Founder and Lead instructor

Sal Sanfratello is a native New Yorker with an eclectic and extensive history of training and experience. As a young adult he received extensive military training at the elite military high school Xavier Academy in New York City. He holds undergraduate degrees in History and International Relations from Purdue University and an MBA from Phoenix University. He works as a Project Manager and spends his evenings and weekends teaching and working for Aegis. He founded the company in 2000 as an IT service and training organization. Over the years it has expanded to include training in several of his areas of interest and expertise. Above all he derives satisfaction from teaching and observing his students as they gain skill and incorporate the resulting competence and self-confidence into all areas of their lives.

Aegis Academy of Swordsmanship

Sal was trained in Sicilian swordsmanship by his father and grandfather, who were trained by their fathers and grandfathers in a family tradition dating from the founding of the family in 1096. He has supplemented this training with US Army hand-to-hand combat technique, childhood training in jiu-jitsu and many years of experience in the to create a well-rounded training program in western martial arts. He started teaching what he knew casually on a lawn in Ypsilanti in approximately 1996, moved on to offer training to SCA fighters and later to college students and finally incorporated martial arts instruction into Aegis Consulting in 2003. Thus far he has trained nearly 100 swordfighters through the Aegis Academy, and many more previous to its founding. He has also personally trained Aegis' other instructors.

Outdoorsmanship

Sal's extensive knowledge of outdoor survival and navigation comes from his military training and many years of personal research and experience. He has always enjoyed the challenge nature provides to humans without modern technology and teaches his students to meet it simply: armed with will, knowledge and minimal equipment instead of bulky, expensive commercial gear.

Leadership

As an experienced manager and entrepreneur with a BA in History, an MBA and a strong personal interest in the history, technique and psychology of leadership, Sal has been offering leadership training through Aegis Consulting since 2004.

Firearms Training

Sal began learning about firearms at an early age from his family, several of whom were New York City policemen. His military training filled in any gaps and he became a marksmanship instructor while at Purdue University where two of his students qualified for the Olympics. In 2005 he became an NRA-certified pistol safety and marksmanship instructor and has been offering training in firearms safety, marksmanship and self-defense since that time.

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