Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) 

As a former Marine & Instructor Trainer for both the L.I.N.E. and MCMAP programs, I approve of this video. Very well made and informative for civilians that want information on the subject matter and Devil Dogs that want to reminisce. The only issue I had with both systems is that it wasn't practiced enough once you get to the fleet. Otherwise the material is excellent.

Honestly one of the best things about MCMAP was the fall training. Falling correctly can save you from many broken bones. And learning how to fall in combat gear is extremely important as you are much heavier. This can save you well into your later years.

I joined the Marine Corps in 99 when we were still doing LINE training. I got my MCMAP tan belt in Okinawa, my instructor tab some years later at MCRD San Diego as a green belt, and my black belt while in Afghanistan. Some the best training of my life. Practical and applicable to most situations. And yes I've had to use those skills and technics to defend myself on multiple occasions. Usually those who don't like MCMAP are boots who think its supposed to turn you into Bruce Lee after you get your green belt, have never been in a real knock down drag out fight or actually did have boring instructors that were also just trying to get that period of instruction over with.

Honestly was a judo blue belt before I joined. MCMAP has judo ukemi throws chokes and locks as well as some MT and boxing. It really is an awesome program and the training itself is more hardcore than any training in the civilian gyms. Knives and firearms are included. I only got up to green but with my judo background it was easy to ad to MCMAP. Alot of MCMAP instructors has MMA and martial arts backgrounds and they bring that element to their training and modify it for the military. Its a awesome style very adaptable and can be overpowering just because of the brutal training. Semper Gumby

Love this episode. I’m an old guy that learned LINE and have brushed up on MCMAP on my own just for fun. Since you said LINE is a topic for another video I’ll be waiting excitedly for it.

As a former Marine that's been through the old LINE training and MCMAP I'd say MCMAP is more realistic. I was a grunt and I dont think we did this enough due to the operational tempo and other training that had to be done.

MCMAP has always been interesting to me. Despite people who claim MMA is the best I always preferred stuff that has realism in the street instead of a Ring. Great Vid man!

Growing up on a Navy base (Ford Island, Pearl Harbor HI) , I used to spar with Marines & SEALs at the base gym that I worked at (which is now the Pacific Aviation Museum). We'd put on 12oz gloves & headgear & go at it. This was in the pre- MCMAP days, so the Marines just had their basic hand to hand or LINE training. Those guys were tough as nails, but easy to counter as they had no technique other than bull rushing and trying to take your head off. And they didn't really understand the concept of "light sparring". So I took a lot of hard hits before countering. I can only imagine the world of pain if my sparring mates had been MCMAP trained! The guys who were SEALs were 100x more dangerous as most of them had prior martial arts training and though they had more control, they could hit me at will. Talk about learning how to fight under pressure! I learned more from those few months of extra-curricular sparring sessions than years in the dojo! I've got to give props to today's servicemen & women -- in my opinion, today's soldier is the best trained (a big part due to the real life combat experience in Iraq & Afghanistan). As training continues to evolve, future generations will be even more well rounded, I think.

Also having went through military service myself back in the early 90s (US Army) I have noticed that the various combative programs one learned just going through basic training, changed too frequently, and often became less effective before being revised much, much later into something more effective. Nowadays, the really effective Combatives are only learned if such is considered necessary for certain MOS (Rangers, Snipers, MP, Special Forces, etc.). MCMAP, from what I understand, is one of the most effective Combatives programs one will learn and start to become proficient in graduating basic. In older times, the combatives taught in all forms of US military times, made all service members, regardless of the branch, decently capable of handling themselves as the programs were more thorough. It's nice to see the USMC return to such former standards and then further evolve such programs.

MCMAP is awesome program, I bought the manual few years ago and myself and fellow instructors had a lot of fun going through the whole program. Also, thanks for interview Dan, was posted yesterday

Thank all who serves and still does !!

