Military Close Combat Training

Hand-to-hand combat (abbreviated as HTH or H2H) from a military perspective is defined in the U.S. Army publication FM 3-25.150 as "an engagement between two or more persons with or without hand-held weapons such as knives, sticks, or projectile weapons within the range of physical contact." Combatives are "the techniques and tactics useful to soldiers involved in hand-to-hand combat." Most military organizations, including the United States, teach their warriors some form of hand-to-hand combat, especially those in Special Forces.

Knife Fighting

Hand-to-hand combat training often utilizes some form of a weapon, with combat knives being especially common. Knives are versatile weapons for the modern warrior and can be held in a variety of ways (each with advantages and disadvantages). The primary differences between grips are range and power, though ingenuity of the individual combatants comes into play. The Marine Corps places emphasis on knife fighting for all Marines as of 2010.

The Unifight

Unifighting (Universal Fighting) is not a martial art, but is a sports-based system that can train skills already in place. It involves two stages. The first is an obstacle course that requires the combatant to fire a rifle or throw a knife; the second is a full-contact fight between two combatants.

The unifight involves running between several obstacles, which must all be negotiated. Missing any one of the obstacles or targets results in disqualification. Running is required between each obstacle.

The second stage of the unifight involves unarmed combat against a competitor. Any fighting style is welcome, but rules apply to each combatant as far as what areas can be hit. The combat is full-contact, however, so injuries are possible.

Publications

Several publications within the military branches teach limited combat skill. One such manual was written in 2002 by then-Sergeant First Class Matt Larsen. The manual, "Field Manual 3-25.150 (Combatives)", teaches--among other things--basic and advanced ground-fighting, take downs, throws, and strikes. Such manuals are sometimes available online.

Classes

While manuals are helpful for describing maneuvers and provide a rough framework on which a civilian may build his skills, actual practice is arguably the most effective way of learning techniques. Virginia Military Institute employs civilian instructors to teach combatives, although an understanding of various martial arts can help any warrior (civilian or military). Krav Maga, the Israeli "contact combat" martial art of their special operations warriors, is widely available.

Warning

Martial arts are combat skills intended to cause pain, injury, and/or death to a victim or combatant. The use of martial arts should be employed only when necessary, and may result in legal complications, injury, and/or death. Do not attempt to practice any martial art or form of fighting without the instruction or supervision of a trained professional.

References

• FM 3-25.150 Combatives

Resources

• ICCIA