Infantry: Pulling No Punches Without Pain

Archives

June 24, 2008:  A problem with learning hand-to-hand fighting techniques is that you cannot use the most effective moves in practice because people are liable to get hurt. This has long been a problem with martial arts schools, and over the years, various types of protective gear, using custom fitted foam-rubber padding, has been developed. Finally, in the 1990s, one of the martial arts training organizations went to work designing, building and testing a lightweight  plastic/foam ensemble that allowed full freedom of motion, but provided a high degree of protection. Weighing 7.5 pounds, the "High Guard" equipment eventually became popular with the military. First SOCOM, then the army and marines, adopted it. This gear was used more widely after the invasion of Iraq. That's because troops soon found that they spent a lot of time conducting raids. The rules-of-engagement emphasized keeping civilian casualties to a minimum, and it was soon discovered that martial arts were useful to quickly subdue unarmed, but hostile, Iraqis sometimes encountered. The "High Guard" gear allowed for full contact, very realistic training for troops headed for lots of raiding operations.

 

 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close