Another "which is best", but with a twist

[CloudDragon]

As a vet who has served in the middle east, let me say a few things. First, thank you for defending my freedom, I do appreciate it. Second, if you haven't done E&E training yet, pay close attention, the same goes for survival school, then expand your knowledge about orienteering and survival on your own. The training is good, but must be supplemented and practiced to keep it fresh. Second, buy a Beretta 92F or AR-15, whichever is your duty weapon, and join a practical shooting club in your area, military training is designed for marksmanship at distance and for squad and larger groups. Indiviual shooting skills are not stressed in line units as they are not as needed. (i.e. engagement sequences and the like) Remember, if you were in their shoes, would you run up to a downed aviator with a weapon and beat him into submission, or just stand off and use your AK as the controlling force? Learning how to shoot, move and reload under stress will help you to get out of bad situations. Third: If, god forbid, you should be captured and your hands and feet are your only weapons I would suggest that you have a thorough knowledge of Krav Maga or Kenpo. BJJ and other ground grappling styles while devistatingly effective do not allow for the engagement of multiple attackers as well as the "stand up" styles, and personally, if I want to get away from someone I don't want to be rolling around on the ground with him, especially because he will be calling his buddies for help. Don't get me wrong though, you must know groundfighting basics in order to have a response to a wide variety of situations, but don't focus soley on that, your mission should be to neutralize one or two people, aquire their weapons and quickly leave the containment area and secure transport to a safe location. Use the weapons to facilitate your escape, and return to friendly territory. My best wishes to you.

[AeroScout]

CloudDragon - Excellent advice, thanks for taking the time to respond. I really like the idea of joining a practical shooting club. Makes great sense.

 

As far as E&E goes, a couple of weeks ago I requested to be sent to SERE level C instead of the level B they teach here at Ft. Rucker as a part of the flight school curriculum. I was turned down for unknown reasons but was told to try again after I finish Level B. Level B teaches the Survival and Evasion part and level C includes the Resistance and Escape portion. I've heard from those who have attended that it is excellent training although a little brutal at times. My fellow classmates thought I was crazy to volunteer to go but I think it could be invaluable.

 

I'm very ignorant about Martial Arts so I have no idea what Krav, Maga, Kenpo (I've heard of this one), or BJJ are. I will look them up here shortly and see what I can find. Thanks again for the help.

[AeroScout]

Did a little research this morning and really like the looks of Krav Maga for my needs. The problem is going to be availability of schools. Apparently, after the Jennifer Lopez movie that came out recently in which she was trained in Krav Maga, it has become quite popular. However, there are very few schools around the country as of yet.

 

Of the more popular styles of Martial Arts, which is closest to Krav Maga? Thanks.

 

AS

[delta1]

AeroScout,

 

BJJ is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a grappling art.

 

MT is Muay Thai, a full contact sport striking art.

 

CloudDragon had some excellant advice also. I'd suggest that in addition to tour duty firearms, you get familiar with as many of the weapons you are likely to find over there, both frriendly and enemy.

[CloudDragon]

Good point delta1, I agree with you totally.

 

AeroScout, Don't worry about not starting level C first as I'm sure you know the military is rather anal about "a place for everything and everything in it's place" just do well at level B and hopefully C will come in short order.

 

As far as not finding a KravMaga school, I would suggest looking for the book "Krav Maga, How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault" It is well written and easy to learn from, if you can find some people to train with it should be pretty easy to learn. Krav Maga also has a 4 DVD set, my insrtuctor has seen them and was so impressed he got permission to do a seminar based on one of them. If you are around the end of next month I'll let you know how it went.

 

What is Krav Maga close to? Hmm, well, it has elements of karate, jujitsu and judo. But it is truly a unique art. The closest thing by my opinion would be kenpo, but there is alot more emphasis on defense against armed persons in Krav Maga.

[AeroScout]

Cloud Dragon,

 

Thanks for the info. I will definitely look into those resources. I've been talking to some of my classmates about the idea of becoming proficient H2H fighters. Most seem very interested in the idea and I could probably drum up some workout buddies wherever I am sent next. maybe after a CQC course and a few months in a structured "traditional" MA class, I would feel confident to do some self-training. Thanks a bunch!

 

AS

[azn tiger]

Muay thai is a great hand to hand style. i myself would like to try that to compliment my tkd but i am having trouble locating muay thai schools around here.

[Kreisi]

Soldier jujutsu is used for defending against weapons.

[VinnieDaChin]

while grappling knowledge is helpful in this case in that it can enable you from rolling on the ground to begin with, with limited time id say go for something like muay thai or boxing. the most effective striking arts, simple, quick to learn, no nonsense. personally id go against kempo- in a street fight boxing and the likes seems to work much better.

 

oh, yea, definitely get that gun, and maybe a knife too.

[TSDforChrist]

You're stationed at Ft. Rucker? Near Dothan, AL? I'm less than an hour south of you, in FL. Do you know how long before you go anywhere else? I'd be more than willing to work with you and some of your friends - my core art is Tang Soo Do. I know that your options are severely limited from your location. I only know what is in Dothan, I don't know about any surrounding areas, but for your situation I would advise against the ATA center on the circle. I know Sensei Tharpe from the CKA, but his schedule is extremely limited - he is also a fireman. What I have heard of the Yoshukai places is its nothing but point sparring, also not very useful. I would definitely not advise reliance on videos without some sort of base in a martial art, and a thorough grasp of the basics. I could come and work with you guys some, for your specific situations, depending on your schedule. However, I leave friday until after the new year, so if its crunch time I can't help much. PM me if there is anything I can do to help.