The US Marine Corps is compelled to train soldiers in the martial arts in as little as 6 weeks. Consequently, an amalgam of techniques has been developed to equip the soldier for self-defense and, if required, to dispatch an enemy quickly. Marines are trained in martial arts at Parris Island in a facility called the Thunderdome that includes a wood chip base to prevent injury. General Michael Hagee is one of the most accomplished US Marine practitioners.
Kicking
US Marines are taught effective kicking derived from a variety of martial arts. Kicking usually involves short kicks to the knee, shin or groin. A sharp downward kick to the knee can easily break the entire leg by forcing it backward. Despite conventional wisdom, a kick to the knee is more likely to bring down an opponent than a kick to the groin (which causes pain that is easier to recover from). Roundhouse kicks require more dexterity but can be deadly. These are kicks to the kidneys, lower abdomen and thighs.
Asian Martial Arts
The most widely used style of Asian martial arts in the Marines is based on Hung-Gar Kung Fu. Hung-Gar combines the Tiger and Crane systems of fighting. Low, squatting, Horse Stance practice produces powerful legs that can facilitate kicks. Intense punching training at increasing levels of speed and complexity, often while marching forward, produce stinging, damaging violent punches. These close-quarter unarmed fighting methods are a Marine hallmark.
Chokes
If an enemy cannot be stopped with punches or kicks, chokes are used. Horizontal ground chokes are often the most deadly. Chokes include headlocks or attacks with the elbows to an opponent approaching from behind (who is subsequently grabbed around the neck). Among the common chokes is the scissors-choke, whereby the opponent, while on the ground, is grabbed by the lapels with the protagonist's arms crossed and pressing down into the carotid artery of the neck. This drops the blood pressure, causing the opponent to pass out; with more intense pressure the enemy can be dispatched.
Throws
Knocking down an opponent and severely damaging his back can be accomplished through throws. These are largely derived from Judo. Throws span a wide range including frontal throws, throws in which you butts your opponent's head first, and reverse throws, which are common because they are easy to teach. Grabbing and pushing an opponent's shirt and chest, and reversing your body while pulling your opponent's arm, creates tremendous leverage allowing a smaller soldier to easily toss a larger one.
Defenses Against Attack by Weapons
If an enemy points a gun to the head or holds a knife to the throat, Marine self-defense targets several areas. Knife attacks are thwarted by quickly moving to the opponent's side and twisting or slapping the knife from the hand. Kicks to the knee often drop an opponent armed with a gun or knife. Guns pointed to the head are intercepted with an instantaneous drop to the ground on the part of the victim, who then grabs the opponent's hand and twists the hand and gun 180 degrees to drop both the weapon and opponent to the ground.
Warnings
US Marine Corps training is best learned in the military. Books are enlightening and entertaining, but military training is very dangerous. Those who wish to defend themselves should attend a conventional, commercial, martial arts school.
References
- "The Elite Forces Handbook of Unarmed Combat"; Ron Shillingford; 2000
- "To Be A US Marine"; S.F. Tomajczyk; 2004
- "The Few and the Proud"; Larry Smith; 2006
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