Well for one thing there is a different mind set.
Here is the Mental Discipline quote from the manual:
"MENTAL DISCIPLINE
The Mental Discipline encompasses the study of the art of war to include professional military education (PME) and the professional reading program, Marine Corps Common Skills Training (MCCS), decision making training, the historical study of war, the tactics and techniques of expeditionary maneuver warfare, risk operational management, force protection, and a study of Marine Corps history, customs, courtesies and traditions. In order to advance in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program a Marine must meet specific PME requirements as well as show the tactical and technical proficiency required of a basic rifleman. Each Marine will participate in Martial Culture Studies that will enhance their understanding of being a warrior and part of a warrior society. These Martial Culture Studies will add to both the Mental and Character Disciplines.
As a warrior our profession is inherently dangerous. Each Marine will be educated from the beginning of his Marine Corps and martial arts training with the fundamental principle that safety is a key consideration in all that we do on or off duty. This includes not only individual safety measures but will comprise training leaders in the art of operational risk management and assessment.
The Mental Discipline will create a smarter Marine, capable of understanding and handling the complexity of modern warfare. It will create a Marine who is tactically and technically competent, and capable of decision making under any condition from combat to liberty. This training, beginning with the transformation of recruit training will be the foundation of the "strategic corporal" and the future leadership of our Corps."
Here is the Physical Discipline quote from the same manual:
"PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE
The sinew of what every Marine must be prepared to execute; to seek out, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and movement and repel their assault by fire and close combat. This is how we win the nation's battles and win the three-block war. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program is a weapons based system beginning at assault fire, moving to the bayonet, edged weapons, weapons of opportunity and ending, potentially in unarmed combat; unarmed combat having a role across the spectrum of combat.
Assault Fire Techniques (advanced combat marksmanship techniques are the starting point from which bayonet training flows); this ties-in the battle proven Marine Corps marksmanship program with the Martial Arts Program, creating a synergy between the two. From assault firing the battle is joined with bayonet, edged weapons, weapons of opportunity, and finally unarmed combat.
A key element of the physical discipline is combative conditioning - a program that goes a level beyond our current physical fitness program. It combines the physical fitness dividends of combative arts training with those of traditional physical fitness, water survival training, and rough terrain skills training. It is designed to mitigate the human factors experienced during combat that have a physically debilitating effect on the human body, allow a Marine to fight in any terrain and under any climatic condition, and face the rigors of the dispersed battlefield encountered in modern combat."
You will notice in particular in the physical discipline portion a descending order from the Marine Marksmanship program to MCMAP so that there is a flow to Bayonet to edged weapons, weapons of opportunity and finally at the end unarmed combat. The training is geared towards and around weapons with empty hand as a last resort.
Here is the Mental Discipline quote from the manual:
"MENTAL DISCIPLINE
The Mental Discipline encompasses the study of the art of war to include professional military education (PME) and the professional reading program, Marine Corps Common Skills Training (MCCS), decision making training, the historical study of war, the tactics and techniques of expeditionary maneuver warfare, risk operational management, force protection, and a study of Marine Corps history, customs, courtesies and traditions. In order to advance in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program a Marine must meet specific PME requirements as well as show the tactical and technical proficiency required of a basic rifleman. Each Marine will participate in Martial Culture Studies that will enhance their understanding of being a warrior and part of a warrior society. These Martial Culture Studies will add to both the Mental and Character Disciplines.
As a warrior our profession is inherently dangerous. Each Marine will be educated from the beginning of his Marine Corps and martial arts training with the fundamental principle that safety is a key consideration in all that we do on or off duty. This includes not only individual safety measures but will comprise training leaders in the art of operational risk management and assessment.
The Mental Discipline will create a smarter Marine, capable of understanding and handling the complexity of modern warfare. It will create a Marine who is tactically and technically competent, and capable of decision making under any condition from combat to liberty. This training, beginning with the transformation of recruit training will be the foundation of the "strategic corporal" and the future leadership of our Corps."
Here is the Physical Discipline quote from the same manual:
"PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE
The sinew of what every Marine must be prepared to execute; to seek out, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and movement and repel their assault by fire and close combat. This is how we win the nation's battles and win the three-block war. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program is a weapons based system beginning at assault fire, moving to the bayonet, edged weapons, weapons of opportunity and ending, potentially in unarmed combat; unarmed combat having a role across the spectrum of combat.
Assault Fire Techniques (advanced combat marksmanship techniques are the starting point from which bayonet training flows); this ties-in the battle proven Marine Corps marksmanship program with the Martial Arts Program, creating a synergy between the two. From assault firing the battle is joined with bayonet, edged weapons, weapons of opportunity, and finally unarmed combat.
A key element of the physical discipline is combative conditioning - a program that goes a level beyond our current physical fitness program. It combines the physical fitness dividends of combative arts training with those of traditional physical fitness, water survival training, and rough terrain skills training. It is designed to mitigate the human factors experienced during combat that have a physically debilitating effect on the human body, allow a Marine to fight in any terrain and under any climatic condition, and face the rigors of the dispersed battlefield encountered in modern combat."
You will notice in particular in the physical discipline portion a descending order from the Marine Marksmanship program to MCMAP so that there is a flow to Bayonet to edged weapons, weapons of opportunity and finally at the end unarmed combat. The training is geared towards and around weapons with empty hand as a last resort.
Most of ours say that training MMA ( or any martial art for that matter) is actually a relaxation for them rather than part of their military training. The fitness training isn't a strain or extra work because they do PT anyway, they like the banter and way martial arts people are, they don't have to 'behave' to fit in. Many civvies find the military 'different', they do appreciate them but they can be scary and the sense of humour differs a lot from civvies. Training and competing in any sport is fun and can take away worries for a while, that's why the Invicta Games and the like are so very important.
