570th Global Mobility Readiness Squadron Instructors Certified in Gracie Combatives
OVERVIEW:
A Captain in the 2nd Ranger Battalion says it best about our Gracie Combatives program, "Our (goal) was simple: find
a form of combative fighting that could complement weekly Ranger Combative training in the 2nd Ranger Battalion;
a style that could be systematically taught to a 600-man Ranger Battalion; a style that would prepare them for
actual hand-to-hand combat. The bottom line: find a style that clearly enhances the individual Ranger's ability
to quickly destroy his opponent one-on-one in combat, while maximizing his own chances for survival. It was an
hour into training at the Gracie Academy when we realized that we had found our source. This was the real thing."
A former Navy Seal Master Chief states: "I feel that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a superior fighting system. Their locking,
choking, and grappling techniques are well suited for close-quarter combat and that's perfect for Team guys..."
For Military Police and Law Enforcement: In most cases, Police Officers have always relied heavily on what is
known as the "compliance factor" during an arrest. They count on the tried and true psychology concepts such
as "respect for authority" and "control through intimidation" to accomplish their objective. While this approach
may prove adequate in a large majority of arrest situations, it is not always successful when dealing with out
of control individuals who could be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, emotionally agitated or challenged
by language barriers. Once an officer realizes their suspect has no intention or is incapable of willing
compliance, their only option is to attempt to subdue the individual by force. Faced with an uncertain outcome,
the officer's level of frustration or anxiety can lead to a potentially life-threatening situation. In some cases,
the officer has no choice but to pull out a baton and start swinging or use even more lethal means.
Indirect benefits: Gracie CombativesTM program is suited for noncombat trained military personnel as well.
Whatever their job, military personnel will benefit by gaining increased awareness and confidence in everything
that they do.
SCENARIO-CLOSE-QUARTERS COMBAT:
Phrases being used today and in the past for Urban Warfare is MOUT- (Military Operations on Urban Terrarin) or "Three-Block Warfare" but it is all the same.
"In one moment in time, our service members will be feeding and clothing displaced refugees - providing
humanitarian assistance. In the next moment, they will be holding two warring tribes apart - conducting
peacekeeping operations. Finally, they will be fighting a highly lethal mid-intensity battle. All on the
same day, all within three city blocks. It will be what we call the Three Block War." General Charles C. Krulak - 31st Commandant - United States Marine Corps
"There's really no way to fight in cities. It's just nuts to go in." Highly decorated retired Army Col. David Hackworth, who first tasted urban warfare
in December 1950 on the streets of Seoul, South Korea.
With an official war on terrorism and as days go by, more and more of our Military find themselves in Urban
Warfare scenarios. This type of warfare is by far one of the most difficult. A superior force with air power
and superior technology - are less effective in close-quarters combat. Urban warfare robs attackers of fire
support. When the distance between an attacker and the enemy is measured in feet, it's impossible for air
strikes to be precise, so the battle becomes a struggle between riflemen. Riflemen in Urban Warfare situations
will be fighting in streets, stairwells, hallways and rooms. And, it is all but certain that Hand-to-Hand
Combat will be experienced and the Gracie CombativesTM program addresses
this realistic scenario.
Complicating matters further in an Urban Warfare environment is the fact that civilians can be anywhere in
the battlefield and Riflemen and Military Police may be in a similar predicament as domestic Police Officers,
where restraint will be needed to avoid potential human rights charges. The Gracie CombativesTM
program addresses this realistic scenario as well.
The Gracie CombativesTM program is suitable for a Three-Block Warfare environment. No longer are the
days when an Infantryman will just call in indirect fire support. He may find himself in cities where he may
have to use lethal force and the next moment restraint. Just like Police Officers in civilian settings, Infantrymen
may need to protect themselves and at the same time not use overwhelming force (when it is not needed) because
if they do, they stand to be judged by the media and courts and we don't want U.S. forces and its Allies to be
viewed as using excessive force. Excessive force charges have plagued Police Departments throughout America and
the result has been lower Police Department morale and a tarnished reputation. This is because the majority of
Officers lack proper Self-Defense training. We don't want our military forces to experience the same situation.
This undermines our goals as a great and caring people. Again, the Gracie CombativesTM techniques address this situation.
The applications of Gracie CombativesTM techniques are both humane and lethal, depending on the circumstances.
Those that have taken Gracie CombativesTM program know how effective
the training is and the teaching methodology of Rorion Gracie. It is our hope that this message gets across to
Top Brass in every branch of armed service.
The ultimate issue of life or death may often depend upon the outcome of Hand-to-Hand combat. According to many
Top Brass, U.S. forces are woefully unprepared for the deadly world of Hand-to-Hand combat. These skills must be
developed in order for our forces to be able to operate with confidence and efficiency on the future urban
battlefields. These skills must be both effective and easy to learn.
