Preparing for hand-to-hand combat: Soldiers undergo Basic Combative Course at annual training

Photo By Pfc. Haley Haile | Students and instructors alike cheer on Sgt. 1st Class Danny Barlow, acting first sergeant of the 871st Headquarters and Headquarters Company, during the morning warmup drills at a five-day Basic Combative Course during an annual training exercise here. “It’s definitely something new and different,” reflected Spc. Brandon Stricklin, a unit supply specialist with the 213th Medical Company (Area Support). “It’s conditioning and learning for hand-to-hand combat.” (Photo by Pfc. Haley E. Haile)  

FORT CHAFFEE, AR, UNITED STATES

05.11.2015

Story by Pfc. Haley Haile 

119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT CHAFFEE, Ark. – Commands could be heard echoing through the gym, out over scattered groups of two or three individuals in uniforms on a collection of mats. As each set of commands was given, methodically, as if to a silent metronome, one soldier from each group would perform a specific action: Command, move, command, move. This repeated until the set was complete, then the soldiers would trade places and the rhythm would begin again.

A group of soldiers with the 871st Troop Command underwent a five-day Basic Combative Course during annual training here. This course prepares the soldier not only with the knowledge of basic hand-to-hand combat skills, but also the knowledge to teach this course to their peers in their home companies.

“The Basic Combative Course takes untrained soldiers with no training what so ever and equips them with the most training possible to prepare them for combat,” explained Staff Sgt, Benjamin Sliger, Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element Combative Instructor. “We use the basics of ground grappling, because it is easier to learn and easier to teach, and once we advance we start incorporating Muay Thai, western boxing, judo, and Americanized wrestling.”

Each day started with the soldiers completing warm up exercises that not only prepared their bodies for the days drills, but was also some of the actual moves that they would use during their combative work. Once warmed up the soldiers would learn a new drill step-by-step with the guidance of the Combative Instructors. Once they felt comfortable, the soldiers would practice the drills with each other while the instructors monitored for correct movements and safety.

“Stay open minded,” advised Sliger. “Don’t be afraid. We’re not in the business of hurting soldiers. Our goal here is to train you for combat. Just come in here with an open mind, we’ll take care of you as long as you listen and follow the directions given. You’ll leave here a better, more confidant soldier.”

As the course advances, so does the difficulty of the drills that the soldiers learn, and in order for the soldiers to progress they have to undergo certain tests of the skills learned. One test that they must complete is to obtain certain holds while an instructor is striking at them and attempting to keep them from gaining this control. This drill shows the soldier what a real world situation would be like, and in doing that, allows them to use their combatives in a more life-like way.

“I like that they aren’t just going easy on us and just teaching techniques,” discusses Spc. Brandon Stricklin, a unit supply specialist with the 213th Medical Company (Area Support). “They are teaching us what we will really experience.”

• Date Taken: 05.11.2015
• Date Posted: 05.20.2015 13:19
• Story ID: 163962
• Location: FORT CHAFFEE, AR, US
• Hometown: NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR, US