Combatives...

The Army's new name for hand-to-hand combat - Combatives. I was skeptical at first, but we really did learn some useful stuff. They're not trying to turn us into Ninjas, just teach people how to keep themselves alive and gain control using dominant body positions and basic techniques.



We all hung out in this large pit full of chopped up tire pieces. At last, a solution for the excess used tire problem - everyone should have a combatives pit in their back yard!








Below is SGT Joe Ryan from the Davenport Detachment of our company. Joe is an aircraft airframe repairman (Army Aviation's version of the Body Shop) and always keeps a good attitude.

It was a typical 99 degree day in Oklahoma. We're all getting used to the heat, but there were some pretty red noggins and noses after this morning of no shade.....

The instructors were very good - lots of experience. They showed us a few submission moves as well - Careful, I now know how to choke you out, so you better be good....

When asked how long you should maintain a choke out on an enemy combatant, the correct answer is: "Until the flies start to gather."