Most training academies offer Self-Defense instruction based on newly conceived and ineffective grappling
techniques or some form of a traditional martial art. However, most of these systems rely on punches, kicks
or strikes to be effective. Unfortunately, it is not realistic to expect a positive result when an individual
chooses to trade punches with a combative suspect who may outweigh them by 40 or 50 pounds. Furthermore, what
happens when that fight goes to the ground as more than likely it will? Punches and kicks are virtually useless
at this close range, and the risk of having a suspect gain control of a person's weapon increases dramatically
on the ground. (A nationwide survey conducted by the FBI on police fatalities shows that 23% are killed by their
own weapons.)
Our leaders expect our military to have the best training, tools and equipment to accomplish its mission. Our
military units deserve the best training, at all times, in every area. The best Self-Defense tool is the Gracie
CombativesTM.
BACKGROUND:
The Gracie family has been involved in martial arts for nearly 80 years. They are recognized worldwide for
their expertise in the field of Self -Defense, especially following their unmatched success in the Ultimate
Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts event created by Rorion Gracie. Rorion has gained widespread
acclaim for his specialized Self-Defense programs, including RAPESAFE®, a cutting edge program that provides
virtually any woman, regardless of age, size or physical ability, with the capability to escape a sexual
assault and G.A.R.D.® (Gracie Air Rage Defense), launched before 9/11, is designed to empower flight attendants
to control and subdue unruly passengers.
THE GRACIE COMBATIVESTM SOLUTION:
Several years ago, members of the law enforcement community approached Rorion Gracie and asked him to develop a
program that would give police officers the ability to control violent suspects, ensure the safety of the officer
and be court defensible. The result was the Gracie CombativesTM program.
Since its inception, the program has been taught to members of the FBI, Secret Service, Navy Seals, Army Rangers,
Special Forces, CIA, and many other federal, state and local law enforcement professionals, as well as some elite
international organizations such as the Israel Security Agency and the British Police Special Operations Group.
In fact, the US Army has rewritten their combatives manual to include the Gracie CombativesTM
techniques they learned from Rorion Gracie.
Rorion Gracie is confident that after seeing the effectiveness of the techniques the Gracie CombativesTM offers, Military
commanders will want to make Gracie CombativesTM a mandatory component of their basic
training. The Gracie CombativesTM program's
objective is to make this quality and realistic lifesaving training techniques available to as many Military
personnel as possible.
Unlike other Self-Defense training programs, Rorion Gracie's Self-Defense programs are not mass-produced because
in order to maintain quality, he can't and he won't.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
What is the objective of Gracie CombativesTM?
The program was developed with the input of dozens of Military and Law Enforcement officials and instructors from
a variety of backgrounds to address their specific concerns about personnel's non-preparedness to handle a violent
suspect at close range, especially when the fight goes to the ground.
Who can take the Gracie CombativesTM program?
Any active or reserve military personnel are eligible to participate in the Gracie CombativesTM course.
Proof of current military status is required.
Upon completion of the Gracie CombativesTM course, each participant is certified by Rorion Gracie to teach the
program's techniques to fellow military personnel within their units. This certification is valid for 6 months.
A two-day re-certification course is required every 6 months to maintain the instructor certification status.
What makes the techniques taught in the Gracie CombativesTM
court-defensible for Military Law Enforcement personnel?
Since the moves are based on leverage and technique, rather than strikes and kicks, the physical damage to the
suspect is drastically reduced. Lawsuits and charges of police brutality that are major concerns of department
chiefs nationwide, also go down significantly as a result of using the Gracie CombativesTM approach. A direct result
is an increase in officer morale, as well as an improved public image for the department. A current
Gracie CombativesTM certification is necessary in case a department needs Rorion
Gracie to appear as an expert witness in the event of a lawsuit. Furthermore, participation in the recertification
course maintains an individual's skills at the level that best ensures their safety and that of others.
What makes the techniques taught in the Gracie CombativesTM potentially court-defensible for Military personnel in an
international setting?
It is difficult to compare civilian Law Enforcement situations to Military operations where civilians could be
casualties. It is even more difficult to compare civil courts to international courts such as the newly
developed ICC (International Criminal Court) that is meant to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes
against humanity. In all these scenarios, there always is a concern for restraint when dealing with
non-combatants (civilians).
The Gracie CombativesTM program is based on leverage and technique, rather than strikes and kicks and the physical damage
to civilians, in an Urban Warfare setting may drastically be reduced, as well as potential charges of Military
brutality in an international setting.
For National Security reasons, additional information requires our personal attention. Please contact Program Director Spiro Demetriadi by sending an E-mail to the Gracie CombativesTM Department or please call (888) 494-5345 and press ext. 81.
Due to a high volume of inquiries, it may take a week or more to receive a reply.
