FLEOA 111 Project

Like jiu-jitsu techniques, teaching is a skill that must be learned, practiced, and continuously improved. A martial artist’s jiu-jitsu talent has no bearing on their ability to teach beyond establishing credibility and a robust knowledge base.

Fortunately, decades of social science, psychology, and neuroscience research provides practical teaching strategies to enhance learning. This six-part series will apply the research to jiu-jitsu instruction and empower instructors to achieve optimal learning with maximum memory retention.

Parts 1 and 2 explain the importance of applying science to instruction, identify the types of learners instructors must address, and apply the science to create a teaching methodology — a systematic process for delivering techniques. Parts 1 and 2 are available now at this link:

https://fleoa111project.org/2026/04/23/the-science-of-teaching-jiu-jitsu-parts-1-2-mass-appeal-and-methodology/

Parts 3 through 6 will be released in upcoming weeks.

IMAGES & TRAINING EVALUATIONS

Huge thanks to everyone who traveled from across the country to train with us at the FLEOA 111 Project Jiu-Jitsu for Law Enforcement Seminar in South Carolina at Chango Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! We are grateful for the opportunity to share jiu-jitsu with fellow law enforcement officers. Here are some photo highlights from the mats, plus real feedback from the student training evaluations:

“The instruction was literally the best I’ve ever experienced.”

“The instructors were amazing, probably the best jiu-jitsu instruction I have ever received.”

“I had more fun than I could have ever imagined.”

“The instructors, and instruction, were far beyond my expectation. I was beyond hesitant about attending this training. Your training has made me a better instructor. For that, I am eternally grateful.”

“Outstanding seminar in every aspect. Brian and Felecia were great individually and as a team. They played off each other very well, making the classes fun and interesting. Their enthusiasm for jiu jitsu was infectious.”

“This seminar truly altered my life for the better. I never thought about joining a BJJ gym until attending the first seminar in Indiana. Now, for the past 15 months I have actively participated in training at minimum 3x a week. It’s almost an obsession at this point.”

“One of the most enjoyable trainings I’ve attended. Brian has been an incredible instructor and Felecia’s ability to specifically connect with the female students was truly impressive. You could see how much they respect her. As a team, you all are inspiring.”

“The facility was great, the instructors were FANTASTIC, and the curriculum was very helpful to my job.”

It’s easy to look at a title like "Lead Instructor" and think you know the scope of someone's job. But when it comes to Brian Bowers and the FLEOA 111 Project, that title barely scratches the surface.

For the incredible seminar we just wrapped up in Charleston at Chango Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Brian was the engine keeping absolutely everything running. He isn't just teaching; he is the website designer, social media manager, head of marketing, program developer, government contractor liaison, payment processor, curriculum developer, and swag designer. Honestly, I’m sure there are a dozen other hats he wore that I’m forgetting.

Over the last six months, Brian has quietly poured full-time hours into making this event a reality. The simple truth is, this week in Charleston would not have happened without his relentless, behind-the-scenes dedication.

The gratitude and debt we owe Brian for his selfless service to the FLEOA 111 Project—and to the officers it serves—is immense and cannot be repaid.

Thank you, Brian, for everything you do.

Sincerely,

Felecia, Larry, and Dave

The 2026 FLEOA 111 Project Jiu-Jitsu for Law Enforcement Seminar in Charleston, South Carolina, was a huge success thanks to the 50 state and federal law enforcement officers who traveled from all over the country to participate in two days of amazing training. President/co-founder Larry Cosme and co-founder Dave Balsamo managed a fantastic training led by Lead Instructor Brian Bowers and Vice President Felecia Bowers. Juan Cosme, a longtime 111 Project advocate, also provided tremendous support and encouragement.

Special thanks to Professor Chris Popdan and Chango Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for being amazing hosts and for providing support to the 111 Project, as well as coaching and encouragement for students. The success of the seminar owes much to your gracious and selfless contributions.

Thank you to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) for their ongoing support, as well as our sponsors and partners who make these trainings possible:

Federal Injury Centers
ProFeds
FedImpact Retirement Workshops by ProFeds
Blauer

Our mission to promote jiu-jitsu among law enforcement officers depends on our generous sponsors, but success is only possible with the dedicated students who filled the mats this week.

If you or your agency would like to host a seminar, contact us at [email protected] and read more about it here:

https://fleoa111project.org/export-training/

Thanks to everyone involved!

* ADDITIONAL SEATS AVAILABLE * for the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu for Law Enforcement Seminar

We reached capacity for the March 26–27, 2026, seminar in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, but we are opening additional seats.

This two-day, no-gi training at Chango Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Summerville, SC) is designed specifically for sworn law enforcement officers. Led by experienced instructors, including a former federal law enforcement officer and BJJ black belt, the program introduces practical ground defense techniques to:

* Achieve and maintain a dominant position
* Safely control subjects in line with use-of-force policies and case law
* Reduce officer injuries and use-of-force incidents through leverage and body manipulation

No prior jiu-jitsu experience is required. Beginners and seasoned practitioners alike will benefit from hands-on training.

Registration is just $100. Registration closes on March 1, 2026.

IMPORTANT: The ONLY way to guarantee your spot is to register here:

https://fleoa111project.org/events/jiu-jitsu-for-law-enforcement-seminar-in-charleston-south-carolina/