Photo By Mark Scott | Students of the Guam National Guard's Modern Army Combatives Program learn grappling,...... read more read more
DEDEDO, Guam (June 22, 2021) – A once-quiet classroom on the Guam National Guard’s Fort Juan Muna compound now resembles a well-disciplined and friendly bar fight, with Soldiers taking turns practicing
chokes, joint locks, and strikes.
Controlling the chaos is Sgt. Kenji Okiyama of the 203rd Regional Training Institute. A certified level-two Modern Army Combatives Program instructor, coach, and former Guam fight team member, Okiyama
takes time between rounds to describe the program and its contribution to Soldier readiness.
Q: What is MACP and why is it important to the Army?
A: The Modern Army Combatives Program is a military martial arts system taught to Soldiers in the U.S. Army. This close combat program focuses on submissions, grappling, arm and leg strikes, weapons
training and more. The U.S. Army also sponsors Combatives Championship fights. Combatives is important to the Army because it encourages Soldiers to step out of their comfort zone to learn skills
that are not only practical in combat situations, but also can be applied in our everyday lives. Yes, the program focuses on hand to hand combat, but there is a lot more to it than that. It's about building
confidence in our Soldiers for not if, but when the situation arises to engage in hand to hand combat. It can also be used as a learning tool to help build present and future leaders through resilience and grit.
Q: What is your personal background with MACP? How did you get started and certified?
A: I was first introduced to the combatives program through the adjutant general’s TAG Cup competition. Since I was already training in various disciplines outside of uniform, my leaders at the time thought it would be a good idea for me to compete in the tournament. So I threw my name in the hat and the rest is history. Fortunately, I was selected to be a member of the Guam MACP off island fight team. As I got certified in Level 1 then Level 2, I eventually started coaching alongside my teammate, Staff Sgt. Scotty Eclavea among many others. We were both certified locally through the previous combatives program, spearheaded by Master Sgt. (Ret.) Allen Blend.
Q: How does MACP benefit the individual Soldier and team?
A: From a physical standpoint, the benefits are endless. There are always new ways to learn and train to build a stronger mind and body. It will introduce you to a type of cardio you didn’t know you had, and it
wakes up muscles your body never used before. Aside from the physical attributes, combatives will equip the soldier with not only knowledge and experience, but it also puts everybody on an equal
playing field. We learn from each other and practice instructing material to different types of learners, in turn creating better leaders and most importantly creating better people in general.
Q: I haven’t seen this type of training in a while. Why is it starting back up again?
A: The program may have taken a brief intermission for a while due to most of the active members being deployed or other life obligations, but the training never officially stopped. We would get together
from time to time as a team at various different gyms or academies in order to stay ready in case a competition came up, or a next level course was to come knocking at our doors. Fast forward to now,
Master Sgt. Brian Cruz recently took charge of the RTI school house. As an advocate for combatives himself, he saw that there was still valid interest in the program and decided to get the program rolling
again. With the help from Staff Sgt. Ronnel Lansang and Staff Sgt. Joshua Delgado, we recently completed a Level 1 course under the new curriculum, graduating eight students.
Q: I want to try this. Who do I ask and how can I join?
A: Contact your chain of command. RTI will notify the units that a course is coming up with slot availability, and the units will disseminate to the Soldiers. Leaders will then submit the names of those
who are interested in taking the course. Soldiers can also inquire through their leadership about Combatives Physical Readiness Training sessions that are being held on a weekly basis.
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2021 00:32 |
| Story ID: | 400162 |
| Location: | GU |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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