While serving with the Marines on the USS Belleuwood LHA-3; I observed them doing the MCMAP training. I also taught a few marines and sailors some jujitsu, Kenpo, and Shuri Te in the ships gym. One was a CPL who told me what I taught him is a great tie in to what the MCMAP system taught him. He was a green belt in the MCMAP system and watched him go up for his brown. He also told me he did not really like the MCMAP and I taught him more than the Marines taught him; he said the the only thing he really liked was the knife fighting and the striking techniques with the rifles. Always enjoy your videos and giving feedback. May your journey in the martial arts be full of wisdom and enlightenment and may we always learn from each other; from one Kenpo practitioner to another (though I was only in it for 3 years; 1987 - 1990; but the martial arts for 45 years). Best always. Oss. Master Timothy L. Kerofsky, MA 9th Dan Shorinjiryu Kempo

My brother went through MCMAP when he was in the USMC and now he trains jiu-jitsu where I train good video he said you did a good job explaining and capturing the experience of MCMAP keep up the good work

I got as far as a Green belt and actually wanted to at least get my Brown belt. I wanted to go to the MACE to become a Black Belt Instructor/Trainer. I feel the complaints you got probably come from Marines that may only did 1 enlistment, although Career Marines may have complained. The reason I say that is because of how long it takes or took some Marines to advance in belts because of operation tempo and how a lot of us were deployed. The other reason for the complaints can come from the same reason any other Martial Art, or anything that can be taught, is the instructor. If your instructor sucks, it makes learning suck. To be a MCMAP Instructor, you obviously have to be proficient in it, but you may not have the knack for teaching in a way to reach everyone. I believe it’s a good system and teaches Marines how to apply the right amount of force for most situations.

I have wondered about this system and now know what its called. Your review is very comprehensive. Thank you! It seems VERY similar to the American Kenpo (military) system taught to me by a 10th Mountain Division close combat instructor. Deadly serious.

I like MCMAP it's a gritty fighting style made for life and death situations

It's an awesome program if you can get through it. Very physically demanding. It lacks the details and fine points of most techniques, but for military basic combat training, it is very efficient. Great video Dan! 😊👍

MCMAP is a very intriguing system of self-development and combat. It is VERY useful to dissuade your casual fighters from aggressing, but when a young Marine digs in and understands the fundamentals past Grey Belt, they really start to see the Power of Life/Death that they have IN their hands, without weapons systems...It is fundamentally challenging to most people...Good Marines can comprehend and master this.

I had a Black Belt instructor, Gunnery Sgt. teach me in Pensacola Fl and I loved it. I think it’s very applicable to what Marines do. But you only get out what you put in! SEMPER FI

Great video, I served when this system was first implemented I kept an open mind I do have a wrestling/bjj background and still I learned a lot from this program. Not everyone wants to do this type of training my because it exposes your strengths and weaknesses.

This is great topic to do multiple videos on such as UK SAS, delta force, seals, paratroopers, Israeli special forces and spetznaz.

It's good to see that hand to hand has evolved. When I was in army basic training in 1986, the system was very weak. Myself and three others in my platoon were martial artists, so we did things more effective. Of course drill sgt said, "I know I have some Bruce Lees, but do it the way the army wants it." We did a lot of push-ups that day. But it was fun.

MCMAP most definitely the best experience I had . It has shaped my life to the person I am now, respect, discipline and strength in mind. Highly appreciate my instructor who I have a respect beyond respect, I thank him very much.

I have two relatives and a close friend who were all Marines. They all achieved different ranks in the MCMAP program and all said something different about it which I will Parrot here: Tan belt: “They teach just enough to get your ass kicked by a semi competent tough guy at a bar” Green belt: “In the few cases during some house clearing I relied on my own Judo background more than anything I was taught in the program. It’s probably okay if you came into the corps without having any idea of how to fight. But I had a 2nd Dan in Judo so that is what I used and it saved my life. I am not sure I would trust using what I was taught (as a Marine) in the same situations to have kept me safe.” Black Belt: “I was an instructor for the program, if I am being honest not enough time is given to the newer guys for them to reliably use it. Like any martial art repetition is key, and most guys would rather spend their time on the range or learning more technical skills than martial arts. I think there’s a lot of good in the program but it takes time to learn and getting it to become reflexive. I think it can be paired down a bit more to the techniques that you are more likely to be encountering but that’s for people much smarter than me to decide. I think the biggest advantage it has is that it does get you use to the stress of a real fight fairly quickly.”

