How do we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe? How is home a safe place for us? Our schools? Our workplaces? Our favorite restaurants? In 2025 we generally all have the lights, the locks, and the cameras; the windows, the doors, the fences, and even dogs that could help secure these places. Where we may be lacking is in not recognizing what they are for and then not using them. It’s because we don’t want to think about someone coming to take our stuff; about someone coming to do us harm. We hope that law enforcement will take care of all that.
Martin Castellanos served in American law enforcement for 34 years in two agencies, on three continents and the seas between them. In the United States Coast Guard, one of our nation’s first law enforcement services, Martin first served as a law enforcement officer in the late 1980s. By 1995 he was instructing others for these missions; primarily in the areas of self-defense and enforcement tactics. By the time he retired in 2014 Martin’s students included local, county, state, and federal law enforcement, U.S. military leaders, and allied personnel. In 2001, Martin served as an officer for the Boca Raton Police Services Department until retirement in 2021, overlapping with his Coast Guard reserve years. He was an accomplished trainer there as well.
In 2020, Martin founded UMTC: Self Defense Education, Training & Consulting. Through educational talks, CPTED security assessments, and private lessons or group classes in defensive tools, Martin helps good people mitigate risk for themselves and their loved ones. Here’s his message for you:
First: Take full advantage of your security hardware—that’s just common sense but also be aware of your surroundings.
Second: Note when something is missing or out of place. “See Something, Say Something” in your neighborhood, at school, at work, in your favorite restaurant. This accelerates response to terror events, active threats, violent crimes, and even fire or medical emergencies. Otherwise, security hardware is just for show.
Third: Don’t wait for an emergency to decide how you will protect yourself before first responders arrive. You may have to be your own first responder. That means developing your mindset as well as your skillset. Whether you choose a local martial arts school (jiu-jitsu and krav maga are very popular), or if you arm yourself with a tool (pepper spray, a stun gun, a firearm), you must be responsible. Train regularly and review Florida Law before you use what you’ve learned. A self-defense incident could change your life forever. Ensure you are adequately prepared.
Got more questions about security? Contact Martin using UMTC’s website, UMTC-INSTRUCTOR.com. Attend one of his periodic free seminars and bring all your questions. If you have training goals for self defense, protecting your loved ones, securing your home or securing your business; book a meeting with Martin to plan the path to those goals.
And get home safe!
