After a short stint with Okinawan Karate, Matt Stennett began training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in February of 1995 under John Orth.  When the Jinenkan was founded in 1996, Matt gave up his then Nidan (2^nd degree black belt) ranking in the Bujinkan to train under Manaka-Sensei in the Jissen Kobudo Jinenkan.  He was an attendee of the first Jinenkan Seminar, and started completely over as a white belt, re-learning much of what he thought he already knew in the way it was originally meant to be taught.  He worked his way up through the ranks and was granted Dojo Cho (head of school) status in February of 2004.  He currently holds the rank of yondan (4th degree black belt).

            In addition to training in the Jinenkan, he trains with and competes in  IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association), Highpower and Long Range Rifle, and 3-gun (“action” pistol, shotgun, and rifle) matches in an effort to expand his training to some more modern weapons as well.