Instructor Bio

Master John Scali is the owner and chief instructor of the Self Defense America of Virginia.  The school has been in operation since 1995 (formerly known as the Combat Hapkido Self Defense Club).

With nearly 20 years of self defense and martial arts training, Master Scali has been teaching the Combat Hapkido Self Defense System since 1994.  Currently, Master Scali is an Adjunct Professor at Northern Virginia Community College.  In addition to his expertise in teaching  Combat Hapkido, Master Scali has training in Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, Small Circle Jijutsu and Pressure Point theory and application.

Master Scali is a retired naval officer with over 20 years of active duty service in Naval Intelligence.  He is married to Lorie, his wife of 30 years and they currently reside in Fairfax County, Virginia with their five children.

Awards and Accomplishments:

  • Vice-President of International Combat Hapkido Organization
  • Virginia State Director for the International Combat Hapkido Federation
  • Licensed Master Instructor by the International Combat Hapkido Federation
  • Licensed International Police Defense Tactics Instructor
  • Certified fifth degree Black Belt in Combat Hapkido
  • Certified Ground Survival Instructor
  • Budo Magazine Master of the Year (2006)
  • Inducted in the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame — Regional Instructor of the Year
  • Member of the Internal Self Defense for the Disabled