I have no military or police experience myself, but I teach some police DT instructors. One of the things they've told me about teaching police Is that when it becomes a necessary skill for your job, maintaining the skill becomes a chore, and who likes doing chores? It is one of the major frustrations that these DT instructors complain about. There's also the ego component, many don't want to put their ego aside, get their ass handed to them, and learn how to prevent that. This may explain some of the gripes about MCMAP. I know police and military are different, but I suspect there are enough similarities that this is something to consider.

The Army has Modern Army Combatives, you should do a video on that.

This will probably be an unpopular opinion, but I think military martial arts tends to be like military food. Good for supplying a lot of people with a little time, hopefully well enough to keep them alive and working. Not particularly developed, but good enough for what is normally needed. Honestly I think the most important part is developing the mentality to fight for your life, with technical development being less important in a battlefield situation.

this was a great vid looking forward to see more vids like this

As far as the Marines who are complaining about this... the fun in anything is completely taken out when you are required to do it. And Marines (and all other service members for that matter) LOVE to complain. It's how they cope with "the suck."

I earned my first degree black belt in MCMAP during my time in the Marine Corps. MCMAP definitely has its detractors but like any martial art it requires constant training and involvement. Those that dedicate time to regular training in the MCMAP will find it effective. The issue comes with those who do the minimum. You can achieve a particular rank go to a 1-2 week course and get your next belt with no requirement to do anything else. MCMAP if regularly conducted as unit PT can be effective, but like anything else takes hard work.

This video is very good and it shows how the Marines martial arts training differs from the Army. I hope there will be a video in the future about the martial arts training that the Special Forces receive and also how the U.S. programs differ from the Asian and European military forces.

I got LINE training back in '97, and into International Kenpo Karate Jiu Jitsu when I got out the Corps. Unfortunately have had to use it, and to be honest kenpo has never failed me. Truth is tho I spend 6 days a week in the dojo and and train for 4 hrs a day, so you get what you put into it. IMO I believe self defense classes like krav are best for modern day scenarios, I think belts are cool for us karate nerds that live for the lifestyle, but a belt wont save you. Semper Fi and stay safe!

As a green belt MCMAP and a black belt American taekwondo this video is very informative, and also entertaining. I actually saw some of my fellow devil dogs training here. Semper Fi SSgt Gamba 0369

Wow this was a very eye opening. Great video!

Like any system, it was built for a purpose. When you're weighed down with gear, certain techniques just don't work. I was a mcmap instructor and I loved teaching all aspects of the art. I agree 100 percent that you find the best art for you the individual. We broke up training into exercise, technique, reps and a tie in (history, mindset, core values etc.). My biggest part of training was character building and heart. I don't care if you're the fastest, strongest, or great athlete. I care that you don't quit and help your fellow Marines and work as a team. We had many ways to test this through many different exercises and drills. Exercise stations to technique stations. Can you do the technique properly when you're tired and exhausted. Testing would include techniques from the previous belts and you had completely pass those in order to proceed to the next belt. Requirements for higher belts extended outside the art. Learn a different system, coach a youth sport team, etc. There's a lot to the system.

Thank you for this video. Hopefully everyone will see that mcmap looks a lot like Kenpo, Kajukenbo, Mo Duk Pai. We also study strategy and morals. I think this video should put to rest mma people who argue that Kenpo isn't effective. Mcmap looks like Kenpo training.

I was Army 12 years and we mainly learned ground fighting techniques, however considering I already had a martial arts back ground when I joined the ground fighting added to my Martial training.

