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Three Soldiers with the 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, along with a civilian instructor taught a self-defense class to 18th MP Bde. Soldiers and spouses recently on Sembach Kaserne.
Head instructor Sgt. 1st Class Ronnell W. Foster and Maj. Rahsaan H. Jackson, the operations officer-in-charge, developed the idea while researching ways to keep Soldiers and their family members safe from sexual assaults.
“Major Jackson and I were discussing ways to enhance the (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention) program and we came up with (Combating Against Assault Sexual Harassment),” Foster said. “We sat down and put a plan together to reach out to the spouses through the Family Readiness Group.”
Jackson said it makes the Army stronger when its Soldiers know how to defend themselves.
“It’s one thing to understand what a SHARP poster says about what behaviors are acceptable and what phone number to call, but this information is only useful after the crime has been committed,” he said. “I would rather see formations where every Soldier has the skills to evade threatening situations and the skills to defend themselves intelligently.”
Their plan to equip students with the means to defend themselves included Sgt. 1st Class Jean Jacquet, 95th MP Battalion operations NCO; Sgt. 1st Class James B. Kerney, operations NCO; Ty Leblanc; and Foster’s extensive experience in martial arts, SHARP and NCO training.
However, the most important aspects of the class were not the actual fighting techniques.
“Situational awareness is always the best defense. The buddy system is also important,” Foster said. “We are teaching defensive tactics to build confidence so in the event you are targeted, you will be knowledgeable in how to resist and potentially escape. The goal is to resist and escape, not to engage with your attacker.”
The fighting techniques taught in the class were vulnerable striking areas, proper striking techniques, and defense from the front and back.
Eleven Soldiers, family members and civilians attended the class, including Jenna Miller, wife of Sgt. Lashawn Miller, a forward deployed administration NCO.
“I liked the hands on training and being able to practice hitting and kicking on the red suit,” said Jenna Miller. “It was very helpful.”
The red suit consists of red padded material and metal made to protect the wearer against blows and other injuries.
“I would definitely participate again,” Jenna Miller said.
And she may have the opportunity to do so. Organizers said they planned to offer additional training opportunities.
“We are planning to hold additional classes after the holiday season,” Foster said.
Future classes will be open to Soldiers, civilians and family members 17 and older. For more information, contact Foster at 496-3533.
