As a true test of fitness, should every soldier practice Martial Arts?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:42:41 -0400

Running measures cardio fitness, not necessarily warrior fitness. Push up and pull ups can give a measure of strength...sit ups....not much. However the ability to physically fight and defend self keeps confidence and fitness high. Why not a basic martial arts test of some kind (Judo, etc).
Dan
3rd Dan Grade Commissioner
De Han Soo Bak Do, Tang Soo Do

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 29 at 2014 8:57 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:57:00 -0400

I don't think it should be required, but I do think it would be a nice option.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 29 at 2014 9:12 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 09:12:19 -0400

It would be nice, but the question would then be what style? And at that point, some people are better suited for other styles, and those would be left out in the cold. I believe it would have to be one style because the Army is so set on standardization.

I agree with PO3 Shaun Taylor. It would be good option.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Oct 29 at 2014 9:12 AM

CPO Jon Campbell — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 09:12:29 -0400

I tried Akio once, but when everyone knelt down in front of a picture of the sensei, I was done. Bowing down to any man runs counter to the American way as well as my personal faith.

Response by SMSgt Raymond Hindle made Oct 29 at 2014 9:30 AM

SMSgt Raymond Hindle — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 09:30:18 -0400

I think so. I practice WMA (Western Martial Arts), real swords, unarmored and armored. It is a great stress controller, teaches timing, deadly accuracy, and control. I am proponent of bringing a gun to a knife fight, though!
Ray

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 5:33 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:33:50 -0400

I don't think so. But in full disclosure, I'm not even a fan of combatives. I respect both, but I don't wanna do either.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 7:06 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 19:06:11 -0400

I think that's wholly unnecessary.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 29 at 2014 7:22 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 19:22:26 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, I'd like to introduce you to two Marine Corps concepts 1. The combat Fitness Test described in this precisely (or on wikipedia generally) http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%206100.13%20W_CH%201.pdf

And 2. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Mandatory for all Marines, Green belts mandatory for combat arms.
http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCRP%203-02B%20PT%201.pdf

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 7:26 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 19:26:57 -0400

They already have it SGM it's called combatives, when done regularly it does everything you talked about. It is not a replacement for a good martial arts instructor.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 8:20 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 08:20:12 -0500

I don't think Soldiers should have to take a Martial Arts test to determine fitness. I do however like the idea of Soldiers practicing Martial Arts, instead of just combatives. The only issue I see is getting enough qualified and willing people to train everyone. I feel that the Army would try to just send someone to a class for a while and say that they are "qualified" to teach. Martial Arts take a long time to learn and if the Army is going to do it they would need to do it right.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Jan 11 at 2015 1:30 PM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 13:30:20 -0500

Not as a test of fitness, but as a test of endurance. Even though we do trade with the Chinese, the Chinese government and military want to see out demise. So, in understanding the Chinese battle doctrine, martial arts would be a necessity. Know your enemy

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Feb 5 at 2015 9:11 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 09:11:12 -0500

I do practice martial arts as one of my primary means of PT right here in the Raleigh area. I invite you to join me SGM Private RallyPoint Member

http://kravmagaraleigh.com/