My Grampa did 2 tours in Korean War as a Gunnery Sgt. In the Marines. 1st Marine Brigade and the training he did in form of hand to hand combat was Boxing and Judo. He’s still alive and well and is very small few still alive of the Frozen Chosen... I sent this video because I know he would love to see the curriculum of the marines now. Since he was a Drill Instructor himself. 👍🏼

MCMAP rules, did and taught this . 30 yrs as marine and worth all the time in the world

Interesting look at MCMAP! You always bring a level of civility and respect to any art you cover, which is very much appreciated (and all too often lacking in online discussions of fighting styles). Really enjoy your channel!

Love this episode. Reminded me a lot of the episode of Human Weapon that explored MCMAP. Being an Air Force member and a longtime martial artist, I would love for the USAF to adopt MCMAP or similar martial arts program. I think airmen would definitely benefit from martial arts training

Semper Fi to all Marines everywhere! Keep fighting!

I served in the Marine Corps when they switched to MCMAP. I only reached the tan belt because administration lost the paperwork to add it to my record 3 or 4 times in a row. I had a buddy that grew up learning Escrima, and he hated the knife fighting training. We were in Haiti for a humanity mission. With it being a small group, heel was teaching us knife fighting based on his previous training. Sometime in the afternoon, the 1st lieutenant comes around and asks what we are doing. Short story I ended up in a knife sparing match with the Lieutenant. I can't say one form was better than the other, but I still use the escrima principles today.

One of my Sensei helped develop MCMAP and is subsequently a black belt emeritus. I joined the Army instead but all of my MC friends have mixed opinions (like you said) about MCMAP. Some loved it and trained up to black belt instructor and others call it MCSLAP. I like the program from what I've seen - I also liked what I saw of LINE when it was around. I really enjoy the Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP). I agree with blowtorch-sky (below), a MACP video would be a good next episode. Good call, blowtorch-sky ! Great video, Mr. Dan!

I love this channel. You have some of the best subjects. If not the best in Marital arts subject matters.

Thank You. Brilliant ‼️🫵🏾

Would love to see a perspective on Modern Army Combatives someday.

You did it! I'm so happy!

MCMAP is not a complete system. It is a foundation by which a Marine can build upon.

Thank you.

Unfortunately, I was already out of the USMC before this program came to fruition but my Martial Arts instructor Arcenio J. Advincula helped create and develop MCMAP, which is awesome! Just had to give a shout out...Ooohrah moment

Sometimes it is good to train in real life conditions and in actual gear you would be wearing. That alone makes this a great martial art.

In search of self-defense systems I stumbled upon MCMAP and went through a series of instruction videos as well as the whole manual. I guess it's a great system because of its simplicity but I consider it a conglomeration of basics to actively work with, otherwise it would be a waste of time (this applies to any other martial art as well). I will integrate parts of it in a daily routine to my own liking. I did 8 years of Taekwondo and I kept a vivid interest in martial arts in general, but after a pause lasting several years I felt I need a quick refreshment with some additions and a nudge into the direction of self-defense. For this purpose it seems to me to be a good start. (for self-control and other mindset-related issues I recommend some years in retail 😛)

Good basic stuff, back in the mid 80’s while in basic training in Ft Sill OK I had some of that training not as advanced like the usmc. Any training is good training. Like I always say: the belt is just a fashion statement, you are good as your training is. Good for the usmc.👍🏻🥋

Looks like a very effective system my late friend than I used to practice

Was active duty Marine 02-06. I had martial arts training prior. Tan belt training in our basic training is just that, basic martial arts training. As I progressed, I realized the quality of the training depended on the instructor. Some emphasize one aspect more than others, and some bring their own flare to their curriculum. One of my favorite instructors was a big boxing fan, so we had some great conditioning drills. I dont recall you mentioning the "body hardening" drills where we would hit/kick ech other to deaden the nerves. Great video!!

First and always follow. Thanks for videos sir...

