“With the growth of Kocom comes a great responsibility, a responsibility that I take very seriously. Kocom is dedicated to challenging the limits of unconventional tactical training. Our goal is to develop modern warriors, period.”

R. Conde is the founder and Chief Instructor of Kokoro Combatives.  He is recognized as one of the leading instructors in the craft of close quarter combat. He has over twenty years of real world experience in close quarter combat, edged weapons and tactical firearms. Conde’s philosophy is not for sideline coaches. The tactics, concepts and mindset he teaches have been proven  both in the war zone and in the streets. Conde continues to travel throughout the U.S. and South America teaching Kocom’s unique brand of unconventional tactical training to a host of elite units and warrior minded individuals.

Conde’s unwavering dedication to the combat arts began at a young age. The martial arts that he studied included, Aikido (2nd degree black belt), Hok Lung Black Dragon Gung Fu ( 5th degree black belt), Judo, Kali, Chin Na, Wing Chun, Siriat Combat Blade (4th Phase Instrutor) and Iaido. Martial Combat training introduced him to the Code of the Samurai and the eastern mind. He went on to study Zen under Roshi Kapleau in a quest to understand the warrior mind. Conde’s training brought him to an understanding of body and mind as one. As quoted many times , Conde strongly believes “Combat Training without training the mind is a waste of time”.

Shortly after the Gulf War, Conde was recruited by a British Private Military Contractor (PMC) working with the U.S. Department of Defense. He entered a specialized program, training with British Special Air Service (SAS), U.S. Navy SEALs and U.S. Army Green Berets.  The training included Counter Terrorist Tactics, CQB, Waterborne Operations, Tactical Firearms and Force Protection. Conde was promoted to Chief Agent for the South America Region. His team’s job consisted of  intelligence gathering in support of ”Operation Centra Spike” and high risk protection in Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Honduras.  As a team  leader he led three classified high risk/high profile protective operations in South America. Two of the operations were inside the jungles of Colombia and Brazil. Conde was then assigned to the instructor cadre specializing in CQB, Hand to Hand Combat and Tactical Firearms. At that time he also introduced tactical training to several armored truck transport companies in the U.S., South America and Canada. Among over one hundred certifications and commendations, Conde is also certified as a Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor and a Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor. His articles have been published world wide. Conde is recognized  as an expert in the use of firearms, hand to hand combat, edge weapons and domestic terrorism. He has testified as an expert witness in state and federal court. Conde is currently a decorated LE Agent and S.W.A.T. operator engaged in the battle against narcotics and narco trafficking. He  is cross designated with (ICE) U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Blue Lightning Task Force. Daily he is called upon to use his training, skills and mindset. Conde is also the founder of CombatAiki Concepts.

For security reasons certifications, awards and commendations are unpublished.  A complete list is available at