The history of Close Quarters Defense (CQD) begins with Mr. Dieter’s initial martial arts education, which started at age 15, leading him to train diligently under multiple instructors in various systems. 

As Mr. Dieter progressed in age and broadened his experience, he deeply appreciated the skills he had learned, but recognized that many of the components were more choreographed and/or sport based, lacking the intensity and capability of a motivated adversary with criminal intent. When he had to utilize these skills in defense situations, the techniques did not apply.

In 1980, Mr. Dieter served on a local police department, which allowed him to experience the various duties of law enforcement as well as the techniques and tactics taught. He witnessed similar, unrealistic methods being utilized in training, in preparation for criminal attacks as well as apprehension and arrest. Mr. Dieter also recognized that his firearms training introduced further inconsistencies and contradictions to these methods. Their skills were more focused on target or sport shooting and were not applicable under stress, relevant to the high-risk engagement, nor did they integrate with unarmed techniques. This prompted him to train more extensively, travel to numerous schools and camps, enter competitions, and earn several black belts. Significantly influenced and encouraged by a dear friend, he continued his search traveling throughout the Eastern United States. Mr. Dieter then traveled to the Orient, the birthplace of systemized martial arts, to find a master who could answer his questions and teach him the skills of the high-risk fight. He sought a mentor who was not only a good fighter, but also a man of integrity who lived his life with honor.

His quest led him to Hong Kong, Okinawa, and Taiwan. After studying with a number of different senior instructors he found that, though very challenging, rewarding, as well as culturally enriching, the training lacked the high-risk focus that he desired. Finally, an elder master with a very rich lineage and remarkable martial history, who understood Mr. Dieter’s quest told him, “What you’re looking for does not exist. You must develop it yourself. It must be your purpose.”

Upon returning to America in 1981, Mr. Dieter continued to train and teach martial arts, earning additional black belts and achieving advanced degrees in those previously earned, while privately beginning the process of developing the CQD System. The critical component during this initial period was his creation of the Hooded Box™ which validated in a short period of time that his CQD skills were significantly different from his past training. He coined the term Training Scars™ to signify the infractions that occurred under stress by training in both operational and nonoperational skills. He recognized that the specificity and focus of the life and death fight demanded his complete dedication and attention. Mr. Dieter then completely removed himself from his previous training and exclusively committed himself to the CQD System. To guide him throughout this nine-year development and help him remain steadfast to what he envisioned, Mr. Dieter established numerous tenets, a few of which include:

The system must be designed for the high-risk fight.

When skills are used, they must be justifiable and used with appropriate force control in all situations.

All unarmed and armed skills must integrate with no contradictions.

All skills must be accountable and sustainable.

Tactics and techniques must be validated under realistic pressure of the fight.

Skills must be effective in every situation and environment, both in personal defense and professional operations.

As the system evolved, Mr. Dieter knew that these skills should only be utilized with conscience, purpose, and for lawful and righteous reasons. He also recognized the inherent value, capability, and advantages that the CQD skills provided, therefore he undertook various measures to keep the techniques private and out of the hands of criminals or those who would use the skills inappropriately.

CQD was first utilized operationally when Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents recruited Mr. Dieter as a member of the newly formed Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, which was investigating cocaine trafficking on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He was locally deputized by the Talbot County Sheriff’s Department (and later by the Caroline County Sheriff's Department) and federally deputized by the DEA. Using the CQD System to fight the drugs that degraded his community, Mr. Dieter worked with a variety of local and federal agencies in training, surveillance, intelligence gathering, search warrant service, room entry, raid planning, debriefing and controlling confidential informants, and high-risk felony arrests. He was also actively involved in patrol, undercover operations, SWAT, and VIP/Informant Protection. During this time he also served as a Reserve Offi