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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Every Marine is a rifleman. But when
ammunition is low and the enemy is advancing, Marines have no other
choice but to turn to alternative means. By using knives, weapons of
opportunity and their own bare hands, Marines use the Marine Corps
Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) ethos of “One mind, any weapon”.
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In 2002 Marine Corps Order 1500.54
implemented the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) into
Marine Corps training to give Marines an edge on the battlefield
when in hand-to-hand combat. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration
by Lance Cpl. Andy J. Orozco / edited by USA Patriotism!)
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“The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program is a combination
of different martial arts in the civilian sector that have
been combined into something that is not a sport but more of
a combat martial arts,” said Gunnery Sgt. Robert Baker, a
MCMAP instructor and Air Traffic Control training chief for
Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS). “It's a way
for Marines to take and learn not just how to engage in
hand-to-hand combat but, hopefully teach them how to mature
and be a more responsible Marine.”
Staff Sgt.
Christopher Pickett, a MCMAP instructor and Aircraft Rescue
and Firefighting material chief, said MCMAP is very
important on the battlefield.
“The Marine Corps Marital Arts Program
is there to keep Marines in a combat mindset because you
never know what kind of situation you are going to end up in
during combat,” said Pickett. “Not every Marine can shoot as
well as the next, so if you miss your target there is a good
chance you're going to end up face-to-face with the enemy.
So, you're going to have to revert to other means than your
rifle. You're going to have to go hand-to-hand.”
Baker explains MCMAP is not only a way to teach Marines to
fight, but a way to help Marines grow professionally.
“They say ‘knowledge is power' so the more you learn,
the more you have, and along with that comes added
responsibilities,” said Baker. “As you go through the MCMAP
belting system you learn more lethal techniques that can be
used. So, along with those, we strive to impart on the
individual Marine the importance of self-discipline and
self-control.”
Pickett said MCMAP is not only for
combative situations but something you can take with you
throughout your life.
“You could take MCMAP for
everything it gives you and instill that into your every day
life that you want to lead,” said Pickett. “You could
encompass it into your life style outside of the Marine
Corps. You may have your own beliefs, but when it comes down
to it, you're going to walk away with the values the Marine
Corps taught you through MCMAP.”
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andy Orozco
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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