Master Charles (Charlie) H. Phillips III started training in karate in 1971 at the age of seventeen. He studied Shotokan Japanese style under the Golden Cobra Society. In September 1973 he began his studies in American Tang Soo Do at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida with Dr. John Kistler.

Master Phillips left in 1975 to pursue his academic studies (VCU) and in 1976, started training in American Open Style Karate under Danny Wilson. He was hired as an assistant instructor until the school closed in 1980 when he began training Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido with Master Dung in Richmond, Virginia.

He moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1987 to continue to his studies under Dr. John Kistler and has since dedicated his life to the Martial Arts and American Tang Soo Do.

In 2004 he received permission from the Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) and Grandmaster John Kistler to form the American Tang Soo Do Club.  Said Master Phillips, "It is nice to have a place where I can produce long term goals and have the support and facilities of this school".

Professor Charlie Phillips is also the faculty advisor and master instructor at FSCJ as well as the official historian for the National American Tang Soo Do Association while he currently continues studying under Grandmaster Hadley “Corky” Caraway and Dr. John Kistler.

As historian, Master Phillips continues his research for anyone who has studied, worked with and had knowledge or relationship with Dr. John Kistler, Ret CMDR, USN.