Martial arts for future warriors
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By Cpl Mike McSweeney

Tough love: US Marine SSgt Brantley Friend throws armed attacker Sgt Brandon Meng during a demonstration at ADFA involving USMC and ADF personnel. Photo by Cpl Mike McSweeney.

US Marine Corps Martial Arts Program: Every Marine learns Martial Arts, whether infantry or supply, male or female. Marines wear their graded belts with their fatigues – tan, grey, green, brown, and black. Marines can progress with their training throughout a full career. 150,000 Marines trained u 10,000 instructors 1300 instructor trainers u 184 techniques Training addresses physical, mental and character aspects 2-3 hours of martial arts training a week

ADF personnel had a glance at the future of Military Self Defence during a US Marine Corps (USMC) martial arts presentation in Canberra on November 29.

OC Military Unarmed Combat cell Maj Travis Faure said the ADF would develop the five-day MSD course into a complete, career-long, tiered program, similar to the USMC model.

“Out of this exchange I’m trying to understand their framework and hopefully develop our program,” Maj Faure said.

“The CA has directed that we implement MSD and that it captures the cultural aspects, character traits and physical techniques.”

He said the USMC had already developed such a program, which had been running since 1999.

The presentation highlighted that US Marine and Australian operational experience had proven MSD was not the sole domain of infantry.

Anyone could be attacked, whether they are male or female, infantry or medic, whether a sailor boarding a foreign vessel, a soldier in a truck or an airman guarding a building.

US Marines realised that everyone needed to be able to defend themselves, and USMC Martial Arts Centre of Excellence Director Lt-Col Joseph Shusko said their program was part of recruit and basic officer training, with 150,000 marines trained.

“The program is designed to be taught at least 2-3 hours per week, progressing through various levels,” Lt-Col Shusko said.

He said their program encompasses the physical aspect – the 184 techniques; the mental aspect – honing their skills as warriors; and the character aspect – producing good citizens.

He said the character aspect was based on their core values, similar to those of the Australian Army, and all three aspects had proved very effective in combat.

“In time of conflict our Marines’ character has really pulled them through on quite a few different events,” he said. “They were able to make sound decisions based on character.”

Lt-Col Shusko said because of their holistic approach to training, Marines were able to exercise self-control when socialising.

“I’ve watched Marines walk away from fights when they realise if they were to go to a fight they would hurt that person, severely, and they didn’t have to prove anything to them.”

Lt-Col Shusko said Australia and the USMC employed many similar techniques in their MSD training.

“Their methodology, motivation and the dedication of making all Marines and Australians warriors is pretty much the same,” he said.

USMC Martial Arts representatives visited Australia in September 2004, and as MSD is rolled out in the ADF, it is hoped exchanges will continue in years to come.

Maj Faure can be contacted at ASAH ALTC on 0409 878 711