which is more important? hand to hand combat training or self aid buddy care?

You will save more people with CPR than kill with hand-to-hand.

First Aid!!!! Not to say hand to hand is unimportant or not fun. But chances of being that close to the enemy in my mind is slim to none. Things like IEDs are more prevalent so being able to care for ourselves and each other is a stronger need...who know how close a medic is.

I think a lot depends on the MOS of the soldier and in the bigger picture both are important. For any combat MOS, combatives is more important, in my mind. The dead can not care for anyone. The training of either will go toward the mind set and, I say, we want our warriors thinking about destroying the enemy, with their bare hands if needed.