Hanshi Stephen F. Kaufman commenced his extensive career in the martial arts in 1958, when he began studying karate on Okinawa while serving in the United States Air Force. He became one of the first U.S. Air Force karate instructors under the auspices of the American Karate Federation, accredited by the prestigious Japan Karate Association. Kaufman began teaching in New York City in 1961 and continues to this day, making him one of the "founding fathers" of American karate.
