Master Cyril Stearns began his martial arts training while working in law enforcement and wanted more specialized training in order to protect himself and others. In April 1994 in Saratoga Springs, NY he started training in Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo Kukkiwon. He then moved to Plattsburgh, NY and studied Taekwondo style of Kukkiwon under now GrandMaster Hoen Ha (1980 Korean National Champion) and under his Master Instructors: R. Collins and T. Jubert. During this period he placed 1st in sparring and 2nd Forms at the 1996 Vermont State Games AAU. Master Stearns served in the United States Marine Corps from 1998 to 2003. While in the Marine Corps he served with the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Marine Divisions. Most of his military time was with 2nd BN, 11th Marines (Atry) in S-4/ [Unit Chaser (prisoner transport)]. Combat Veteran in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 2003 part of RCT 5 (famous for the extraction of Jessica Lynch) was the bodyguard for Col. P.J. O’Leary. Master Stearns also taught Marines in his Unit Taekwondo during Physical Training (PT) sessions. Other notable awards was Presidential Unit Citation, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon.  In December 2003 as a Sergeant of Marines, Master Stearns was honorably discharged as a Disabled Veteran with service connected disabilities. While traveling in the Marines and Navy, Master Stearns continued his studies in Taekwondo and Karate (Okinawa) at many different schools under many talented Masters on Military bases, ship, and overseas and in the States.

After his Honorable Discharged he moved to North Dakota and studied Taekwondo under GrandMaster B. Jordheim and Master M. Binstock. During his time in North Dakota he ran two TKD schools under Grand Master Jordheim’s and Master Binstock’s close direction.  During this period he placed 1st in Sparring at the 2006 North Dakota State Games AAU. While living in North Dakota he worked in various law enforcement duties with the Department of Interior and tribal police department; most notably Director of Adult Probation for the Three Affiliated Tribes. He moved to Florida in 2007 to continue working in law enforcement with the Department of Justice. Continuing his training in the Martial Arts he practiced Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do with various Masters before acquiring his own Taekwondo Dojang. In 2018 Master Stearns was presented an award “Recognition of Contributions in the Martial Arts”, from Century Martial Arts Supply. In 2019 Master Stearns was presented Leadership in Taekwondo by the Sokeship Council. In 2021 Black Belt of the Year by the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Currently Master Stearns works for the nation’s largest Federal Prison Complex holding positions as Federal Officer, Unit Secretary, and Religious Services Assistant. Master Stearns currently is a Martial Arts Instructor/Self-Defense Instructor for the DOJ FBOP. 2021 and 2022 Inductee into the Original, U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He currently holds a 5th Dan in ITA under Grand Master John Pellegrini and a 4th Dan in Taekwondo style of Kukkiwon. Master Stearns is continuing training and teaching in Taekwondo and basic Hapkido.