1-1 ADA ARE FIRST U.S. SOLDIERS TO RECEIVE JAPANESE AIR SELF DEFENSE FORCE COMBATIVES CERTIFICATION

By Story by Sgt. Justin Engle, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense ArtilleryJuly 22, 2013

AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERYMEN ARE FIRST U.S. SOLDIERS TO RECEIVE JAPANESE AIR SELF DEFENSE FORCE COMBATIVES CERTIFICATION
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERYMEN ARE FIRST U.S. SOLDIERS TO RECEIVE JAPANESE AIR SELF DEFENSE FORCE COMBATIVES CERTIFICATION
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Six U.S. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery attending joint combatives classes were certified Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) combatives graduates, March 18, 2013 in Okinawa, Japan. It marks the first time any U.S. service member has received a JASDF combatives certification.

All of the Soldiers in attendance unanimously agreed that everyone had an eagerness to relate and positively discuss differences.

"Being around a different culture motivated me to learn," Spc. Michael Dezarn, 1-1 ADA, said. "The combination of American training and Japanese training enables me to feel all around more capable."

Spc. Kyle Mecum, 1-1 ADA, said this partnership extends well past the combatives class. "We were all eager to learn each other's customs and courtesies; our Japanese partners were interested in American culture as much as we were interested in theirs."

Soldiers gained friends from this training, a better understanding of their JASDF counterparts, improved proficiency and most importantly realized that the JASDF are no different from their U.S. battle buddies.

Spc. Omar Gallegos said, "I am now friends with some of the JASDF soldiers, and we discuss the differences between our militaries outside of work."

The ability to defend one's self has played a huge role in warfare since the beginning of recorded history. As strategic warfare evolves over time so does the art of self-defense. Militaries train their soldiers in specific curriculums, which rarely give them the opportunity to experience different views of self-defense. While the Japanese combatives course focuses on striking, the American combatives course focuses on grappling techniques which complement each other.

The dictionary definition of "bilateral" is best described as, "through both parties equally." U.S. Soldiers training in JASDF combatives are an example of a bilateral partnership, one in which we share with Japan. By fully integrating ourselves with our bilateral partners, the benefits far exceed the practical aspects of the partnership. This training has set the stage for two great nations to build relations and capabilities through a partnership with unlimited potential.