I went through MCMAP back in June 2001, when it was a new thing. I think it was a pretty valuable program, particularly for people who had no hand to hand combat training. I think the key distinction between MCMAP and MMA is that in MCMAP, you are generally trying to kill your opponent. Throat punches, hyper extending joints, kicks to the nuts, breaking bones, using bayonettes, rifle butt strokes, all would be considered illegal in an MMA setting. You also don't get to fight opponents of equal weight and size. I remember one afternoon, we were doing bag training on the beach in San Diego, and I got paired up with a much bigger guy. I was around 160lbs and he was around 230lbs. He was doing body hooks into the bag I was holding, and his punches were hitting like a truck. I did everything I could to hold the bag tight with my full body weight, and he was hitting the bag so hard that my head was whip lashing into the bag. I ended up getting a bloody nose and bleeding all over the bag. I was like, "yeah... good training, but I wouldn't want to get into a fist fight with a guy like this. I would get destroyed." Realistically, I know I wouldn't do well in most real fights, especially against larger opponents. I have a wiry athletic build, and my light weight allows me to have higher endurance than most people. Faced with a fight, I would run away. I would use my superior endurance to exhaust my opponent, and when they have nothing left to give, I would turn around and fight them with whatever reserves I have left in the tank. Kind of a harrying style. The whole time as I'm running, I'd be looking for weapons of opportunity: knives, sticks, chairs, lamps, guns, etc. -- anything to turn the balance decisively into my favor. Even more realistically, you really just don't want to be put into a situation where you have to fight hand to hand. Fighting hand to hand is a last resort and usually means the battle has gotten really rough and desperate -- you're probably also sending cooks to the front. Focus on doing your MOS well and thinking tactically on the battlefield and you will likely never have to fight hand to hand.

I don't understand how you can say even if you think mixed martial arts is better. MMA isn't a system the marine program is MMA. People seem to think mma is a specific system. It's not. Your mma is a style made from different systems and your mma style will be different from mine. You might train karate, boxing, aikido vs my tkd, panantukan and sambo. It confuses me how (not that this happened in your video) but staunch/ religious martial artists can claim Bruce Lee invented mma yet in the same breath claim they study mma as a system. It's completely counter to his concepts. I wonder how many Friday night mma warriors can actually break down their mma style, it's influences, and the sciences in each of the systems they have blended to make their style. Understanding such can only be productive towards ones over all development. All in all another great video. One of the few alerts I actually feel excited to respond to. I'm now going to go find the manual.

That's good stuff, very practical...I like their belt ranking system too.

very cool

I am the weapon. Love the video keep up the good work.

Great video. Thanks

Thanks for this information, I have a folkstyle and freestyle wrestling background, with some boxing and muay thai. I have been interested on finding out more about MCMAP, and I plan on joining the Marines after my college career in wrestling.

I served in the Marines back in the LINE fighting days. MCMAP was developed to teach Marines hand to hand combat, and also less than lethal fighting skills which they can use when deployed as a "police" force such as in times of natural disaster etc. Not much different than Ju-Jitsu. Only thing I don't agree with is teaching Marines to go to the ground for things such as an arm bar. Under stress you will do what you're trained to do and although it may be appropriate in a "police" action, going to the ground in a life or death combat situation is something I strongly disagree with. Just too many unknowns in a fast changing combat situation to be wrapped up on the ground.

I dont have any experiences with MCMAP but i do my research and the problem i see is not necessarily on techniques but it's the consistency of training especially sparring. Unlike the popular belief MMA type of thing is actually good for soldiers and marines mentally and physically. If a recruit is scared after the got off the bus on the first day it's even scarier for a beginner having his first sparring which is i think better than shouting and marching drills for modern combat. There is a reason why men who are fearless usually came from dangerous areas or have to deal with a lot of conflict physically or verbally which combat sports training can accomodate, which is i think valuable in the Military.

LOYALTY RESPECT

I was shocked to see Capoeira included in the striking section of the list. Kudos🔥

Love that Cobra Kia shirt!

Decision making is #1. Physical Conditionning #2.

I agree with Combat03 I served in USMC myself in an infantry battalion. The fundamentals and techniques are well rounded and effective, the only down side is not training enough frequently to be completely professional at it as any martial art or self defense training requires repetitious practice.

