logged

Bri Thai

  • Guest
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2008, 02:12:45 PM »

I won't.  What a pile of knobs.

There was always an underlying threat with the hilariously self styled "Wolf Pack."  Wool Pack more like.  The threat was "Agree with us or get flamed and threatened."  Even Hock got a flaming from what I remember, even though he had done nothing whatsoever to antagonise them. 

For the most part guys would kiss their rear ends or stay away altogether.  They went onto complain about how no one was turning up to their seminars, as if it was the fault of the non attendees.  It could not be their own fault of course.... oh no no no.

But the arse kissers?  Pathetic.  "Oh Carl!  Thank you for sharing your knowledge!"  "Oh Ralph!  Can I kiss your ring-piece for the brilliant way you regurgitated what Carl says?"   ;)


As for Carl himself?  I concur with Jim.  The guy has died.  It isn't nice to speak ill of the dead.  May he rest in peace.

Now for subject matter.  I have four of the treasured tapes.  They are nothing special.  There are contradictions in the content, and the demos are nowhere near the mythical super performances that the faithful report after seeing them.

Production values?  Dire.  Not just because they are filmes on a home camcorder neither.  There is just no skill or thought whatsoever in the presentation.  Carl drones on and on whilst another guy stands there.  A Spar Pro could have done his job.  Here's a taster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEIj47ggMfo

Try watching that for a few hours.  Hide all sharp implements, as you may choose to end the torture by doing yourself some harm.

I'm not too sure what the point of the thread is neither.  But my view?  They had this great rep because they gave it to themselves, and then shouted at everyone who disagreed with them.  Luckily not everyone gets all afraid of loud fat guys.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2008, 02:24:21 PM by Bri Thai »
Logged

Milldog1776

  • Guest
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2008, 03:04:37 PM »

I caught a little flak once for teaching a WW2 seminar (Hock warned me ;D). Not too much, just some emails. "How are you qualified to teach that."

To which I replied: "You are so right! How dare I teach...teach...Jiu-Jitsu!"  ;D

That ended all correspondence. ::)
Logged

JimH

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 2517
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2008, 04:04:50 PM »

I also have all Cestari videos.
I have Mr Nelsons Materials from him not paladin restructured materials.
I have all McCanns videos.
I have Perkins Materials.
I have seen Steiner Materials.
I have seen John Kary materials.
I have  US Navy WWII H2H.
I have the USMC WWII H2H and Conditioning set.
I have all the Defendu/o stuff by Wolfe,which is Hapkido materials as straight up basic combatives.
I have materials with Fairbairn,Sykes on it.
I have the books and written materials.

The one thing that ALL these products and all these men share is the USE OF BASICS,Basics that were not self created by Fairbairn,Applegate,Sykes,but materials taken from JUDO/Jujitsu,Boxing/Chinese boxing.

NO ONE owns WWII Combatives.

Mr Cestari owned HIS VERSION/His Interpretation of the Materials.
Mr Wagner owns his interpretation.
No One owns the delivery of Strikes and kicks,

While I had Opportunity to know the Materials from Relatives and from my Military service,seeing Carls Materialss just was a Revision for me and others with such exposure,nothing new or Ground breaking.

To Others though,with limited exposure outside the Dojo/Dojang these techniques were a drastic change ,a New Vision,though not always usable on the street as they are in Combat.

Mr Cestari was a man who knew his art/s,knew what he studied and trained it and allowed others not able to know this material an insight into true Live and Death Self Defense BASICS.

As said by Keith Miller :
The Material is NOTHING NEW,it is derived from Basic Judo and Jujitsu tactics.
This is how Mr Wolfe ,Mr Perkins,Mr Steiner and others can sell what they sell as they can call it WWII combatives as it is Jujitsu/Hapkido based materials,same CORE concepts of implementation.
It is the same materials STILL taught to Special Forces/Green Berets and they TEACH it around the world.
Nothing New.
Nothing Self created.
Nothing owned by a Group or organization,just each persons interpretation.

If the problem is with the trainers,students and followers of Mr Cestari then the topic should have been so titled.


