That was the beginning of a mission to have the entire army qualified during Many more units have since done the training, and qualification programs will be maintained for all incoming soldiers in future. Army combatives training has never before been given this level of importance, nor has it ever been truly systematic. In years past, the army has used a multitude of different hand-to-hand combat courses and training programs.
Most programs were unrelated, so each one required practitioners to learn an entirely new skill set. To quote an old adage from the Eastern martial arts, the weapon is an extension of the body. That applies even when teaching soldiers how to use their bodies to fight in close quarters.
The ACP also delivers continuity, as all close-combat training is now aligned. There are different course units to cater for operational needs, but all are built on the same principles. Rather than being seen as different courses, there is one program with different levels, all of which incorporate the modern combat-shooting practices now being implemented across the army.
In realistic terms, that means being efficient and effective at applying a small number of reliable and adaptable techniques. And of course those go-to moves must also be underpinned by a set of equally reliable and adaptable principles. Before MSD was reintroduced, hand-to-hand combat training in the army had waxed and waned over the years. Whatever sporadic training was undertaken tended to be greatly influenced by the martial arts background of the chief instructor at the time.
That is, to provide a standardised, hybrid martial art suitable for use across the entire army. Army leaders hoped that this would bring back the concept of the close fight and better enable soldiers to utilise personal weapons and unarmed combat — must-have skills for the modern battlefield, which often has no front or flanks. A lot of work went into laying out the new master trainer course, Guden said. One primary focus was the tactical application of combatives, Guden said.
This includes fighting while wearing body armor and a helmet and armed with a rifle while in a closed room, he said. We don't want it just to be in a gym with pads. We want it to be everywhere where soldiers train. Because two four-week courses are now being merged into one, some blocks of instruction likely will be eliminated while others will be filtered down to the basic and tactical combatives courses, also formerly known as Level I and Level II training, Guden said.
For example, some basic striking techniques likely will be moved down to the tactical combatives course, said Staff Sgt. Brandon Sayles, a senior instructor at the combatives schoolhouse. The schoolhouse is "in the process of transitioning some of the techniques," and changes are expected in the basic and tactical courses, Sayles said.
Officials also likely will require previously certified trainers to be recertified, he said. Based on when the soldier was certified and the level of his ongoing involvement with the combatives program, he will either have to complete the whole four-week course or attend a shorter refresher, he said. Right now, officials are considering this requirement for soldiers who were certified before , Sayles said.
Staff Sgt. As more and more urban warfare came into play, the need to train for combatives was focused on. Matt was a former Marine who was stationed in Japan and trained with some of the best martial arts masters.
As Matt trained soldiers in the art of combatives, his Army fame spread. In , the training manual that Matt had written was published by the Army as Field Manual There are 4 different courses taught at the Army Combatives School.
It has been deemed that each and every soldier in service with the United States Army will complete at the very least, Course 1.
The Army makes sure that soldiers are highly adept at combatives. The main reasons that soldiers are taught combatives are to educate soldiers in how to protect themselves in situations that do not involve firearms, to provide non-lethal maneuvers for use on battlefields and to instill warrior instincts so soldiers show the necessary response without wavering. There are 3 options a soldier must decide when in a combative encounter, They are:.
Disengage from non-weapon battle to regain a position to utilize a projectile weapon. Army Combatives School covers a wide range of areas. They consist of:. The intro covers the definition and purposes of combatives. It also shows basic principles and safety. This area covers all the areas of coverage for proper training in combatives. This covers all the areas of ground fighting from mounts, guards, headlocks and more.
This covers a more advanced version of the prior area. It goes further into proper attack methods. This delves into good take-down techniques from different positions, and how to throw an enemy from multiple positions. This covers knives, bayonets, poles, sticks and even your shovel. Almost anything can be used as a weapon. In this area, the soldier learns the different options and techniques when up against more than 1 enemy. One of the best ways for soldiers to become great at combative techniques through competitions.
There are 4 different levels of competition that is used for training purposes. Basic competition. This is for the squad or platoon level, and for trainees. Army combatives training takes place at Fort Benning. MACP training also instills the military's "warrior ethos," the Army says.
This is a creed that says: "I will always place the mission first, I will never accept defeat, I will never quit, and I will never leave a fallen comrade. The special operatives combatives course says combatives training is based on a Brazilian form of Jiu-Jitsu, with added maneuvers and tactics where that martial art didn't provide enough of an edge. According to the Fort Benning Training Center , basic training in Army combatives is level one, lasting five days.
Level two is 10 days and builds on the skills of the first level. Both levels now incorporate quick strikes and other moves formerly taught at higher levels and allow soldiers to subdue an opponent without taking them to the ground. Here's some of what's on the five-day schedule, according to Fort Benning :. To complete level one MACP training, you have to meet the Army combatives graduation requirements, which the Army lists online:. Fraser Sherman has written about every aspect of working life: the importance of professional ethics, the challenges of business communication, workers' rights and how to cope with bullying bosses.
He lives in Durham NC with his awesome wife and two wonderful dogs. You can find him online at frasersherman. By Fraser Sherman Updated July 29,
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