MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Barefoot toes graze the red and blue mats lining the floor. A man dressed in white deliberately ties a purple belt around his waist. After a brief contemplation of how to defeat his enemy, he gracefully puts his opponent into a submission hold. Taking a deep breath, his voice echoes through the spacious room as he begins to instruct his fellow Marines.
2nd Lt. Carlos A. Dubon, a supply officer with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 and a Miami native, has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for five years and instructing the technique to a variety of ages for the past three years.
Dubon currently assists as an instructor for the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Submission and Grappling Club that meets every weekday in building 2525 between 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The club is open to any Marine or sailor interested in learning martial arts.
Marine Corps physical training has evolved from green-on-green PT gear to more hand-to-hand combat training, explained Dubon. Because of this, being involved in martial arts is a great advantage to Marines looking to enhance their physical fitness.
“Anyone can come, you don’t need experience,” said Dubon. “You can come in shorts and a T-shirt. It’s a very friendly environment.”
The club serves to introduce Marines to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, sparring, boxing, Muay-Thai and mixed-martial arts through grappling.
Dubon explained that studying Jiu-Jitsu enhances his ability to use techniques as an instructor with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
“[Grappling] definitely gives you an advantage in MCMAP,” said Lance Cpl. Charles M. Strampfer, an avionics technician with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 and San Diego native.
Strampfer, who has been studying Jiu-Jitsu for four years, explained that many of the techniques found in the tan and grey belt courses in MCMAP deal with the art of ground fighting and grappling.
Since the club operates as an introduction and supplement to training, each member is free to incorporate their own style and ability.
“What’s so dynamic about our club is that the majority of us train out in town,” said Dubon. “Everybody has something to add. We get input from the students. If I go out in town, they’ve developed their style, their way of doing Jiu-Jitsu, but here everything kind of combines into a melting pot, and it just makes it so [much] more dynamic than just training at one gym.”
There is no cost associated with the class, just a little bit of sweat, Dubon explained with a grin before turning back to his class, ready to take on his next challenger.
For more information contact Todd Howard at 858-577-1202.
Date Taken: | 04.16.2012 |
Date Posted: | 04.19.2012 12:44 |
Story ID: | 86972 |
Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CALIFORNIA, US |
Hometown: | MIAMI, FLORIDA, US |
Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 556 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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