June 1, 2015 –
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — Eighteen service members from the Air Force, Army and Navy took part in the Modern Army Combatives Program Level 1 Basic Course here, June 1- 5, 2015.
The MACP Level 1 certification program is a 40 hour course filled with self-defense techniques for hand-to-hand combat situations that can be utilized by service members when in combat situations.
Lt. Col. Mike Poss, the commander of the Strategic Command Army Reserve Element and a certified Tactical Combatives instructor, planned and executed the course.
“Our goal was to demonstrate warrior ethos by expanding the skills of military members in order to survive on the battlefield and when necessary, close the distance to gain a dominant position then finish the fight,” said Poss.
To this end Poss brought in four other instructors, including 1st Sgt. Pete Feider, a Level IV MACP instructor from Fort Riley, Kansas, to teach and assist.
Combatives training has always been a part of the Army’s warrior culture. In 1995, the commander of the 2nd Ranger Battalion began researching and developing potential refinements to the combatives doctrine. Today, Army combatives training incorporates jiu-jitsu (submissions), boxing (stand-up striking), wrestling (grappling or position control), Judo (throws or sweeps), Muy Thai (striking), Tae Kwon Do (kicking) and other martial arts. Students were required to show proficiency by demonstrating all MACP level 1 basic techniques to instructors for testing as well as completing the hands-on drills plus passing a final written exam.
“This was the most extensive self-defense training I have had in the military,” said Maj. Naviere Walkewicz, an Air Force officer in STRATCOM Joint Reserve Directorate. “I am glad that I pursued it and would like to try the [Level 2] Tactical Combatives course someday.”
Daily training activities included line drills and an introduction to the lessons where instructors demonstrated a technique then explained how or why to use it. Despite the bumps, bruises and soreness that students received, they arrived each day with smiles on their faces, thoroughly enjoying the experience while learning from the Instructors.
“The purpose of combatives training is to install confidence within the service members for a foundation that will foster a warrior spirit in order to engage and defeat an enemy or adversary whenever needed,” said Feider, who has taught more than 2,000 military students coast to coast and enjoys providing Army combatives instruction that can possibly save American lives.
By the fifth day of training, all 18 students had successfully completed the hands-on testing as well as the written examination. They were then given an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained to defend themselves in a near-real life scenario. Once the training experience was completed, Maj. Gen. John Uberti, STRATCOM’s chief of staff, presented graduation certificates to the class and offered words of praise for the endeavor.