R
RyuShiKan
Guest
I actually got to see them train while I was working Iwakuni Air Station.
I have to say it's not bad at all.
CAMP COURTNEY (Jan 31, 2003) -- "To locate close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver..."
Although this has been the proclamation that gave hundreds of Marine rifle squads their marching orders to fight their enemies, it is not guaranteed that a Marine will always be able to rely on his rifle to fend off the enemy.
Hence, the Marine Corps has created the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Students of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Far East School here demonstrated to the commanding generals, the senior enlisted council and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, the techniques they have learned during the Green Belt Instructor Course Dec. 18.
The reason for the demonstration is to show the senior leadership on Okinawa the multitude of techniques used within the martial arts training program and the similarities it has with Okinawan martial arts, explained Staff Sgt. Brantley E. Friend, martial arts instructor trainer.
"The purpose for the demonstration is for the senior leadership on Okinawa," the Winder, Ga., native said. "This will let them see everything we teach our students, and if any of them are confused to what the program is about, then this will give them some answers."
Friend added that the demonstration showed a variety of martial art techniques, which Marines might one day need on the battlefield.
"Marines are not always going to be armed or have ammunition and artillery," Friend said. "Every major conflict the Marine Corps has been in has come down to hand-to-hand combat. The program gives Marines another tool to fight out of a bad situation."
Another important aspect of martial arts is executing the fighting skills properly, which is just what the demonstrators did while performing in front of the crowd.
"We started the demo by doing some bayonet training. That gets the students used to going into a fight with a straight thrust, which is the most lethal strike in a fight," he said. "Next, we went into pugil-stick fighting, knife-fighting, armed manipulations, unarmed manipulations, counter techniques, throws and free sparring."
Hosting the event were the students of the Green Belt Instructor Course, which consists of 120 hours of training throughout a three-week period.
During the demonstration, the students not only showed off what they were taught but also answered the questions asked by the audience.
"The guests seemed very curious as well as impressed with the display," said 2nd Lt. Sean J. Schickel, student, and event demonstrator. "We had a few questions from the guests who were eager to learn basic knowledge of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. They were all curious about the discipline that's required and the character values that are learned."
Other demonstrations given by the Okinawan guests gave the students a new insight on martial arts as well, according to Schickel.
"The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was originally developed from Okinawan martial arts," the Princeton, Ill., native said. "Seeing what they do gave us an idea on what the program could evolve into one day."
I have to say it's not bad at all.
CAMP COURTNEY (Jan 31, 2003) -- "To locate close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver..."
Although this has been the proclamation that gave hundreds of Marine rifle squads their marching orders to fight their enemies, it is not guaranteed that a Marine will always be able to rely on his rifle to fend off the enemy.
Hence, the Marine Corps has created the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Students of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Far East School here demonstrated to the commanding generals, the senior enlisted council and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, the techniques they have learned during the Green Belt Instructor Course Dec. 18.
The reason for the demonstration is to show the senior leadership on Okinawa the multitude of techniques used within the martial arts training program and the similarities it has with Okinawan martial arts, explained Staff Sgt. Brantley E. Friend, martial arts instructor trainer.
"The purpose for the demonstration is for the senior leadership on Okinawa," the Winder, Ga., native said. "This will let them see everything we teach our students, and if any of them are confused to what the program is about, then this will give them some answers."
Friend added that the demonstration showed a variety of martial art techniques, which Marines might one day need on the battlefield.
"Marines are not always going to be armed or have ammunition and artillery," Friend said. "Every major conflict the Marine Corps has been in has come down to hand-to-hand combat. The program gives Marines another tool to fight out of a bad situation."
Another important aspect of martial arts is executing the fighting skills properly, which is just what the demonstrators did while performing in front of the crowd.
"We started the demo by doing some bayonet training. That gets the students used to going into a fight with a straight thrust, which is the most lethal strike in a fight," he said. "Next, we went into pugil-stick fighting, knife-fighting, armed manipulations, unarmed manipulations, counter techniques, throws and free sparring."
Hosting the event were the students of the Green Belt Instructor Course, which consists of 120 hours of training throughout a three-week period.
During the demonstration, the students not only showed off what they were taught but also answered the questions asked by the audience.
"The guests seemed very curious as well as impressed with the display," said 2nd Lt. Sean J. Schickel, student, and event demonstrator. "We had a few questions from the guests who were eager to learn basic knowledge of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. They were all curious about the discipline that's required and the character values that are learned."
Other demonstrations given by the Okinawan guests gave the students a new insight on martial arts as well, according to Schickel.
"The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was originally developed from Okinawan martial arts," the Princeton, Ill., native said. "Seeing what they do gave us an idea on what the program could evolve into one day."
