Clint Hale

Master Instructor

To hold a senior rank in one martial art is a major accomplishment. But, to achieve senior rank in two shows a dedication to martial arts that is well above the norm. However, when one adds to these accomplishments two additional career paths, an image of sheer dedication and devotion comes into sharp focus.

Master Instructor Clint Hale holds a 5th Dan Black Belt in Traditional, ITF-Style Taekwondo, and a 4th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido through the World Traditional Hapkido Alliance, (an affiliate of the United States National Taekwondo Federation).

His enthusiasm for martial arts began his in 1983, when he enrolled in a Taekwondo class in Lakin, Kansas. Three years later, In 1986, he changed focus to  Ryukyu, Kempo Karate, earning his 1st Degree Black Belt in that style in 1988.

After achieving his Black Belt in Karate, he returned to Taekwondo and achieved the rank of Red-Belt in WTF/Olympic-style Taekwondo in 1991. Later that same year, he made a life choice faced by many young men in our country, and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army.

His first military assignment took him to Hawaii, where he continued his martial arts studies on his own, in itself an indication of his level of devotion to the martial arts. When he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he began training with Master Song Brown at Song's Taekwondo in Clarksville. Due to odd shifts at his Fort Campbell assignment, he was able to work out 2 and sometimes 3 times a day at Song's dojang, again, indicative of a level of dedication that is truly rare in the martial arts world!

In 1997, he added to his martial arts repertoire Combat Hapkido, which he studied under renowned expert John Pellegrini. He continued this dual-path of martial arts study, (Taekwondo and Hapkido - two of Korea's native combat systems), until 1998 when the military call of duty took him to the deserts of Kuwait.

During his 6 months in Kuwait, Master Hale had the opportunity to study Taekwondo under Grand Master Oh. Upon his return to Clarksville later that year, he founded Stars and Stripes Defensive Arts with his friend and associate Master Chris McMahan.

Stars & Stripes Defensive Arts moved to the facilities at the Clarksville YMCA in September of 2001, and in December 2002 became affiliated with the United States National Taekwondo Federation, (USNTF).

The level of devotion and dedication to his martial arts training that has contributed to his mastery of multiple styles, is also evident in the attention he pays to each of his students. He has been known to meet individually with students outside of normal class time to help them master their techniques, all the while continuing to serve the Fort Campbell community as a Fire-Fighter, and heeding the call of duty to his country as a Drill Instructor in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Leading by example, Master Hale embodies the Taekwondo tenets of "Courtesy," "Integrity," "Perseverance," "Self-Control," and "Indomitable Spirit" that serve as the foundation of Taekwondo training. As a leader of soldiers, overseer of the Stars & Stripes Defensive Arts' team of instructors and assistants, and teacher and mentor to the YMCA's growing martial arts student population, Master Hale serves as a positive force in our community, and in our country. 

This site designed and maintained by Ben Garen.

Last updated on 10/07/04.