Two Soldiers face-off, looking for an opening. One Soldier sees it and makes their move. A few seconds later, the Soldier grounded their opponent, claiming victory. Although this was just training, combatives is a necessary tool for all Soldiers. Soldiers from Headquarters, Headquarters Company, United States Army Garrison Daegu conducted Army combatives training level one during morning Physical Training on Mar. 13 to 24.
"Combatives is a basic skill set for all Soldiers. We have different levels of training. Level one training is a basic skill set. People that come in from Civilians and just become Soldiers first learn how to do combatives in basic training," said HHC, USAG Daegu Commander Capt. Jheaniell Moncrieffe. "The idea is to be able to defend yourself should someone like special operation forces come behind to your position when you do not have a weapon. So you need to be able to protect yourself until someone come and help you or at least detain the enemy."
Modern Army Combatives Program started in 1995 with the 2nd Ranger Battalion and has spread at the grass roots around the Army. The mission of the U.S. Army Combatives is to train Leaders and Soldiers in close quarters combatives in order to instill the Warrior Ethos and prepare Soldiers to close with and defeat the enemy in hand to hand combat.
"It was hard to use the skills at the first time," said HHC, USAG Daegu Soldier Pv2. Shim, Seung-Bum. "The moves were hard to use in the actual fights. After practicing them every day morning and rolling every day, I could use the moves a lot easier than before. KATUSAs normally don't have chance to learn U.S. Army combatives. It was nice to learn this as a part of morning PT," said Shim.
HHC Soldiers will be tested for their skills on Friday, Mar. 24 and will be certified Army combatives level one if they pass.
"It actually helps a lot when you detain the enemy, because that will be able to save your life and detain that Soldier," said Moncrieffe.
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