The pursuit of martial art at Tactical Studies Group proceeds through three stages: study, training and practice. The curriculum consists in six categories: philosophy, policy, logistics, strategy, tactics and skills. While the origins of these include a significant component of East Asian tradition, we here in the City of New York are Americans and other citizens of the modern world, living under the protection of the Constitution of the United States. Moreover, the ancient principles of Chinese cosmology which form the basis of the martial traditions of East Asia are not susceptible of understanding by most persons because we do not have access to original source material in its ancient ideographic form.

Therefore, the curriculum at Tactical Studies Group is based on six propositions:

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1. That martial art in all its forms and functions is one thing; fundamental, universal and perennial.

2. That the art is inherently philosophic, political, economic and social in nature.

3. That therefore a capable understanding of technique integrates general principles in a systemic structure, which is common to any and all particular systems of martial art.

4. That the only differences between one method and another are cultural and philosophic ones.

5. That the ancient traditions of martial art have their origins in the ancient templates of governance: tribalism, feudalism and totalitarianism, which rule through aggression and utilize the law as an instrument of despoliation; in short, in the cultures and institutions of tyranny.

6. That the character and conduct of the martial art of the American republic is bound to the service of justice, propriety and dignity through self governance in accord with the principles of individualism, capitalism and empiricism, and that it is so bound by means of a free market, by the institutions and mechanisms of limited autonomy, and by the use of scientific method.