What do you think the importance of a robust Combatives program plays in the Army's Combat Readiness future?

SGM Stephen S: The Army Combatives Program is a good one, and needs to be expanded. Young soldiers today come from a society where the first "fight" they may have in their lives may be in basic training. Regardless of MOS, all soldiers have to know how to handle themselves confidently at a checkpoint, while on guard duty, during crowd control, etc., not to mention close combat. Combatives are good physical training, require little in the way of training resources, and instill confidence in every soldier. Many, even in the Army, think the program is designed to make them all Chuck Norris Rangers. In fact, Combatives help any soldiers protect themselves and their weapons at close quarters, e.g. 92G on guard duty arm blocks a hungry local who makes a grab at his rifle - combatives.

The Army combatives program is something I never really took seriously. It was an extra curricular activity in my eyes. If you aren't tired after getting off at 1700 by all means go take combatives. Once a week for a while we did combatives on Thursday's for PT. It caused the majority of our PT injuries..

I honestly think that the Combatives program should be downsized. I strongly believe we should "train as we fight". In today's war it seems to be all about who has the biggest guns and better technology. I think Soldiers need to be well trained in these areas as this is mostly what they will see in the fight. Combatives should not be entirely scrapped but definitely stressed a little less.