MCMAP

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was developed to enhance or bring into the twenty-first century its hand-to-hand combat systems. This program began in 2001 much to my chagrin for I wish it had been available in my time as a Marine. In the seventies Marines took it upon themselves to build on the hand-to-hand combat of Marines.

"Commandant James L. Jones assigned Lieutenant Colonel George Bristol and Master Gunnery Sergeant Cardo Urso, with almost 70 years of martial arts experience between them, to establish the MCMAP curriculum to be taught at the Martial Arts Center of Excellence (MACE)."

MCO 1500.54A 16 Dec 02, para 5,3(a): Physical skills – Fighting techniques including: battle skill orientation; stance; posture; movement; weapons handling and function; striking; cutting; grappling; restraints and manipulations; and integration of weapons. The training principles of Sustainment and Integration are employed in the application of the physical skills.







I don't expect anyone who is not military to be able to express whether this actually fits into a combat oriented hand-to-hand system. My first impression is they like to go to the ground but since I am not well versed in ground work for combat systems I am not sure this is applicable to combat. My belief is no one should be going to ground. I do believe that making your enemy hit the ground so you can do your thing from a standing position good but then again I am not qualified to say one way or another, just commenting and observing in general.

Anyone here able to go further?

I guess because I have a nephew who may end up in combat I would like to be comfortable that what they are taught as to MCMAP is not just something incorporated because it is popular and on television and in movies. Sometimes mistakes are made because perception of such things as the Ultimate Fighting Arts that is more sport oriented with safety restrictions may put our guys in harms way in lieu of effective "combat" versions.

Again, I am not active in today's Corps and don't really know and if any combat vets who did tours in Irag, etc. and actually applied MCMAP providing their opinions would be really great.

One thing for sure tho, if you go to the civilian streets and use it I suspect your going to be in a bit of trouble with the authorities. Yes?