Combatives training focuses on defense techniques 

Soldiers from the 416th Engineer Command, Detachment 19, undergo combatives training under the direction of Larry E. Klahn (far right). (Photo by Loni Witscheber)

      An example is the non-certified hand-to-hand combatives training, which has been required by First U.S. Army and was implemented in April at Fort McCoy.

      According to the Field Manual (FM) 3-25.150, combatives training is an engagement between two or more personnel in an empty-handed struggle or with hand-held weapons such as knives, sticks, or projectile weapons that cannot be fired.

      The first priority of combatives training is to stop an attack no matter what, with the use of chokes, strikes, and joint locks.

      Chokes and strikes are two of the most effective empty-hand methods to end a fight, said Larry E. Klahn. Klahn, who is head master of Three Rivers Martial Arts Academy and part-time certified reserve deputy for the La Crosse County Sheriff department, is contracted to train mobilizing units on combatives training. A joint lock can be used to dislocate various joints to cause enough pain for the attacker to submit.

      Though the number of training hours can vary with each unit, combatives training generally consists of approximately 10 hours of training for maintenance units and 20 hours for military police.

      Maj. Robert R. Rigsby of the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division (Training Support), said this training is defensive, not offensive.

      "If the situation is threatening, a Soldier does not have to resort to deadly force," said Rigsby.

      Soldiers build personal courage, self-confidence, and self-discipline with the combatives training skills and with the eight principles of mental calm, situational awareness, suppleness, base, dominant body position, distance, physical balance, and leverage.

      FM 3-25.150 states that the overall effect of combatives training is a successful physical fitness program, enhanced individual and unit strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness.

      Though the contract is for a specific number of sessions, Rigsby said all mobilizing units will receive combatives training tailored to meet their needs.

      Klahn said the objective of the training is to stop the threat and get away from it without harm to the Soldier. The Soldier may then proceed to acquire help afterward.

      "They (mobilizing units) are learning the techniques that are very dynamic and severe that give the highest probability of their survival," said Klahn.

      The 416th Engineer Command (ENCOM), Detachment 19, trained under the direction of Klahn the week of May 23 before deployment overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

      Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Maybin of the 3rd Battalion, 335th Regiment of Fort Sheridan, Ill., and the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division (Training Support) unit assister for the 416th Engineer Command (ENCOM), said this is good training and will give the unit a variety of defense techniques.

      Lt. Col. Wayne J. Potuznik of the 416th ENCOM said there is a lot to learn in this training.

      "It helps with getting in shape and understanding what we'll actually be running into overseas. This is good team building too," said Potuznik.

      Several mobilizing units have used the exercise, i.e., the 344th Combat Support Hospital, the 377th Command Support (CS), the 521st CS Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, and currently the U.S. Air Force Red Horse Advanced Echelon.

(Witscheber is a Public Affairs specialist for VT Griffin Services Inc., contractor for Base Augmentation Support Services.)