AMERICAN BLACK BELT ACADEMY

FOUNDER / DIRECTOR

 

Randy McElwee is the owner / director of GRACIE® Jiu Jitsu Athens - Team Pedro Sauer at American Black Belt Academy. He is a retired Master Sergeant (MSG) and decorated Special Forces combat veteran in the U.S. Army. His military experience includes service with 3rd Ranger Bn and with 5TH Special Forces Group during the unit's participation in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, and Afghanistan during Operation "Enduring Freedom". As well as serving on top secret, classified Special Category missions, combat experience and service in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia , Kuwait, Iraq, Central America, Kenya, and Panama. Awarded the Legion of Merit for service that included action during Operation “Enduring Freedom” as the senior NCO responsible for the planning, direction, and execution of a Joint Chief of Staff directed special category classified project. During his time in Special Forces he was critically responsible for bringing the Gracies in to teach techniques and develop the unarmed and knife combatives program for the Special Forces. He is the Director of the Special Operations Combative Arts Association and has been training and teaching Martial Arts for over 30 years, his unique instructional experience includes; appearing as a featured author in Black Belt Magazine and as featured Instructor in the Special Operations Combatives Instructional Video / DVD Series.