And the most important part - dealing with stress and managing your fears. It's much, much better to learn to manage combat stress and how to de-escalate where possible when you're dealing with a big sweaty bloke punching you in the face than it is if your first experience that mental and physical overload in a firefight or facing a knife wielding loon at a checkpoint.

Mcmap from what I can see is Bjj, judo, karate, teakwondo, Muay Thai, kali, boxing, kickboxing, Krav Maga, and wrestling it is the development Warrior.

As a Marine I can tell you it is very effective in a combat situation, but I would like to see more krav maga in it .

you should look at macp next

This is super interesting!

one of my instructors at my martial arts academy is one of the creators of mcmap

Ooh Rah As a Marine in my latter years, and with the idea that most people like to think they are MMA fighters, it is highly likely to be severely injured in an altercation nowadays...therefore my outlook is simple..... If someone puts me in a position where I need to defend myself, they will simply get deadly force in return, 100% of the time.

On the point you made about MCMAP's purpose in modern warfare, one other note is that the Marine Corps also fulfills security at US embassies across the world through the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. MCMAP is even more pertinent in those roles.

Great video! Over the year, I've been looking into which military has the best martial art program. I would say Krav Maga and MCMAP are the best overall systems that are being used by soldiers at the moment. I say this because they seem to have a broader spectrum of training and techniques.... Other military martial arts seem to be mostly based on sparring. I'm not saying sparring is bad, but there's so much more to deal with when it comes to self defence. Also, here's an idea, maybe you could look into other military martial arts.

Was a martial artist growing up, always wanted to join the military, my family has a long service history, One of the big factors that made me interested in the USMC was MCMAP, but I ultimately decided that the marine corps wasn’t the right fight for me, shipping out to the coast guard in a few months!

I was a Jiu-jitsu black belt in California well before I became a Marine. I ended up teaching later in San Diego, Virginia and various places abroad, etc. As both a marine and in instructor, I've been stabbed, shot and feared for my life in close combat. It's not something you want to ever deal with, because there is someone trying to kill you. I've let people o Go, but you can only allow a person so much. My best advice is to attack whatever your opponent gives you.. And to attack with everything available to you to kill whoever is in front of you. Use all parts of you and be flexible. Be ready to move forward at all times after you've dispatched your opponent. Train towards excellence.

At tan belt it gives you enough tools to deal with roughly any situation you would come across including taking down and restraining combatants. I would give it an overall favorable review. I used it in Iraq so can say the techniques work, and they are simple enough to easily become second nature when you actually need to use them.

I can honestly say going from the Marine Corps to becoming a cop…the only aspect of this program that worked was closing the distance and giving controlled aggression to an enemy, it’s saved me from getting my ass whooped a couple of times… If you go through this I promise you, you won’t freeze up when your met with aggression!

Over a year and a half ago you did a handful of interviews. Personally I'd like to hear some more in the future. One person that I'm a fan of that perhaps most of your viewers haven't heard of is Sakura Kokumai. Sakura is a fourth degree black belt in Inour-ha shito-ryu and ranked number five in the world in women's kata in the WKF. She's also the only American who will represent the U.S. in karate at the 2020/21 Olympic games in Tokyo (provided they aren't cancelled again). Born in Hawaii to Japanese parents. Started karate as a child under world champion Elisa Au. Then switched over to Chuzo Kotaka (Au's sensei) who had produced a number of kata and kumite champions. Went to university in Japan where she began training under Yoshimi Inoue and his top student Rika Usami. When it was announced karate would be at the 2020 games she quit her job and moved back to the United States. Really cool story. You could probably get a hold of her via her various social media accounts.

I think one thing most people miss about the military martial arts programs is that they're more intended to further the warrior frame of mind than for actual combat. You're not going to be rolling in full kit trying to get an arm bar on someone who is actively trying to kill you, you're going to fight long enough to get to a weapon and then you're going to kill your attacker. In practical usage, they're for controlling non-lethal threats. At least, this is what military trainers and high level SOF guys seem to think.

