‘Vanguard’ Battalion Soldiers knock out Modern Army Combatives training

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Jason Kneib, right, assistant operations officer with 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and a Rockville, Md., native, demonstrates a proper throw during Modern Army Combatives level one training, April 15, at Camp Taji, Iraq. “Vanguard” soldiers took the week-long course, which was taught by Kneib and Sgt. Roberto Revelez, also with 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. and a San Angelo, Texas, native. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan S. DeLong)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.15.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

Story by Sgt.1st Class Jonathan S. DeLong

BAGHDAD — Soldiers with 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center recently went through an in-depth version of level one modern army combatives training at Camp Taji, Iraq.

The Army developed the MAC program to address the increased need for better close-quarters fighting skills. Initially developed in 1995 by the 2nd Ranger Battalion, MAC fused together different fighting styles from around the world, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ground fighting, throws and takedowns used in judo and wrestling, and striking styles found in boxing and Muay Thai.
“During our deployment, we identified the need to enhance soldiers in close-quarters combat skills, which makes soldiers more versatile, confident, and improves the warrior ethos,” said Capt. Jason Kneib, assistant operations officer with 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regimen. and a Rockville, Md., native.

There are four different levels of combatives, with level one qualification requiring a week-long beginner course and level four an extensive one-month-long course.

During the course, Kneib, who set up and conducted the training with his assistant instructor, Sgt. Robert Revelez, a scout team leader with 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, and a San Angelo, Texas, native, taught the basics and also covered potential contingencies, such as how to fight with weapons in close quarters and how to fight in full combat gear. This is the second course the two have instructed together.

“The combatives program we have developed for this course is in line with Army doctrine, which has evolved to be applicable in current environments in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” Kneib said. “All moves taught at this course have been used in real world situations.”
“This was a great course that was challenging to me [and] gave me a great base to build on,” said Sgt. Michael Tennyson, a forward observer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, and a New Iberia, La., native. “I feel more confident of my ability to handle myself. If I was ever in a situation with an enemy combatant I feel I could more efficiently handle the situation [now].”

“I took the class to learn more and when we redeploy, I plan to progress through all levels of modern army combatives,” said Spc. Robert Taylor, a machine gunner with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, and a San Antonio native.

Taylor said the training was an opportunity to further enhance his martial arts skills and that it has helped him learn more about jiu-jitsu and karate.

“The class was awesome—every day I was learning something new and even the things I thought I knew, the instructors showed me how to do them better and make me a more capable fighter,” Taylor said.

• Date Taken: 04.15.2011
• Date Posted: 04.21.2011 06:59
• Story ID: 69085
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