GM Smith started his training 28 years ago in Cha Yon Ryu in Houston, Texas with Grandmaster Kim Soo. Moving to Illinois in 1984 GM Smith changed styles to Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Han Cha Kyo, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do under Gen Choi Hong Hi. GM Han founded the Universal Tae Kwon Do Federation. GM Han passed away in 1996, but his high ranking students continue to operate the UTF. While studying Tae Kwon Do Master Smith started his training in Kenpo and Hapkido. Master Smith studied Kyuki-Do and Hapkido with Grandmaster Ok Hyung Kim, 9th Dan founder of the American Kyukido Federation and Grand Master Greg Whipple.

Master Smith has trained with some top martial artist over the years. Having trained in Villari's Kempo with Master Hugh McLaughlin, Hapkido with Master Greg Whipple and Ok Hyung Kim, Tae Kwon Do with Grandmaster Ki Hong Kim, 8th Dan, Grandmaster Andrew Davies, 9th Dan, Grandmaster Brent Fuller, 8th Dan Tae Kwon do and 9th Dan founder of the Taeken-Jitsu system, Grandmaster Thomas Perry, 8th Dan, Grandmaster William Valdes, 8th Dan and Arnis Instructor, Grm Whipple Hapkido and Grm Duk Gun Kwon, 9th Dan TKD/HKD, Grm. J. McMurray, 8th Dan Hapkido ( advisor).

Master Smith’s current instructors includes:
- Grand Master Duk Gun Kwon, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do, 9th Dan Hapkido and founder of the United States National Tae Kwon Do Federation, and the World Traditional Hapkido Alliance.
- Grand Master Brent Fuller 9th Dan, Taeken-Jitsu
- Grand Master James McMurray, 8th Dan Hapkido, 8th Dan Tae Kwon Do, Founder House of Discipline

In 2001 Master Smith was chosen to run the Taeken-Jitsu system founded by Soke Brent Fuller, 9th Dan (Ku-Dan) and awarded the title of Soke-Dai and 8th Degree Black Belt (Hachi-Dan) and President of the International Taeken-Jitsu Society.

Master Smith is the founder of the United Martial Arts Society founded in 1999 with the sole purpose of forming a non-political organization for all stylists. The UMAS is now in five states and Canada. Master Smith has promoted nine "Masters" since 2004 (see the UMAS Dan Registry) within in the UMAS with numerous black belt certifications in various arts.

Master Smith founded the Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido system in 2001 and the United Hapkido Federation Ko Shin Kwan in that same year. Ko Shin Kwan is recognized by the Jae Mu Kwan Hapkido Assoc., and the World Il Do Kwan Federation. Ko Shin Kwan is not a new martial art or a new form of Hapkido. It is based on new theories and approaches to teaching and learning Hapkido. Ko Shin Kwan translates to “School of the Open Mind" meaning we acknowledge the traditions handed down by the founders, but we believe things have to change to adapt to modern times.

Grandmaster Smith is also the founder of the AijitsuDo Martial Art that has been developed with the sole purpose of pure self defense based system. As an eclectic martial art of Kenpo, JuJutsu, Chin Na, Kung Fu and Stick Fighting.

Master Smith continues to teach classes and seminars while keeping up with the growth of the United Martial Arts Society and the Universal Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido Federation. Master Smith continues to train in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Taeken-Jitsu, Kenpo and JuJutsu.

Master Smith's Black Belt ranks and certifications:
- 8th Dan Taeken-Jitsu
- 7th Dan Tae Kwon Do (WIF)
- 7th Dan ISA Tae Kwon Do
- 6th Dan Hapkido (WIF)
- 6th Dan Kenpo (AKWA)
- 4th Dan Ju Jutsu (Black Arts Society)
- 2nd Dan Kyukido (AKF)


For more about Grandmaster Troy Smith, Jr, please visit mas.biz

Picture and info provided by Master Troy Smith.