Yeah I first learned mcmap at mcrd Paris island I was already a black belt in Tang Soo do and I found out how effective mcmap is compared to my traditional martial arts background I found it to be very practical except for the aikido and weapon defense which I thought was shit I actually found krav maga to be more effective for that but other than that I really enjoyed the mcmap system semper Fi

The Army needs this to be taught to all soldiers as well.

Also sir,many modern warfare scenarios are based on hostage rescue and covert anti-terrorist operations. So for CQC Martial arts is necessary...

Happy new year mcmap defendu line krav maga is great in street fight

I liked this video. Check out Modern Army Combatives Program similar concept but different execution which is used by both the US Army and USAF.

I believe that the only downside to MCMAP and MACP is time. As the producer of this video stated abundantly clear, the MMA fighters have time which soldiers and marines don't have. But I believe if anyone actually dedicates enough time to mastering MACP and MCMAP they would be deadly af.

MCMAP and MACP can be an interesting combination for civilians self defense ( bayonet and specific military application a part).

I liked MCMAP. A lot of stuff can be used in a bad situation.

And if someone reads the comments and got interested in Kali, there's a style called pekiti tirsia. It's what they teach the pH military

The iron test of any combatives oriented training program is whether the trainee can successfully execute what he has been taught in the real world. So, the real feedback you need about MCMAP is from people who have gone hands on for real, not guys who've taken the training and have one beef or another with it. A case in point: an Army vet came through our judo club a few years ago. I had a chance to ask him about the Army's program, with is very BJJ based. He'd had the usual training. But when the time came to use it in an actual hands on event in Iraq, he said he was so encumbered with gear that he couldn't do any of the techniques. So instead, he pulled out his knife and finished off his antagonist.

The guys that say its a waste never took the Marine corps or the program seriously. However I do believe that the program should be slowed down. A lot of material that has to be learned in a short period of time.

I joined in September 01 (left 05) and was the program was still pretty new. It felt like the boot camp training, although good, it was hard to look at it any other way than a check mark. A few times my drill instructors would pair me up with someone for their own amusement and make me lie and say I was hurt the next day so I wouldn't be in the drill competition (there were 2 drill competitions in boot camp). Kinda wish the drill instructors were not present during the training so we were able to be able to enjoy it more (would also help to get more out of it) The training I had after boot camp was better, able to get a better grip on what we were doing. It also depended on who was doing the training and for what as some guy who happened to get a green instructor belt being told to train wasn't as good as class taught by someone who wanted to be there to people that also wanted to be there (or at least into the training or having fun with it). When I got my grey belt it was during a deployment in Kuwait and very mechanical. Looking back I could have taken it more seriously but the trainer (who was my staff sgt whom we just met) never bothered to get to know us or how we worked. When I tested for my belt was the first time he found out about some skin stuff I was dealing with being out in `30degree weather. when he yelled at the NCOs that knew and didn't say anything noting he would have given me more breaks and probably should have done some things different considering the sun and heat. Over all I'm glad I learned and would gladly take a refresher course. Bootcamp was taugh over-all and those trainers were great, it was really one of the best parts of boot camp, although with classes on so many things all the time, it is tough being focused on anything. When training after bootcamp and in "the fleet", it was treated (or felt) more like check marks and trainers often not wanting to be there just trying to get through the day without putting much effort in.

One of the other big differences is the time factor. 4 weeks at 40 hours per week in military hand to hand is over a year of standard "dojo" time. Also, the high emphasis on "sparring", a.k.a. stress training is huge. (My son-in-law was a hand to hand instructor for the comparable program in the Army, and my nephew did the Marine system.)

I learned Line and it was quick response and all combos ended in a kill shot. It would work used effectively so practice is very important. Went thru MCMAP it works, straight forward. Lots of body hardening no one shows in any videos like Okinawan ti. Every thing is muscle memory and every technique can be used in full combat gear.