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Although the Modern Army Combatives Program is a program developed by the U.S. Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion, it has spread throughout the military services. In buildings, motor pools and grassy patches of land all over the world, U.S. service members are sweating, struggling and coming together to learn lifesaving techniques through this 20-year-old program. This is Army combatives.
Soldiers and Airmen in the KMC are engaging in training and certification in the MACP, and units in the area are using the program to train and build camaraderie.
The 21st Theater Sustain-ment Command’s 21st Special Troops Battalion hosts a weekly “roll” on Panzer Kaserne for all Soldiers in the command footprint. Warriors from the “First in Support” command sacrifice their lunch hours to practice techniques they are familiar with and learn new ones from more experienced noncommissioned officers.
The battalion also plans to host Basic Combatives Course certification in coming months, said Sgt. 1st Class Ronnell W. Foster, 21st TSC Ready and Resilient coordinator and combatives instructor.
“I think combatives is important in keeping our Soldiers in shape and building that warrior spirit that they need to have,” said Foster, a Detroit native. “When applied to the Army and the battlefield, anything can happen. Weapons jam, systems malfunction and Soldiers need to know how to defend themselves. That is what we practice here.”
The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command’s 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery is also placing a strong emphasis on combatives training. Unit leaders are hosting multiple BCC and Tactical Combatives Course certifications for Soldiers and Airmen serving in the KMC. Staff Sgt. Donald Thatcher, 5-7 ADA combatives master trainer, recently hosted a BCC certification on Ramstein Air Base for students from the 86th Security Forces Squadron.
“Whether they’re Army or Air Force, it doesn’t matter,” Thatcher said. “Combatives is a good skill to have and develop regardless of branch. Everyone who went through the course, Soldiers and Airmen, is leaving with a better understanding of these techniques and the ability to pass that knowledge along. This helps the warrior, no matter what branch.”
Airmen from the 86th SFS agreed with their instructor.
“As security forces we get some combatives training in the Air Force, but this training really solidifies our capabilities,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Kenneth G. Taylor, security forces NCO. “Going through and rolling with the Army also brought the entire class together.”
Units from the Army and Air Force are making efforts to increase combatives training and certification in the future. Many leaders believe that this form of training is a way for any organization to build camaraderie and strengthen their warriors.
“Modern Army Combatives is not just a great way for Soldiers to train on life saving techniques that have real application on the battlefield,” said Staff Sgt. David Maybury, 7th Civil Support Command training NCO, a combatives master trainer certified instructor. “When service members train together in combatives by rolling and practicing their technique, they strengthen their resiliency, build bonds and embody the warrior spirit.”