Logged

Bryan Lee

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Rogue Elephant
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2008, 03:35:12 AM »




  In the first post I clearly stated that this tread was no attack on Cestari. The man is dead now, what is left is his legacy and that is what I'm interested in, not attacking him. The only person I have ever vowed to piss on thier grave was Pol Pot.
Logged
JimH, "Bryan, have you seen the Elephant?"  Bryan Lee, "I Am The MotherFFFFing Elephant!"

Bryan Lee

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Rogue Elephant
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2008, 08:36:05 AM »



   I think I pissed off some people when I posted this article before, It was first printed in the New York Times and is now part of history. I will put this up just for the sake of history but will add that whatever happend that night was long ago and good people make mistakes. I do see it as a disservice to not include the information on other websites dedicated to him as it had to of deeply affected him but I cant speak further than that on the matter and will drop it here.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E4D71139F93AA25757C0A964948260

THE REGION; Policeman Killed, Another Is Held
AP
Published: April 19, 1982
A Roselle Park policeman was shot to death during a party for a fellow officer who was about to enter the Army, authorities said today. The officer for whom the party was being held was charged with aggravated manslaughter in the killing.

''If I had to make an educated guess,'' said Police Chief Daniel Conger of Plainfield, ''I'd say it might be horseplay that precipitated the shooting. This is the tragic result of clowning around.''

The accused officer, Carl P. Cestari, 23 years old, was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Cuddie Davidson today and was held in the Plainfield jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, authorities said. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

He was charged in connection with the death Saturday night of Patrolman John J. Maiorelli Jr., 30, of Roselle Park, who was shot near a small firing range in the basement of Officer Cestari's home.


http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9905EFD61238F933A15756C0A964948260

THE REGION; Former Officer Indicted in Killing

Published: May 20, 1982
A former Roselle Park police officer was indicted on charges of aggravated manslaughter today in the shooting death of a fellow officer at a party on April 17.

A Union County grand jury returned the two-count indictment against the former officer, Carl Cestari, 23 years old, of Plainfield, who resigned from the force to join the Army.

The indictment charges that Mr. Cestari ''recklessly'' caused the death of John J. Mariorelli Jr., 30, of Roselle Park, ''under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by the use of a firearm.'' He was also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The police said there was heavy drinking and ''a lot of fooling around with guns'' at the party, which began seven hours before the shooting.

Logged
JimH, "Bryan, have you seen the Elephant?"  Bryan Lee, "I Am The MotherFFFFing Elephant!"

theardri

  • Level 1
  • **
  • Posts: 44
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2008, 08:43:49 AM »

Sorry if this is a double post

I think I said it too, there was nothing "new" in the Videos (well DVD's when I got them, and not the Lt.X stuff). I was not expecting anything new anyhow. Coming from a geographically isolated location (Dunedin New Zealand) I was at least blessed to have trained with Geoff, as well as have James Webb and Larry Jordan visit. But the ONLY Combatives in New Zealand was Geoff. So when I moved to the USA I was hoping to find more people to learn from. Sadly my first experience was of the Wolf Pac. I mentioned Geoff and all of a sudden I am a n00b because I am only phase one (and a little two thanks to Geoff letting me sit in on some before I moved away), thus invalidating myself as someone who might know his arse from his elbows. Never mind I’m mid 30’s and have trained other styles, never mind I am highly educated thus know how to research.

It all comes down to “owning” the rights. As it’s been said no one Owns Combatives (be it WW2 or Krav). You get instructors like Hock and Geoff who have a passion for the subject and wish to pass it along (oh and just happen to make some $$ doing so) and then you get Lt.X who wants to swamp the market. Then there are those who “missed the boat”. When Charles Nelson died (I remember training that day, and Geoff pushed us harder as a tribute … ouch) his name got absorbed by Robert Spiegel. The Wolf Pack was ballistic about that. Then anyone else who had dared train with him was a target. I’ll not even go into the cluster hump of who was or was not a student of Applegates. The wolfpac was missing out on limelight, money and recognition.

That made any other instructor a target.

If any of you go to Bullshido (hey it’s like a train wreck), the weeks after Ceatari died, the wolfpac showed up. Before this the Bullshido crowed mocked Cestari (for the poor videos, which is not quite fair given the age of them but yeah …), this changed when he was some how listed in the most dangerous men in BB magazine, he was “Respected” even if he had not been trained with by anyone.

No one wants to speak ill of the dead. Fair enough. How about the living?

