USAF NEEDS STATEMENT
by
Maj. (Ret.) Sean P. Hoggs, EED
USAF, 353d Special Operations Group, Air Force Special Operations Command
“Black Hat,” 421st Ground Combat Readiness Instructor
The use of asymmetric violent attacks employed against US military personnel is becoming more probable (OConus and Conus). The news cycles provide coverage of these bad outcomes on a regular basis. In the Airman’s creed, we recite in our second statement that ‘we are warriors.’
While the warrior ethos encompasses much more than just physical readiness, our capability to engage on every level (including a physical attack) should be honed with training in basic Close Quarters Combat techniques. The majority of our fellow American citizens would expect that if an Airman was present during a terrorist attack, whether on or off duty, s/he would have the basic training to engage with an adversary to protect the citizens we serve – certainly a reasonable expectation of our citizens. (Let me be clear. This does not mean that we would train our airmen to go ‘Rouge’ and run imprudently to danger.)
With the risk of our military personnel and their families being targeted in our current state, it is logical that the US military provide training to our Airmen in proven and effective methods for unarmed self-defense.
Fortunately, such an instinctive and, thus, easily-learned system exists. Originating in Israel, Krav Maga has is a time-tested system for military personnel as a Close Quarters Combat system. Unlike other forms of “martial arts” that extended training-time to make useful for real-life scenarios (and which exist for competition purposes), Krav Maga’s emphasis on basic, instinctive gross motor movements when facing both pressure and resistances translates to a short-training cycle providing an effective and retainable skillset.
The goal is not to replace existing programs, but to augment those skills already in place as a force multiplier. The training could be simply incorporated into the Air Force’s existing program with no need to rename anything. Krav Maga’s emphasis on situational awareness, avoiding confrontations, and de-escalation is consistent with our goal of keeping everyone safe and avoiding any unnecessary confrontations while utilizing proportional physical force as an absolute last resort.
Many of our sister services already incorporate some form of self-defense into their training. We have an opportunity to establish an Air Force specific stand-alone combatives doctrine based on Krav Maga in providing the most premier and practical self-defense system in the Department of Defense to our Airmen.
Besides the practical and essential skillset taught to our airmen, we have an unparalleled opportunity to improve the culture of the Air Force as an even more respectable branch of the Department of Defense. We will strengthen our war-fighter capability and resolve as we forge ahead with new Air Force combatives doctrine, techniques, training and procedures, as the world’s most elite, feared, and respected Air Force.”
USAF Military Krav Maga Combatives Overview
Military Krav Maga (MIL.KM) self-defense/hand-to-hand combat instruction specialization is based on a synthesis of the Krav Maga method along with past and present U.S. military-based fighting systems.
MIL.KM recognizes that the goal of any competent military CQB system is to immediately neutralize an enemy combatant with extreme prejudice or quickly dominate him to take him under control. Optimally, this is done with a few adaptable and instinctive tactics. The end result is to deploy the operator’s weapons (hot, cold or personal), finish the job (as ROEs dictate), and survive. MIL.KM harnesses violence of action using an operator’s instincts in a specific manner. The following is a summary of MIL.KM’s training approach and goals.
Provides a customized lifestyle combatives training program emphasizing realistic, practical self-defense training solely in tactical operational environments for military personnel sustainable over time entirely based on current real-world scenarios.
Targets the three most crucial elements of combat preparation: (1) mental [attack the attacker mindset]; (2) tactical [including gaining the tactical advantage through violence of action] and (3) physical preparation
Uses a strategy and tactics-based approach; not a technique specific approach that reduces the amount of technical material the operator must implement.
Uses a common universal platform and methodology fusing all tactical applications from empty hand to hot weapon engagements achieving a seamless optimum integration.
Streamlines the learning process and augments the airman’s ability to effectively react or act under stress in the field including against multiple immediate threats during any situation.
Incorporates existing hand-to-hand combat skill sets emphasizing the non-sporting essence of hand-to-hand combat.
Training focuses on breaking an enemy combatant’s body including multiple opponent strategies. Skills also include force control methods and non-lethal procedures.
Debilitate/Control
Incapacitate
Capture or Terminate
Multiple detainee handling techniques to handle including compliant, non-compliant and combative types of prisoners. Techniques apply force control measures to escalate and deescalate applied force as needed for different scenarios including transportation both conscious and unconscious detainees off the target site. Detainee search methods are taught in a tactical and methodical manner to minimize risk to the operator and maximize search results.