Skip Leonard

Skip is a graduate of USC and was in the U.S. Navy for 24 years. During his navy career, he was a fighter pilot and flight instructor in F-8 and F-14 fighter aircraft and flew over 150 combat missions over North Vietnam. His numerous medals include three Meritorious Service Medals, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 13 Strike Flight Air Medals, six individual Air Medals, and 11 other medals for Vietnam and subsequent service. He is now a Program Manager for the Northrop Grumman Corporation.

"Skip" Leonard has been teaching Tae Kwan Do class for Escondido Recreation for the past 18 years. His goal is to help students develop respect, physical and mental discipline, strength, endurance and coordination by providing well rounded instruction in the Korean martial arts of Tae Kwon do (kicks, blocks punching), Hapkido (joint locking techniques), Yudo (throwing and grappling) and basic weapons (Escrima). The teaching of basic self-defense techniques provide the students with more confidence to go about their daily lives.