Combatives training teaches more than how to fight

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Schneider | Pfc. Bryan Clark (right), assigned to 38th Engineer Company, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, teaches two students from the combatives class how to escape from the rear mount. The combatives class was held at the East Liberty gym Jan. 25-29.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.29.2010

Story by Spc. Daniel Schneider 

366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD — Soldiers of Battery F, 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, passed on their hand-to-hand knowledge and expertise to other Soldiers during a 40-hour class held at East Liberty Jan. 25-29.

This training provides more than just defensive techniques when attacked in close quarters, said battery leaders.

"Combatives training boosts Soldiers' self-esteem, enforces the Warrior Ethos of never quitting, [and] provides knowledge of incapacitating an attacker," said 1st Sgt. Michael Strate, first sergeant of the battery. "We train the Soldiers to finish the fight. In a real combat situation, whoever finishes the fight first can help battle buddies win theirs."

One of the goals of this training is to provide Soldiers with enough knowledge and ability in level-one combatives to go back to their units as subject-matter experts, capable of teaching their battle buddies life-saving fighting skills.

"If I was ever in a situation where I need to use what we learned, I will make sure me and my battle buddy can walk away from it," said Pfc. Adrian Richardson, assigned to Battery E, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division.

The class consists of rigorous training, pushing Soldiers to their limits through exercising, conditioning, drilling new moves, and sparring with other Soldiers in bouts lasting anywhere from three to five minutes at a time.

"At times, I was tired and didn't want to go on, but I had to drive through it to keep going," said Richardson. "I'm looking forward to continuing to more advanced combatives training so that in my next deployment, I can help my fellow Soldiers."

"[The class] may feel uncomfortable at first, but by the end it may save your life or your battle buddy's life," said Spc. Warren Kirby, a chaplain's assistant assigned to Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division.

Even with an extensive background in martial arts and wrestling, Kirby learned new skills during this course.

"I had to adapt to never exposing my back to an enemy, and learn how to react to stressful situations," said Kirby. "The instructors trained us how not to panic, and to think while under stress. Sometimes, it's better to slow down and prepare for your next step rather than freaking out in a situation when you can't move."

Unarmed combat training has evolved over the years due to suggestions made by veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, said Strate.

Strate recalled reading an Army Times article asking combat veterans about their close-combat experiences. In the article, the veterans noted that the greater majority of these situations resulted in the enemy being incapacitated by unarmed means.

Despite suffering from an injury to his foot on the fourth day of training, Kirby said he is determined to complete the final day of training as soon as he heals so he can earn his certification.

"In an environment where most combat occurs in an area no larger than 8-feet wide," said Strate, "being proficient in hand-to-hand combat may be the deciding factor of a Soldier surviving."

• Date Taken: 01.29.2010
• Date Posted: 01.31.2010 16:23
• Story ID: 44689
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