‘Devil’ Soldiers earn combatives Level II certifications in Kuwait

Photo By Bernhard Lashleyleidner | Sgt. Natosha Tisby (left), automated logistical noncommissioned officer, attempts to put Spc. Mehm Piya, ammunition specialist, both with HHC, 101st BSB, 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., in a choke hold during the Combatives Level II certification Nov. 30 at the Morale Welfare and Recreation tent Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The 80-hour certification course builds on what Soldiers learned in Level I and adds intermediate defense and attack techniques, like choke holds, clinch fighting and submissions.  

KUWAIT

01.03.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Seven 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Soldiers earned their Modern Army Combatives Level II Tactical certification Nov. 30 at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation combatives tent.

The 80-hour course reinforces and builds upon what students learned in the Level I course and teaches more intermediate defense and attack techniques, like choke holds, clinch fighting and submissions.

“Level I has 27 techniques students had to learn in order to pass, while Level II has triple the amount that students must learn to pass the course,” said Spc. Zachary Mullins, lead instructor, 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion. “We also added boxing and some light slapping to keep students thinking.”

Mullins, a Brookfield, Ohio, native, said he originally scheduled the training to pick up the spirits of Soldiers in his unit, but soon began receiving requests from Soldiers in other units to attend.

“I asked my chain of command if I could offer the class to other service members,” Mullins said. “My command agreed to allow me to open the class up to any service member who wanted to be certified Level II, since we had the personnel and facilities to support other units.”

Spc. Jason Sampson, human resources specialist, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., said he wanted to learn more about combatives after being introduced to the Modern Army Combatives Level I during initial training, but never made time for it.

“When I heard they were offering the (MACP) Level II certification class, I asked my chain of command if I could attend,” Sampson said. “The thought of learning how to
use an attacker’s momentum against them in order to defeat them on the battlefield or streets really appealed to me.”

Sampson, a native of Lichtenfels, Germany, said it was a little intimidating at first because they matched him against guys that were much bigger than him.

“Once I learned to remain calm and got the techniques down, I knew I could wrestle, grapple or strike with anyone because it has nothing to do with a person’s size, only their ability,” he said.

After completing the class, Sampson said he would like to attend the Level III course to train his own squad.

Mullins said the primary goal of the class was to certify Soldiers in advanced hand to hand combat techniques and to prepare future squad level instructors.

“My sole purpose of becoming a Level III instructor was so I could pass along some valuable skills to my fellow Soldiers,” he said. “I consider it my duty to train and certify as many Soldiers as possible in Level I and II Combatives.”

• Date Taken: 01.03.2015
• Date Posted: 01.06.2015 13:45
• Story ID: 151420
• Location: KW
• Hometown: LICHTENFELS, BY, DE
• Hometown: BROOKFIELD, OH, US
• Hometown: MANCHESTER, NH, US
• Hometown: STATESBORO, GA, US