The Interview
Question 1 - Where were you born?
Brandon Robinson - I was born in Sandusky, Ohio.
Question 2 - What school(s) did you attend?
Brandon Robinson - I graduated from Bellevue Senior High School in Bellevue, Ohio. Later, I graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training in Wilkesboro, NC.
Question 3 - What did you do after graduating?
Brandon Robinson - After high school, I was really chomping at the bit to enlist in the military, only to be talked out of it by my mom. A decision I really regret to this day. Instead, I did some factory work in northern Ohio, was in Insurance sales, and later sold cell phones. It wasn’t until several years later after moving to North Carolina where I finally leaned into the urge to serve the community that I began my law enforcement career.
Question 4 - What was your first job?
Brandon Robinson - My very first job was washing dishes at a KFC/A&W Root Beer restaurant while I was in high school. I got pretty fat on free fried chicken and draft root beer floats.
Question 5 - What do you do for a living?
Brandon Robinson - I’m currently a sworn law enforcement officer, a law enforcement instructor, and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach.
Question 6 - What inspired you to pursue your job?
Brandon Robinson - Like most guys in my generation- I was incensed by the acts of 9/11 and wanted, more than anything, to make the military a career. The thought of that was something my mother just was not at all a fan of, being I was her only son. But, the urge to want to help others through service never really left my mind. At first, I tried to become a fireman in northern Ohio but the local fire academy was struggling to get enough students to start a class. So I withdrew. Fast forward to 2012, I moved to North Carolina with my (then) wife. I almost immediately enrolled in BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Academy and went to 9 months of night classes for it while working full-time, and eventually graduated top of my class, academically.Â
Question 7 - How would you describe Woobies in 3 words?
Brandon Robinson - Rugged, Dependable, Quality.
Question 8 - What are some of your accomplishments?
Brandon Robinson - When I moved to NC, after a few back surgeries and years of awful eating, I was fat. Like 300 pounds fat. Even after graduating BLET and going to work in law enforcement I stayed big and got back up to 300 pounds once I started working. Eventually, I decided enough was enough. I threw out all of my food, every bit of it. Then started doing a strict ketogenic diet and lost 120 pounds in about 8 months. It was a bit extreme, but probably the proudest accomplishment I’ve made.
In law enforcement training one day during domestic violence practical- I had my ass handed to me by an instructor who was a Doctor 1 wrestler. I immediately sought out a grappling coach and got hooked up with Joe Hurst, who learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the Gracie family in Brazil. I tried a class and was immediately hooked. I’ve been training ever since and now have a Brown Belt.
A few years ago, I went to the arduously difficult North Carolina Criminal Justice Instructor School and got my certification as a Law Enforcement Instructor for the state of North Carolina- and currently have a Sheriff Training and Standards Certificate as well. Now I teach new, and current, detention officers and do’seo’s and get to sometimes be the wake-up call for others that the instructor who kicked my ass was for me.
Question 9 - What are your goals and aspirations?
Brandon Robinson - I’d love to one day move into investigations for the agency I work at. I’ve only been working as an LEO for about 8 years, but have worked in the jail, serving civil papers, doing court security, and have been on patrol the longest. But I love the cerebral aspect of investigations works much more than being a reactionary force.Â
Eventually, I’d love to open my own BJJ/MMA school with an emphasis on training law enforcement and the military. Much more than just being able to control a subject with minimal injury, BJJ really teaches how to think under pressure, and inoculates you against stress, as well as being one of the best fitness programs I’ve seen.Â
Question 10 - Is there anything else you would like to say to our veteran community and customers?Brandon Robinson - Yes, to all the veterans out there- Thank you. America needs you so much more than you may know. This country was built by the blood sweat and tears of our fighting men and women. Society changes constantly and I know it seems like everyone is jaded and takes our vets and what they have done for us for granted- but there are many more people who love and appreciate your sacrifices and will continue to support you no matter what