Soldiers Take Advantage of The United States Army Combatives School

By Capt. Lisa Brown, 3-338th Infantry Regiment Unit Public Affairs

Amid shouts of encouragement, two Soldiers grapple for dominance, willing the other to submit in an honor bout competition recently held during the first Basic Combatives Instructors Course (Level III) certification at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind.

Taking advantage of the United States Army Combatives School mobile training team, the 157th Infantry Brigade provided the venue to train and certify more than 20 Soldiers from CAJMTC, as well as Soldiers from as far away as West Virginia.

Army Soldiers from CAJMTC practice kick boxing in Basic Combatives Instructors Course.
Army Soldiers from CAJMTC practice kick boxing in Basic Combatives Instructors Course.

Staff Sgt. James Hanson, chief training instructor of USACS, led the instruction along with 1st Lt. Blain Gellert and Sgt. 1st Class Justin Harris, both trainer/mentors and level IV rated combatives instructors of the 157th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division East.

Upon completion of the four week level III course, graduates may teach levels I and II and certify instructors for level I.

Staff Sgt. James Hanson, chief training instructor in Combatives School passes information to the class.
Staff Sgt. James Hanson, chief training instructor in Combatives School passes information to the class.

“Week one consists of boxing and boxing defenses. Week two consists of kickboxing and kickboxing defenses. Week three consists of kickboxing and takedowns with takedown defenses, and the fourth week is dedicated to tactics where combatives instructors will cater unit training to mission specific scenarios,” explained Hanson.

“Level I and II training is less principle-based training and more technique-based training, whereas in level III and IV training we start having the Soldiers think more outside the box for tactical scenarios,” continued Hanson.

Staff Sgt. James Hanson, chief Combatives school training instructor trains soldiers in close combat.
Staff Sgt. James Hanson, chief Combatives school training instructor trains soldiers in close combat.
Sgt. 1st Class Josiah Elzy, trainer / mentor of the Combatives School trains a soldier in combat gear.
Sgt. 1st Class Josiah Elzy, trainer / mentor of the Combatives School trains a soldier in combat gear.

By Capt. Lisa Brown, 3-338th Infantry Regiment Unit Public Affairs

Military Friends of NewsBlaze originated these stories, sending them directly to us from Iraq, some from Afghanistan and some in the USA.