He joined the United States Marine Corps on January 12, 1950 and fought in the battle Chosin Reservoir (27 November to 13 December 1950).
[7][8] Long married Doris Witsberger on October 18, 1952, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the couple had three sons, Richard, Michael, and Gary.
While stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan from July 1957 to August 1958, he petitioned to study Isshinryu under Tatsuo Shimabuku in Chan (Kyan) Village.
Long proposed the majority the competition rules with John Keehan, Phil Koeppel, George Mattson, Anthony Mirakian, Roy Oshiro, Don Nagle, Ed Parker, Kim Reeves, Wendell Reeves, Jhoon Rhee, Mas Tsuruoka and Robert Trias also in the committee.
[1][3] Returning to Okinawa in 1974, Long's plans for the International Isshin-ryu Karate Association (IIKA), gained the endorsement of Tatsuo Shimabuku before his passing in 1975.
[10][11] In addition to teaching at his Knoxville, Tennessee dojo, Long published a series of books and instructional videotapes.