U.S. Central Command strength management chief reaches goals in martial arts program

Courtesy Photo | Gunnery Sgt. Christian A. Suber, chief Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | Gunnery Sgt. Christian A. Suber, chief Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor for United States Central Command, is currently a black belt instructor in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and said achieving his black belt was a goal he was determined to accomplish when the program began.  see less | View Image Page

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, UNITED STATES

06.26.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Central Command Public Affairs           

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MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - What do Helio Gracie, Bruce Lee and Gunnery Sgt. Christian A. Suber all have in common? They're all considered masters and instructors in some form of martial arts.

As strength management chief and chief instructor of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program at United States Central Command, Suber dates his love for martial arts back to his childhood.

"When I was a kid, my Dad used to take us to the drive-in theaters to watch Bruce Lee movies and afterwards I'd practice the moves I saw in the movie," said the MCMAP black-belt instructor.

Although martial arts was not the reason Suber joined the Marine Corps in 1990, it has become his passion.

"I wanted to play football after high school and my recruiter told me I could play football and travel the world at the same time," explained the chief instructor. "After I heard that, I was like, 'Where do I sign?'"

Before MCMAP became the Marine Corps official program for Marines in 2001 it went through a series of other combat systems such as the Linear In-fighting Neuro-override Engagement Program in the early 1980's and Close Combat Training Program from 1997 to 1999.

"When the program first came online I loved it and my immediate goal was to become at least a 1st degree black-belt instructor before I retire," he added.

The motivated MCMAP enthusiast accomplished both goals by completing the Martial Arts Instructor course at the Marine Corps School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, Calif., in 2002 and earning his black-belt this June.

Although MCMAP can cause both physical and mental fatigue, Suber said due to a saying his football coach used, he never doubted himself during training.

"My first football coach, William Alexander, used to say you could do or be anything you want, but you have to want it and there would be people who doubt you, but never doubt yourself," he added.

"I love teaching and if my body holds up I wouldn't mind furthering my career in MCMAP and attending the Martial Arts Instructor Trainer course."

Sgt. Edwin O. Melendez, executive administrative assistant, U.S. Central Command, said he has been through three classes with Suber and considers him an outstanding instructor.

"He's very meticulous about showing you the proper moves," said Melendez who is a native of Elizabeth, N.J. "When he teaches he's always intense and demands that same intensity out of his students."

Melendez, who is currently a green belt in the MCMAP program, added that Suber inspired him to want to improve and perfect the techniques throughout the course.

"When I was in a course, he was teaching, it reminded me regardless of what type of command you're in you can never become complacent and a good way to do that is to conduct MCMAP training," Melendez added.

Although MCMAP is used as a way to better prepare for combat, Suber recalled an incident when his MCMAP training would have proven very useful.

"I was bouncing at this club in Costa Mesa, Calif., and I had to physically remove an intoxicated patron from the club. I used the 'escort position' to remove him from the club, and then he continued to be unruly in the parking lot so I had to take him down with a sweep."

Since meeting the vigorous goals of becoming a black-belt instructor, Suber is now thinking of pursuing training in mixed martial arts to even further perfect his art.

"The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program is a great program, and I love teaching it," he said. "I see the other services eventually coming online with a similar martial arts program. I think they would definitely benefit from a comprehensive program like MCMAP. It keeps you sharp mentally and physically. Who wouldn't want that?"

The MCMAP enthusiast also added he would like to see more inter-service competitions in the future.

"My personal favorite part of the program is the ground fighting and the joint manipulation portion," said the 38-year old. "Not only is it a great workout, it teaches you how to focus and push yourself, even when you're dog tired and if the Marine Corps needs a full time civilian instructor after I retire, I'm available."