MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- On a thick, black, floor mat, 22 Airmen practiced grappling techniques during the first 40-hour Air Force Combatives Instructor Course held at Moody.
The Air Force Combatives Program combines stand-up and ground techniques and can be adapted to fit mission needs. Graduates of the instructor course will be qualified to teach other Airmen the skills.
"This program was modeled after the Modern Army Combatives Program and adjusted to fit Air Force needs," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Todd Cooper, 820th Combat Operations Squadron NCO in charge of operations. "It combines grappling techniques from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with striking techniques and puts it together in an easy-to-learn format."
The program, which has also been adopted by tactical air control party members, is scheduled to become the standard Air Force combatives training.
"Combatives is using force to take down an opponent and it can be used offensively and defensively," said Staff Sgt. Dennis Seymour, 820th COS training instructor. "Because 90 percent of fights end on the ground, we teach stand up and ground techniques. This training adds another set of techniques to gain the upper hand."
The Air Force Combatives Program teaches Airmen how to finish with submissions, strikes or create room to draw a weapon.
"The purpose of this course is to enhance battlefield Airmen capabilities in close quarters combat," said Senior Airman Bradley Akers, 824th Base Defense Squadron fireteam leader and course instructor. "It's an excellent program that's constantly evolving and being improved."
For the past three years all cadets in commissioning programs have been required to attend a minimum of eight hours of the Air Force Combatives Program.
"This program has been because of the leadership qualities it builds," said Cooper who is one of two master instructors in the security forces career field. "When they're practicing on the mat, the training doesn't give them a chance to quit or think about quitting. They have to fight their way out of it."
Tech. Sgt. Josh Allen, 824th BDS squad leader, was a participant in the instructor course, which was the first one at Moody.
"These skills are just one more tool to make us more versatile in our job," he said. "Instead of using deadly force, we have another method to defend ourselves.
"The course is well taught and has great material," he added. "We get a lot of time to practice the techniques. It's more about technique than brute force. Nobody is here to prove anything, it's just about learning the skills and getting critiqued."
The mission of the Air Force is constantly changing and evolving to the needs of the mission. Airmen from all career fields are finding themselves outside the wire.
"In my opinion all Airmen should get this training," said Cooper. "Airmen downrange are no longer staying inside the wire. Now you are seeing Airmen from finance or personnel who are pulling convoy security or are out at vehicle checkpoints.
"It's a mindset changer," he added. "Many Airmen have never been in a real fist fight, so to get them involved in something like this gives them confidence and experience."
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)