TTEscrima

I've not heard much complaining about Boxing, Wrestling or Judo, they all have their place in sport AND combatives but the BJJ component is poorly thought out and will result in getting you killed as a soldier or LEO. Take a look at the FM, not only do they teach things like techniques for passing the guard, one of them actually involves pushing on the abdomen while digging the elbow into the inside of the leg. If you have room to do that you have room to strike the groin. However, since that's against the MMA rule book it doesn't exist in the BJJ curriculum and now that technique is being taught to soldiers who will be fighting people who don't play by the sport rule book. Dumbshit like that gets people killed and it's the reason people object to the changes.

A quote from Col. Applegate's Kill or get Killed

"One school of thought, in unarmed combat circles, advocates
first closing with the enemy, throwing him to the ground, then dispatching him. The other, and most successful, insists that blows used to down the opponent are preferable to throws, and that they can be taught to and used by the average man much more speedily. Naturally, throws will have to be used in many instances; but actual combat has shown that well-placed blows by the hands or feet, in many instances, can accomplish the desired result more quickly and more easily. Two good general rules in unarmed combat are:

(1) Keep your opponent at arm’s length by the use of hand
and foot blows. Many times, when you are in a position to
start to close with an opponent so as to throw or trip him,
you will be able to use blows instead. (2) Avoid, if at all
possible, going to the ground with your adversary. Try to
avoid getting close to him. Being close, you will not have
room to see what he is up to or be able to work with the best effect. If you are smaller than your opponent and go
to the ground with him, his superior weight and strength will
always give him an advantage, whether he utilizes it or not.
The danger of being stunned upon impact with the ground
surface also presents a good reason for not closing with the
opponent if it can be avoided"

Now check out these quotes from FM3 21-150:

"Basic ground-fighting techniques build a fundamental understanding of dominant body position, which should be the focus of most combatives training before moving on to the more difficult standing techniques. Ground fighting is also where technique can most easily be used to overcome size and strength."

It even goes further to say:

"Strikes are an inefficient method of ending a fight. However, they are a significant part of most fights, and a soldier must have an understanding of fighting at striking range. It is important to note that while at striking range, you are open to being struck. For this reason, it is often better to avoid striking range."

I agree that WWII combatives are not the end all and be all of combat, but they're infinitely better than bjj. If you're close enough to grapple your opponent is close enough to strike, bite, stab, slash, etc. Whether you are trained to deal with knives or not, grappling makes them harder to defend against. You can lose awareness or control of an arm, that arm can be used to draw a knife. I would rather have a little distance between me and a knife.

I am NOT saying grappling should not be practiced. If you can't fight on the ground then that's precisely where you will find yourself. I simply disagree with much of what is being taught. Passing the guard is not essential, escaping the guard, yes, but not passing it, many of the methods they are teaching are not combat oriented, they're sport oriented. For example, one technique consists of the soldier pressing on the stomach of the enemy and sitting upright on his knees. Then he passes the leg over a shoulder, etc. At no time in the in the lesson does the soldier strike. The entire sequence should contain multiple shots to the groin. There are numerous other ways to escape the guard that are more applicable to combat.

As far combative sports go, I love them. They are a great way to keep in shape and they teach you to learn to overcome some pain in a controlled environment. However, soldiers should already have these traits.