Below are suggestions for Military Police Unarmed Self Defense (USD) trainers who wish to implement an MP USD program in their unit. 

 

Unit Training USD Plan:

 

Many MP USD instructors make the mistake of training Soldiers in their particular martial art or specialty.  Soldiers should be trained in basic techniques, not complicated moves that took the instructor years to learn.  Below is a suggested initial USD training program for a Military Police unit. It is based on ten hours of available training time, divided into five periods of two hours each. Training should start with ground grappling, which is not only easier both to teach and to learn, but also provides a sound base for the more difficult standing techniques. A program should not begin with techniques that will take a long time to master. The result would be almost uniform disillusionment with USD in general.

 

             a. Period 1 (2 hours).

       • Introduction to USD/safety briefing.

       • USD demonstration performed by trainers to motivate Soldiers.

       • Warm-ups and stretches.

       • Stand in Base Drill (MACP).

       • Escape the Mount by Trap and Roll (MACP).

       • Pass the Guard (MACP).

       • Achieve the Mount (MACP).

       • Escape the Mount by Shrimp to Guard (MACP).

       • MP escort positions (MP SKL 1).

 

             b. Period 2 (2 hours).

       • Warm-ups and stretches/safety briefing.

       • Escape the Rear Mount (MACP).

       • Grappling for position, (five minutes and then change partners).

       • Military Police Straight Baton (MP SKL 1).

       • Weapon retention techniques (MP USD).

       • Weapon disarms (MP USD).

       • Rolls and break falls (MP USD).

      

             c. Period 3 (2 hours).

       • Warm-ups and stretches/safety briefing.

       • Introduction to choking (MACP).

       • Rear Naked Choke (MACP).

       • Cross Collar Choke from the Mount and Guard (MACP).

       • Front Guillotine Choke (MACP).

       • Standing escapes from arm and body grabs (MP USD).

       • Defense against strikes (MP USD).

 

             d. Period 4 (2 hours).

       • Warm-ups and stretches/safety briefing.

       • Bent Arm Bar from the Mount and Cross Mount (MACP).

       • Straight Arm Bar from the Mount (MACP).

       • Straight Arm Bar from the guard (MACP).

       • Arm Bar Takedown (MP SKL 1).

       • Grappling for position, (five minutes and then change partners).

 

             e. Period 5 (2 hours).

       • Warm-ups and stretches/safety briefing.

       • Application of hand irons (standing and prone) (MP SKL 1).

       • Review of all MACP techniques.

       • Review of all MP techniques.

       • Situational training and scenarios.

 

Command emphasis and refresher training are the keys to a successful USD program. USD training refreshment sessions should be regular, and should be included on unit training schedules at company and platoon level.  Training can be scheduled as Sergeant’s Time or Physical Fitness training to fit into unit training schedules with high OPTEMPO.  Successful unit USD programs continue to focus on the core techniques and avoid complicated moves. Mastery of these simple moves will result in more proficient fighters than an exposure to a large number of complicated techniques will.  As the level of proficiency rises the natural progression of moves is as follows:

 

• Advanced ground grappling.

• Advanced takedowns.

• Advanced standing defenses.

• Employing head butts, elbow strikes and kicks.

• Advanced situational training.

 

Remember to keep is simple and safe.  Use only techniques that are easy to remember and actually work.  Repetition is the key to learning techniques.  Focus on the basics and refresh on those. 

 

USD Implementation Tips