Mr. Derek Materkowski

Derek Materkowski is a Certified Instructor in Combat Hapkido, and currently assists with instruction for Defensive Response Training and Mountain Hapkido and Self Defense.  DRT was formed because of a need for quality, reality based training, which was flexible and practical enough for use in real world situations.

Derek began his study of the Martial Arts when he was 4 years old at the American Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido Academy.  His initial studies were in Tae Kwon Do and traditional weapons.  His first instructor was his father, Master Steve Materkowski.  Derek engaged in competitive sparring and was the CO State Champion, in his age and belt category, for several years.  His Martial Arts training has been expanded by study with various Grandmaster and Master Instructors, such as Grandmaster John Pellegrini, Guru Tuan Willem de Thouars, Master Carlson Gracie, Master Julius Melegrito, W. Hock Hochheim and others.  He also continues to attend seminars and clinics on various combative systems.  He began a serious study of Combat Hapkido and Combative Stick in 1999.  He is a 3rd Dan Black Belt and is currently studying for his 4st Dan Black Belt in Combat Hapkido.  Derek was promoted to 1st Dan Black Belt in Combat Hapkido, by Grandmaster Pellegrini, in April of 2005, making him the youngest ICHF Black Belt, at 13 years of age.  Derek has been awarded a full scholarship for Air Force ROTC and plans to pursue a career in Special Operations with the U.S. Air Force.

With respect to firearms training, Derek began shooting and hunting, with his father, at the age of 4.  He has been an active shooter and outdoorsman since that time.  Formal firearms training began with his father and continue under the direction of Andy Stanford, President of Options for Personal Security (OPS), Craig Douglas and the staff of Defensive Response Training.

Current Certifications Firearms Assistant Instructor, Pistol – Options for Personal Security Assistant Instructor, Tactical Rifle – Options for Personal Security Martial Arts 3rd Dan Black Belt, Combat Hapkido 2nd Dan Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do Certified Instructor, ICHF Certified Instructor, ITA Assistant Instructor, Ground Survival Firearms Courses and Training Completed Options for Personal Security Level One Defensive Handgun (2003) Tactical Pistol (2003) Tactical Dynamics, Pistol (2004, 2007, 2008, 2010) Surgical Speed Shooting (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009) Two Man Tactics (2006) Point Blank Pistol Craft (2005) Tactical Carbine (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) Tactical Shotgun  (2004, 2005) Close Quarters Combatives  (Lt. Craig Douglas, Shiv Works) Extreme Close Quarters Concepts, Pistol, Level I (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010) Extreme Close Quarters Concepts, Pistol, Level II (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010) In Extremis Knife, IEK (2005, 2006, 2008) Practical Unarmed Combatives, PUC (2007, 2010) Armed Movement In Structures/Low Light Tactics (August, 2008, Camp Shelby) Progressive Force Concepts (Fighting with Firearms) Tactical Pistol (2006) Tactical Carbine (2006) Close Quarters Combatives, W. Hock Hochheim Force on Force Training “Shooting on the Move” Multiple Attackers, Firearms Other Qualifications / Certifications Search and Rescue Ground Team Member, Level 1, CAP Auxiliary Deputy, Park County Sheriff’s Office