Army Combatives Manual

[Tim Mousel]

Thought this might be of interest...the Army Combatives manual has just been re-written by the brother of one of my students.

http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/at...25.150/toc.htm

[Scott Harper]

interesting how much more in depth the ground fighting part is. Though I think so much of the coverage is unnecessary.

Should have included the use of the TA-50 gear more, and about fighting with helmets on.

I can't think of many bases that have a padded room (especially the walls) to train in. If it is wet outside, have other classes indoors and wait for better weather.

Searching a person should be included also.

[mushinmaster]

Wow, thanks for the link!

[GregG]

I may have some of the older ones around still. I know I have the Civil Disturbances stuff.

[GregG]

d. Chokes. Chokes are the best way to end a fight.
f. Striking. Striking is an inefficient way to incapacitate an enemy.

I think we can see where this is coming from.It does make some interesting assumptions though:
1. You are striking with body parts.
2. There is only one opponent.

You can certainly say that chokes / submissions are the most efficient way to deal with a single opponent in an unarmed contest with restricted rules. I think this changes as you add weapons, remove the restriction on permanently damaging your opponent, and add more opponents. What do y'all think?

[Szczepankiewicz]

I would agree. For one opponent in a secured environment, chokes are awesome. When you grapple with an opponent you severely limit your escape vectors and can get into big trouble with multiple opponents.

Definitly depends on the situation as a whole.

SZ

[Scott Harper]

yes, it sounds kind of biased to me in favoring the ground

I think more emphasis should be on striking, or at least more widely taught. The strikes could set up an opponent for a throw or something.

More joint locks should be added also. They are effective for searching a person, controlling, etc... It's like in civil disturbances, if a rioter is resisting, you let them through the line and the snatch team handles them. Joint locks would be a great advantage there.

Techniques should be taught with gear on also. Grappling is good, but it gets harder when you have canteens and ammo pouches on your side. A helmet comes in handy for a headbutt also. Boots come in handy also to kick a guy in the shins. I'm just saying that they should be taught in a realistic environment also instead of with pt shoes in a controlled environment.

Another good way is to play a game of bull in the ring also. A Samoan taught us that and it buils a good awareness.

Here's an interesting link about a competition between wrestling and jiu-jitsu during Roosevelt's presidency. http://ejmas.com/jcs/jcsart_svinth1_1000.htm

[Scott Harper]

I think it adds more meaning to the Army's new advertising slogan, "An Army of One"

[GregG]

Originally posted by Scott Harper
I think it adds more meaning to the Army's new advertising slogan, "An Army of One"

Don't even get me started. Next thing you know they will be giving every one a beret they didn't earn. That they bought from a country with whom we have bad relations. Oh, wait...

[Holdfast]

At least the martial arts training is better than when I was in(late 80's early 90's). All we did was hai yahh!, chop socky stuff.

[GregG]

We got some of that, though the use of the e-tool in the demo was inspiring. :-)

I was lucky enough that we got PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) and some Kali at one duty station. And I got to do an FBI Street Survival Seminar to round out the Reaction Team School.

[Holdfast]

Yeah, I actually used an e-tool on a guy once. Hit him with the flat side though.
What did you do for the Army, GregG?

[GregG]

I was an MP for 14 years (12 active). I got to see a bit. I would probably have stayed in the Marine Reserves as a scout/sniper at the beginning, but they wanted to make me a field radio operator.

[Holdfast]

I was 11 Bang Bang.4 years active 4 years very active reserves. You get to Thailand?

[GregG]

My infantry time was all in the Corps (Reserve).

I never made it out east. I went Germany, White Sands, Presidio of Monterey, Germany, Fort Polk (Haiti).

I should have been a ring knocker like my brother and stayed in the Marines. But then I wouldn't be where I am. On the whole it is a good place to be, so I guess it worked out.