Head Instructor

Sean "Silverback" Stoopman

Sean is the head instructor and founder of Silverback Academy. In addition to over 25 years of martial arts experience, Sean also spent 7 years serving as an executive protection specialist for corporations and a close quarter combat instructor for protection professionals.

Over the years Sean has been sought out to train everyone from members of the FBI, DEA, DHS, local and federal law enforcement agencies, The Department of the Army, Navy Law Enforcement, Air Force and Marines, Department of State Diplomatic Security, Private Executive Protection Teams, and private citizens looking to increase their situational awareness, Close Quarter Combat skills, and specialized training for their unique needs.

Below is a Brief List of Training, Certifications & Associations:

Martial Arts Ranks:

2nd Degree Black Belt ACQC

Adaptive Close Quarter Combat

Chief Law Enforcement & Military Instructor

Force Training Division CQC and Defensive tactics Instructor

Edged Weapons Instructor

Weapons Retention Instructor

2nd Degree Black Belt Krav Maga

Phase 2 Instructor

One of only 6 in the United States

Women’s Self Defense Instructor

Combat Ground fighting instructor

Law Enforcement Krav Maga Instructor certified

Military Krav Maga Instructor Certified

Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Affiliate of Tom DeBlass BJJ

Black Belt from Professor Tom Deblass

Brown Belt from Professor Chris Haueter /Team Combat Base

Purple Belt from Professor Roy Dean

AMOK! Combatives Instructor

Certified Directly by AMOK! Founder Tom Sotis

Real world functional combatives focusing on the short blade

The only AMOK! Instructor teaching in Virginia and one of only 13 in the world

Level Two Filipino Martial Arts Instructor Under Sifu Roy Harris

Level Two FMA Instructor under Harris International

Edged weapons, blunt weapons and empty hand methods

Blend of Kali, Arnis and Escrima Training

3rd Degree Black Belt Full Contact Kickboxing

Israeli Full Contact Kickboxing

Highest American ever certified in the system

Contemporary JKD PFS-DOM instructor under Paul Vunak

Filipino Knife and Stick (Kali)

Empty handed Filipino boxing

Jeet Kune Do Instructor

RAT instructor (Rapid Assault Tactics)

ETGS instructor (Escape To Gain Safety, women’s self-defense)

Edged & Blunt Weapons instructor

2nd Degree Black Belt Freestyle Kickboxing

World Black Belt Bureau certified black belt instructor & lifetime member

Senior Combat Ground Fighting Instructor

Israeli Krav and Ground Fighting Association

Silat instructor

Training Group Instructor under Guru Burton Richardson in Silat

Associations & Affiliations:

Founder & Head of the Force Training & Executive Protection Division of Adaptive Close Quarter Combat

Certified Master Bodyguard Instructor

Member: Filipino Combat Systems under Guro Ray Dionaldo

Certified Firearms Instructor

Member: American Association of Bodyguards and Protection Instructors

Certified Personal Fitness and Group Fitness Instructor

Member of the Thai Boxing Association of America

Member of Descendants of the Masters Contemporary Jeet Kune Do Association

World Black Belt Bureau certified Instructor in Krav Maga & Full Contact Kickboxing

Team Combat Base Affiliated MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Harris International Certified Filipino Martial Arts Affiliate and Instructor

Israeli Krav International Certified Black belt Instructor and Affiliate

Member JKD Unlimited under Sifu Burton Richardson

Member and Training Group Leader for Silat For the Streets Under Guro Burton Richardson

Our Instructors