Nearly a dozen white-uniformed, white-belted Belvoir youth ages 7-13 gathered at the Markham School Age Center Friday to engage in martial arts combat.
With focused and determined expressions on their faces, the young athletes took to the main gym's mats to participate in the post's Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills (SKIES) Unlimited program's Jujitsu training course.
Instructor Maj. Dave De Atley, U.S. Army Intelligence Command, maintained tight control of the class, asserting the need for seriousness, attentive self-discipline and concentration at all times.
According to De Atley, the training program is designed to introduce children to the techniques of martial arts and to provide an opportunity to participate in a comprehensive fitness and self-defense program.
De Atley added that he prefers to instruct Japanese jujitsu, as it offers a more well-rounded approach to the sport.
"I'm biased," he said. "Tae kwon do is mostly kicking; shudokan karate is punching and kicking.
Jujitsu is punching, kicking, ground fighting, and for older students, arm and wrist-lock techniques.
The jujitsu curriculum is more comprehensive in my opinion."
De Atley also said that the jujitsu program is very suitable for younger students with no prior experience in martial arts training.
"Japanese jujitsu is a (good start)," he said. "All of my students in this class are white belts; they're brand new. None of them have ever studied martial arts before."
De Atley began Friday's class with a series of warm-up exercises that he told his students are intended to prevent injury and prepare them physically for the movements the discipline requires.
He then paired up the participants and demonstrated a number of ground fighting techniques which utilized the athletes' skills to engage, dominate and subdue their opponent.
Enthusiasm for learning this style of self defense was high among the participants. Closely following De Atley's suggestions, they engaged their counterparts with strength and stone-faced zeal.
Many parents were in attendance at the SAC Friday, and said they are encouraged by the program and their children's progress in the class.
"It's a good program," said U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Robert George, whose sons Robbie, 13, and Jackson, 11, were participating. "It teaches discipline and it gets out aggression, which is really good. They're both involved in wrestling, too."
Chrissy Blankenship, who attended the class to watch her daughter Alyssa, 7, said the program is something she really looks forward to every week.
"She loves it," she said of Alyssa's experience in the class so far. "We picked her daddy up at the airport and when it started to look like we were going to be a little bit late, she got very upset. She gets a big kick out of it. It's something that she and her daddy share. He's usually the one who brings her to the class."
"That the kids enjoy the program is the most important thing," De Atley said at the conclusion of the class.
The SKIES Unlimited program at Fort Belvoir offers a wide selection of activities to youth in addition to martial arts. Additional information about the SKIES Unlimited program, available classes and registration is available from the SKIES Unlimited director Sheila Ly at (703) 805-9146.
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