G.A.R.D.® for Pilots & Air Marshals
(Gracie Air Rage Defense)
(FFDOs and non-FFDOs)

OVERVIEW

"I have no doubt that this course [G.A.R.D.®], like his [Rorion Gracie] other specialized courses, will set the standard for training of its kind. I cannot imagine a more qualified individual to tackle this increasingly frightening reality faced by airlines personnel on a daily basis." - Adam K., Chief Instructor, Close Quarters Countermeasures HQs, Federal Air Marshal Division August 18th, 2004

Are You Prepared?

INTRODUCTION

Long before 9/11 the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy has been training Federal Air Marshals.

After 9/11 and before the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (which federalized Airline Pilots, authorizing them to carry weapons-FFDOs), the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy developed a program specifically to meet the needs of Pilots named G.A.R.D.® for Pilots. Because of an overwhelming demand, the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy has established a flexible and regularly scheduled G.A.R.D.® program at the academy in Torrance, CA, USA. Training is conducted the first four Fridays of every month.

Through the years, we have had many success stories and letters of praise from Air Marshals, Law Enforcement officials and Military personnel around the world on our G.R.A.P.L.E.® (Gracie Resisting Attack Procedures for Law Enforcement) program and from that program, the G.A.R.D.® program was born.

The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy has two different G.A.R.D.® programs, one for Pilots (FFDOs and non-FFDOS) and another for Flight Attendants (developed before 9/11).

A nationwide survey conducted by the FBI on Police fatalities shows that 23% of Police Officers are killed by their own weapons. Pilots (and Air Marshals), carrying a weapon within the confines of an aircraft, are much more at risk of having their weapons taken away from them and used against them and passengers. To better prepare Pilots against this incomprehensible possibility is one of the objectives of the G.A.R.D.® program.

OVERVIEW

• Before 9/11 "There are an estimated 4,000 incidents of air rage each year." (Patricia Friend, Association of Flight Attendants International President)
• A survey conducted by London's Guildhall University found "More than a third of airlines have no formal training to prevent and manage air rage, and only two in 10 companies could specify how their policy on dealing with passenger violence was outlined to customers." (airwise.com, 01/28/01)
• Before 9/11 there was a great deal of talk about establishing tougher measures to punish those individuals who disrupt the safety of flights through unruly behavior, but it should be the first priority to train flight personnel to deal with the problem on the spot because the consequences of not having this ability could result in tragic consequences.
• "It only takes one incident to create an air disaster. The airlines, the FAA and the Department of Justice have failed to act. And that puts the safety of every single person who boards an airplane at risk." (Patricia Friend, Association of Flight Attendants International President)
• "Certainly they were fighting and uncontrollable, and clearly the calming techniques which we teach our cabin crews didn't work." (David Parsons, Airtours International, February 1, 1999)

AN OPEN CHALLENGE - from the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy To Pilots (and Flight Attendants)
When it comes to changing the mind-set of our leaders (Government and Corporate) and convincing them of the importance of effective Self-Defense training, and having them take action and produce tangible results, the answer is not to wait on them.

The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy challenges all Pilots and Flight Attendants (commercial, cargo/transport & private) to be paradigm shifters. More specifically, we challenge you to take matters into your own hands and take Self-Defense training on your own and not wait on others.