‘Devil’ Soldiers flip during training

Photo By Bernhard Lashleyleidner | Spc. Elizabeth Kittle, an automated logistical specialist, flips Spc. Margret Kossman, an allied trade specialist, both with Company F, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 1st Infantry Division, while defending herself from a simulated rear choke hold attack Oct. 2 at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation combatives tent on Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The training was sponsored by the 1st ABCT Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Prevention Program, to help females avoid being victims of sexual assault and to show them how to protect themselves from an attacker.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

10.21.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – About 10 female ‘Devil’ brigade Soldiers learned how to protect themselves from sexual assault during self-defense training Oct. 2 at Camp Buehring.

The training was sponsored by the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention program.

“This is the first time the SHARP program has ever taught self-defense here at Camp Buehring,” said Capt. David Lammert, provost marshal, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st ABCT. “We want to give female Soldiers skills that will increase their confidence to be able to defend themselves against a sexual assault.”

Before the start of the hands-on portion of the class, the two instructors, Lammert and Capt. Bernie Williamson, chief of operation, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, 34th Infantry
Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, told participants about some SHARP statics dealing with sexual assault.

Lammert, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, said 75 percent of women who are assaulted or raped know their attacker, and the best way to not become a victim is through vigilance and awareness.

“We both work in the law enforcement field and wanted to put this class together to empower female Soldiers with knowledge and techniques to minimize the chance of becoming a victim,” he said.

Lammert also said the training was a good opportunity for smaller Soldiers to learn some techniques that can get them out of bad situations.

“Jiu-Jitsu is one of the best martial arts’ styles for smaller people because it has elements of grappling, hard striking, eye gouging and choke holds,” Lammert said.

Williamson, a native St. Paul, Minnesota, told Soldiers every fight eventually ends upon the ground, and as long as they know the proper techniques, they will be able to defeat a person twice their size.

The instructors demonstrated techniques on how to defend a front choke, a rear choke, the proper way to stand if knocked to the ground and how to subdue an attacker while in bed.

“After watching the instructors, I couldn’t wait to practice flipping people and knocking them to the floor,” said Pfc. Deniza Dervishi, automated logistical specialist, 1st Battalion,16th Infantry Regiment, 1st ABCT, 1st Infantry Division.

Dervishi, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, said prior to attending the training she didn’t think the techniques would work on someone bigger than her.

“I was shocked when I was able to break the grip of the instructor using the shoulder lock technique,” Dervishi said. “It felt so good to be able to defend myself against someone that is twice my size.”

Lammert said the training lines up with the three P’s –protection, prevention and prosecution – and falls within the ready and resilient line of effort for the brigade.

“I believe we met the intent with this training, which was to bring Soldiers together, have fun and teach techniques to prevent females from being future victims,” he said.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2014
• Date Posted: 10.22.2014 00:34
• Story ID: 145729
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW
• Hometown: KOSOVO POLJE (FUSHE KOSOVE), KM, RS
• Hometown: FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US
• Hometown: NASHVILLE, TN, US
• Hometown: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US
• Hometown: ST. LOUIS, MO, US
• Hometown: ST. PAUL, MN, US