Rather than play bait the bastard, use facts against them. Someone did this to them on Bullshido (it involved comments about Todd and Webb) and they shut up and back peddled. OR disappeared.

Lets concentrate on good trainers




I won't.  What a pile of knobs.

There was always an underlying threat with the hilariously self styled "Wolf Pack."  Wool Pack more like.  The threat was "Agree with us or get flamed and threatened."  Even Hock got a flaming from what I remember, even though he had done nothing whatsoever to antagonise them. 

For the most part guys would kiss their rear ends or stay away altogether.  They went onto complain about how no one was turning up to their seminars, as if it was the fault of the non attendees.  It could not be their own fault of course.... oh no no no.

But the arse kissers?  Pathetic.  "Oh Carl!  Thank you for sharing your knowledge!"  "Oh Ralph!  Can I kiss your ring-piece for the brilliant way you regurgitated what Carl says?"   ;)


As for Carl himself?  I concur with Jim.  The guy has died.  It isn't nice to speak ill of the dead.  May he rest in peace.

Now for subject matter.  I have four of the treasured tapes.  They are nothing special.  There are contradictions in the content, and the demos are nowhere near the mythical super performances that the faithful report after seeing them.

Production values?  Dire.  Not just because they are filmes on a home camcorder neither.  There is just no skill or thought whatsoever in the presentation.  Carl drones on and on whilst another guy stands there.  A Spar Pro could have done his job.  Here's a taster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEIj47ggMfo

Try watching that for a few hours.  Hide all sharp implements, as you may choose to end the torture by doing yourself some harm.

I'm not too sure what the point of the thread is neither.  But my view?  They had this great rep because they gave it to themselves, and then shouted at everyone who disagreed with them.  Luckily not everyone gets all afraid of loud fat guys.
Logged

Hock

  • Administrator
  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 7746
    • www.HocksCQC.com
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2008, 08:44:10 AM »

What Keith said about being challenged when teaching WW II combatives made me think about the numerous times I had been challenged by just using the word "Combatives,"
least of all Military Combatives.

Many of the WWII Combatives people thought they owned the word, "combatives" I guess. All of my needless challengers had never even been in any military. I told them I was teaching the boxing, kicking and jujitsu that I had been taught in the Army basic and military police and its continuing military education. From The ARMY! (The same Army that Rex Applegate was in. Army-Army. The same Army they were never in) But that did not qualify me enough in their non-military eyes. I'm sorry, but that is very short-minded.

I just find that so ironic. I had been trained by the Army, they hadn't, nor had their instructors, but I wasn't "blessed" enough to teach "combatives." HEY! Never mind that - I really didn't teach MILITARY combatives anyway, just used the most generic word - combatives.  

As some know the worst campaign I had ever had run against me was by this Cestari. It reached worldwide through the WW II people. To this day, I am still burned by it a bit in the United Kingdom. But I had to dismiss it and just shake my head. He was a "cranky yankee," and myself growing up in the New York City metro area, I knew lots of those guys and understood their ideas and language. Therefore I also understood the use of Gutter-Fighting" dot-com term. It is so "Jersey." I understand it, but think that the word "Gutterfighting" is counter-culture and appeals to to a certain, small market that I find distastefull, unproductive, and unprofessional.

Also, I get the idea that Carl and I would have gotten if we had met, as both of us are "cranky yankees."  Our troubles all began when in a 1990s magazine article I proudly reminded everyone that WW II Combatives was started ironically by..."just cops," not super-duper, special forces guys or Captain America. British COPS in China. (I was a cop too!). He thought I was dissing all WW II combatives somehow, or whatver his Cranky Yankee mind had dechipered. But in the end, cops started World War II Combatives. Just street cops trying to survive. As a cop myself, I think this is very cool. Disprespecting them is disrespecting me. Carl was wrong.

I knew a few of the NJ Gung Ho Chuan Association, and members came to my seminars in the 1990s when I was up in Jersey and VA area. I really liked all those guys and we always had a blast. They especially liked the knife-fighting course and the knife scenarios we did. But, I was unfamilair with them as a group, (I see so many groups) and unfamilair with their origins and "mission statement."  Then they seemed to all disappear off and you never hear the name anymore.

