Saya Gustavo Santa is a 5th Level of Achievement (Black Belt) under American Bando Association. He has over 30 years of experience. Saya has served two war tours in Iraq as a combat corpsman (medic)  with an infantry battalion as a platoon corpsman. Previously, he was a paratrooper for 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company  (ANGLICO).

He served on the editorial team for the ABA's publications the Crossed Swords & monthly newsletter from 2013 until 2016.

Saya Gustavo Santa & Saya Dave Rucker traveled to Burma (Myanmar) to further their martial arts training & for an up close understanding of Burmese culture, customs & traditions.

Saya is employed by the Saint Lucie County Fire District as a Firefighter/Paramedic.

He is an active member of the Marine Corps League Jack Ivy Detachment # 666.