Martial arts beyond MACP and hand to hand: do you do it?

2015-01-05T20:28:40-05:00

Do any of you study or follow an art outside your service's version of hand to hand? Do you have a favorite art and why?

Response by SPC(P) Beverly Day made Jan 5 at 2015 8:38 PM

2015-01-05T20:38:43-05:00

Just to get the ball rolling, I study South Korean Tae Kwon Do and currently hold a first degree black belt. Though my program occasionally verges into grapling and joint locks drawn from other arts I prefer it for the variety of kicks we learn. I realize though a kick can deliver a good amount of force, there is also the risk in a real situation that you will not have the space needed or that your opponent might catch your kick and use your own momentum against you. I favor this as an art, not a sport. I have competed in one tournament but solely to be able to say I tried it before discarding the idea of competition fights.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jan 5 at 2015 8:59 PM

2015-01-05T20:59:45-05:00

My service does not have a combatives program (service wide anyway).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 3:55 AM

2015-01-06T03:55:43-05:00

I've been training in Brazilian Jiu jitsu for a couple of years. I like it for a few reasons. The exercise is fun and the rolling is intense enough that my run has improved from the cardio I get grappling.
While it's not a complete art where it's nearly all ground work I feel it does give me a valuable skill set that I didn't have before I started training. I often feel like I suck at BJJ until a new student comes to the school and I see how much I've learned.

I did take TKD for a year and a half. It wasn't for me. The sparring was too weak and to seldom to be beneficial. My son had taken TKD since he was 10 years old. He's 22 now and is a 2nd degree black belt in TKD. He also trains BJJ at the school I go to and has some MMA.

The facebook page is a little better, but here's the website to our school. http://teamtriumphbjj.com/
Another thing I like about BJJ, at least where I train is how informal it is. It's more like a second family. I call my professor John and don't do a lot of that bowing stuff found at a lot of TMA schools. We just had our holiday party with lots of adult beverages, beer pong in the cage, and the UFC on a huge screen it was a great time.

New Hampshire BJJ & MMA - Nashua - Team Triumph

Last Saturday we celebrated our 7th anniversary here in Nashua with a huge belt ceremony and seminar by Boston BJJ founder, Professor Roberto [more]

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jan 6 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-01-06T22:21:49-05:00

Jeet Kun Do. What can I say I'm a Bruce Lee fan for life

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 7:40 AM

2015-01-07T07:40:18-05:00

SPC(P) Beverly Day. Krav Maga . . . as taught for military personnel by IDF instructors . . . where you fight full out consecutively larger highly skilled opponents in their full protective gear until you can fight no more . . . not as taught for soccor moms and children in some posh Beverly Hills McDojo. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by PO2 Jon Van Dop made Jan 7 at 2015 9:11 AM

2015-01-07T09:11:48-05:00

No, but I really want to learn BJJ.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-01-07T09:53:49-05:00

We didn't do combatives in the Navy (on Submarines at least), but I always wanted to learn Krav Maga and Sambo...

Response by SSG Todd Trombley made Jan 7 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-01-07T10:00:55-05:00

Yes.. I grew up with Koreans . I practiced martial empty way. Moo gong do. Trained ten years . No belts. Like tang so do with a twist. I like the Army's combative training course . It has all the good stuff in it. I still train and teach . What I like about the army's combative training is .. It promotes streankth , confedence and teaches soldiers what to use with all that gear on. Last I was involved the instructors were teaching ground fighting. Brutal stuff.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jan 7 at 2015 11:03 AM

2015-01-07T11:03:10-05:00

I have done some flavor of martial arts for the last 20+ years. Currently, I am doing kickboxing. Previously, I have done MMA, GoJu Ryu, Jujitsu, Kempo (Ed Parker variety) various forms of karate, and a smattering of kung fu. I did a bit of Krav Maga while deployed, and would like to do more.

