I think that there is one thing all of the "experts" posting here do not realize...........
To use an example, a police department/academy has the same problem, although to a much smaller scale. The task? Take a group of people who may or may not have ever fired a firearm in their lives, and somehow get them proficient enough within the small time available in the academy to not only carry their sidearm with confidence, but also proficient enough to use it to save their lives, or the lives of others.
Likewise, the defensive tactics that are taught are of the same variety--simple, easy to learn techniques that will allow the individual officer a fighting chance when they get into a hands-on situation.
The US Armed Forces, in teaching hand to hand combat, has the same problem, in spades. They have even LESS time allotted to teach than many police academies. This is balanced by the fact that police departments teach to SUBDUE, using the minimum force necessary; the Armed Forces teaches how to incapacitate or kill, going balls to the wall as needed.
Now, for those bashing MCMAP, there are a few things that you don't seem to understand. This was also stated, however in a different way, by SGTC, above.
First, unless you have experienced it or are REALLY close to someone who has, there are few things in life that are as terrifying as rolling around on the ground with someone who really, REALLY wants to HURT you. Badly. To the point of death.
How many of you folks out there have experienced the feeling of utter fear and helplessness that occurs in the first moments of an all-out attack? It literally can rob the strength from your body; this is what puts a person at extreme risk. If you do NOT overcome this terror within a second or two, your chances of surviving the attack are slim and none. I don't care what black belt you hold, or how many years of dojo experience you have.
When you experience your first real world attack, you WILL turn into a jellyfish, even if it is only for a second. You can put it in the bank, sportsfans.
Thus, the Armed Forces has a double barrier to overcome. First, the gentility that is bred into us as civilians must be eliminated. You must lose all hesitance about hurting another human being. Second, you must be taught to inflict grave bodily injury QUICKLY, with maximum effect, while under great physical strain from other sources, such as field gear, individual weapon, etc.
The ONLY branch of Service that does that well is the US Marine Corps. This sounds funny coming from a career Army NCO. But, here are the facts:
The other branches will take you and fit you in somewhere, if you have the desire to enlist.
To get into the Corps, YOU have to prove that you are worthy of training. The USMC has an entry level standard of fitness higher than any other branch of service. No exaggeration here, folks!
You must be physically able to pass the Advanced PFT in the Army BEFORE you even enlist in the Marine Corps! And believe me, waivers are few and far between.
When you go through boot, guess what? Take the normal boot camp curriculum, add parachuting, and what do you have? The US Army Ranger school. And these are everyday Marines, folks! Both men AND women. Unlike any other branch, you get absolutely NO slack for being a female.
MCMAP is an ongoing process. You learn the basics in boot camp. You continue through training, and at your duty assignment. 5 hours of PT per week? Believe me, most units in the Corps exceed that without even trying. And a LOT of it is down in the mud, face in the dirt ground fighting.
I say this without exaggeration: I was responsible for teaching soldiers how to stay alive. I trained lots of soldiers. I was very good at what I did.
I saw my son turn down $25,000 cash in bonuses from the Army to enlist in the Marine Corps.
The US Marine Corps turned a gentle 18 year old high school grad who weighed 220 lbs at entry into 170 pounds of rock hard combat steel.
I am a police officer. I have had my share of physical differences with some pukes I have encountered on patrol. As an Army NCO, I was taught how to fight and survive. As a kid, I grew up on the south side of Chicago, and fought on a regular basis. As I mentioned before, I am 6'2" and weigh right at 300 lbs. I bench 200 lb for reps, and push 500 lb on the leg press.
I have been told that I would be REALLY good at football.
My son dealt with my attack like yesterday's garbage. And, like I said before, I was NOT gentle with him, either.
So, I'm here to tell you--MCMAP works. No, it ain't glamourous. It isn't flashy. And, you don't train in a dojo, either.
But it will save your life, and bring you home to your family. And in the end, that's what counts.
