MCMAP

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

MCMAP is a combat system developed by the United States Marine Corps to combine existing and new hand-to-hand and close quarters combat (CQC) techniques with morale and team-building functions and instruction in what the Marine Corps calls the "Warrior Ethos". The program, which began in 2001, trains Marines in unarmed combat, edged weapons, weapons of opportunity, and rifle and bayonet techniques. It also stresses mental and character development, including the responsible use of force, leadership, and teamwork.

This is what Nate has been doing the past few days and what he'll be doing for a few more days next week. By Tuesday he should have his tan belt (the MCMAP belt is worn with the cammies). Over the past 2 days he's been out in the sun practicing punching, striking, being knocked on the ground, fighting with a bayonet, etc... for about 10 hours a day. Needless to say, he's exhausted, bruised, a little sun burnt, and SO ready for the weekend.

The tan belt is obtained after 27.5 hours of training time and after completion of a practical application test on all of the basic techniques of the tan belt. The basic skills of the tan belt are:

• basic punches, uppercuts, and hooks
• basic upper-body strikes, including the eye gouge, hammer fists, and elbow strikes
  
• basic lower-body strikes, including kicks, knee strikes, and stomps
• bayonet techniques
• basic chokes, joint locks, and throws
• counters to strikes, chokes, and holds
• basic unarmed restraints and armed manipulations
• basic knife techniques
• basic weapons of opportunity

After the tan belt are the gray, green, brown, and black belts. These build upon the basic skills he's learning now and then at the green belt the focus shifts from defensive to offensive.

Here are some pictures from this weeks MCMAPin:

Falling Backwards

Warrior Stance

Practice Makes Perfect