I don't know that I have an "all time favorite" I liked each for different reasons. Currently, I love the Kickboxing because of the coach. In fact, the only reason I signed up was because of him. He had been an instructor at the MMA place, and the best one, IMO. This gym really has a "family" feeling. And isn't overrun with kids!!!!!!! (W00T!!!!!!!) [I don't hate kids, I do hate not being able to train because of ill-disciplined little brats. There are a few in our gym, but they are focused and well-behaved.]

Oddly enough, I have never done even an hour of MACP.

Response by LTC Troy P. Thomas made Jan 7 at 2015 11:10 AM

2015-01-07T11:10:54-05:00

As a founding member of the U.S. Army Combatives School, an Alliance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and a life long wrestler, I train in grappling arts mostly. However, if you are looking for a well rounded game and have limited training time look into BJJ and Muay Thai.

A good BJJ program will cover all of your standard wrestling takedowns and Judo throws and focuses on the best control and submissions from the ground.

Muay Thai is the best total stand up art. The strikes, kicks and clinch work are second to none.

On top of the skills you will receive from these arts; the health benefits are tremendous. The strength, conditioning, and cardio work will have you reaching your fitness goals rapidly.

Remember, the bottom line is find something you love. Grappling is not for everyone. Striking is not for everyone. Not everyone is looking to be the next Rhonda Rousey or Chuck Liddell. However, if the atmosphere at the academy/dojo/school is something that keeps you coming back and the people there become your second family that is probably what you need to be doing!

Now have fun and get training! Oss!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Jan 7 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-01-07T13:44:36-05:00

I did a fair amount of Aikido in years past. Lately I haven't found the time (retirement can't come soon enough).

The main attraction for me is how it emphasizes protecting the attacker.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jan 7 at 2015 8:04 PM

2015-01-07T20:04:15-05:00

I've studied Hapkido and J-J-S. I have "a few" belts in both arts/discipline. I've also read and learned about several others in order to be rounded, but those are the only two I've physically learned.

Regardless of what I've studied or learned, I've always put great emphasis on expanding my knowledge and understanding of the "combat mindset" and "killology."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-01-08T12:02:43-05:00

I have studied aprox 24 systems and am qualified to teach 11 of them. However I truly feel that Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Jujitsu and some of the Filipino systems like Kali or Escrima are my core foundations that I have brought in to mix with our Combatives program. In real-world issues that have come up... The tools from those systems have always helped me get through the current "challenge" in front of me.

Muay Thai - hands down for striking (Your 8 Primary weapons) -
Jeet Kune Do for the free flowing options and some trapping
Brazilian Jujitsu for the couple of occasions that went to the ground
and Kali / Escrima for the times I was able to have something in my hand to help

Bottom line however... it is the heart, drive and commitment of surviving the battle.. and just being the "bigger...scarier dog in the fight" that has always helped me make it to the next day.

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES !!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 12:19 PM

2015-01-08T12:19:52-05:00

Sorry ... one more comment... and this is "just my opinion".....

Most of the core Military programs are Jujitsu based. While it is a valuable tool that needs to be in your tool box, I do not feel it should be the primary go-to during a real-world combatives conflict. Once you go to the ground... you loose aprox 85 % of your vision / view of your surroundings... and if there is more than one individual you are faced with... then you are extremely disadvantaged. Also... there are some moves that are just truly impossible to pull off wearing your full Battle Rattle and gear.

Some of the toughest guys I know are JuJitsu specialists.... and that is great... but It can not be your only tool. Thank you for allowing me to comment on this area.

Be Safe... and Stay Sharp!

SSG D

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2015 1:03 AM

2015-01-18T01:03:53-05:00

Wanted to post one more quick one on this topic. If interested in any "warrior skills / task" extra training ... the Edged Weapons training is FM compliant and a good team builder w/ solider survival skills. Check this out if you get a chance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmw01o4lAow

(no charge for active / reserve units)