By the way, the Australian, NZ and SA group knows who Ben Mangels is and knows I have trained with him, and respect him immensely and immediately they gave me a thumbs up and a smile.

Its these, these... "damn yankees!"
 
Hock


 
« Last Edit: November 14, 2008, 06:14:07 PM by Hock »
Logged

theardri

  • Level 1
  • **
  • Posts: 44
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2008, 08:46:01 AM »

Out of curiosity where did you learn of this from? I was pointed this way by a friend in the UK ;)




   I think I pissed off some people when I posted this article before, It was first printed in the New York Times and is now part of history. I will put this up just for the sake of history but will add that whatever happend that night was long ago and good people make mistakes. I do see it as a disservice to not include the information on other websites dedicated to him as it had to of deeply affected him but I cant speak further than that on the matter and will drop it here.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E4D71139F93AA25757C0A964948260

THE REGION; Policeman Killed, Another Is Held
AP
Published: April 19, 1982
A Roselle Park policeman was shot to death during a party for a fellow officer who was about to enter the Army, authorities said today. The officer for whom the party was being held was charged with aggravated manslaughter in the killing.

''If I had to make an educated guess,'' said Police Chief Daniel Conger of Plainfield, ''I'd say it might be horseplay that precipitated the shooting. This is the tragic result of clowning around.''

The accused officer, Carl P. Cestari, 23 years old, was arraigned before Superior Court Judge Cuddie Davidson today and was held in the Plainfield jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, authorities said. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

He was charged in connection with the death Saturday night of Patrolman John J. Maiorelli Jr., 30, of Roselle Park, who was shot near a small firing range in the basement of Officer Cestari's home.


http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9905EFD61238F933A15756C0A964948260

THE REGION; Former Officer Indicted in Killing

Published: May 20, 1982
A former Roselle Park police officer was indicted on charges of aggravated manslaughter today in the shooting death of a fellow officer at a party on April 17.

A Union County grand jury returned the two-count indictment against the former officer, Carl Cestari, 23 years old, of Plainfield, who resigned from the force to join the Army.

The indictment charges that Mr. Cestari ''recklessly'' caused the death of John J. Mariorelli Jr., 30, of Roselle Park, ''under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life by the use of a firearm.'' He was also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The police said there was heavy drinking and ''a lot of fooling around with guns'' at the party, which began seven hours before the shooting.


Logged

michael

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 282
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2008, 09:09:15 AM »

I didn't know Carl nor ever train with him, but I do have a lot of his videos and DVD's. There is a lot of great information in them, and it is very basic, which I like. Sure the quality of the production itself is not that great, but they have good material in them regardless. After all, the basics trained well make for a very difficult opponent. As far as Ralph goes, he has been very ill and it is not likely he is going to show up here.
Logged
**To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one. It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives. Nobody is born a warrior, in exactly the same way that nobody is born an average man. We make ourselves into one or the other.** Carlos Castaneda

Bryan Lee

  • Level 4
  • *****
  • Posts: 451
  • Rogue Elephant
Re: Carl Cestari Questions?
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2008, 09:52:51 AM »

I didn't know Carl nor ever train with him, but I do have a lot of his videos and DVD's. There is a lot of great information in them, and it is very basic, which I like. Sure the quality of the production itself is not that great, but they have good material in them regardless. After all, the basics trained well make for a very difficult opponent. As far as Ralph goes, he has been very ill and it is not likely he is going to show up here.


  I hope Ralph gets better whatever is going on with him. I first saw him posting on the Self Defense Forums where he was posting here and there, I would read his stuff. Then some people just went overboard criticizing him for no reason and he quite posting. Later I got the boot over there, no suprise as the owner is a genuine nut job and chickenshit to boot, long story there but it goes back to my attack of Marc Denny, I had the owner of Self Defense Forums sending me e-mail trying to tell me to attack Gyi and that Marc was to big a target even though he said he agreed with me. Then one day religion came up and he went all communist attacking any and all religion, Im sure he would send me straight to hell if could, I found it all to bizarro but whatever with that. In the end I have no problem with Ralph, turns out he was onto something concering diplomas but I will get into that on a seperate thread, just hope he gets better.
Logged
JimH, "Bryan, have you seen the Elephant?"  Bryan Lee, "I Am The MotherFFFFing Elephant!"
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 7