Misawa combatives instill warrior culture

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Seventeen Airmen stand bruised, scraped and exhausted, with sweat dripping from their bodies. They have just received a huge confidence boost with the help of a course offered by one of Misawa's own.

Staff Sgt. Christian Coleman, 35th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of Mental Health, started a program he calls "Misawa Combatives" to get Airmen here in a warrior mindset.

"I think it's important for the Air Force to have programs like this to remind Airmen that we are in the military and are part of a bigger fight," said Coleman. "I feel like this is something that instills warrior ethos."

Misawa Combatives is based off of the Modern Army Combatives Program, which trains its members in close quarters combatives in order to prepare them to defeat their enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

Misawa Combatives is broken down into two levels and recently the participants moved into Level 2.

In Level 1, Coleman teaches the basics of the MACP, which consists of 23 different maneuvers, submissions, sweeps, escapes and clinches, with a few extra maneuvers and submissions added on. For Level 2, Coleman teaches 52 more maneuvers from the Army's MACP syllabus along with basic apprehensions.

"During Level 2, everything is more technical and there is more groundwork," said Coleman. "It teaches you the 'why' you were doing what you did in Level 1."

Coleman, who is a Level 2 in the MACP, has to deviate from the MACP because he doesn't have the Level 3 training required to teach Level 2.

Both levels together take more than 20 sessions to complete. Level 1 takes eight sessions, and the more technical Level 2 requires 15 sessions for completion.

With the work it takes and all of the technical movements required, it may be confusing for some. But one combatives participant says Coleman's methods make it possible for everyone to "grasp" what is being taught.

"Coleman is a hands-on instructor," said Senior Airman Scott Cross, 35th Dental Squadron dental technician. "If you are confused or don't understand, he doesn't have a problem working with you until you get it. He's very patient."

Tech Sgt. Alex Ruiz, 35th Maintenance Squadron, said "the course has been a great experience and Coleman's humble methods of working with students make everyone comfortable to perform each move on their own."

"His passion for teaching is second to none, and he does a great job showing how to defuse a confrontation," Ruiz added.

A big reason Coleman started the course, aside from the huge confidence boost the course gives participants, was the missing sensation of being a warrior Airman.

"We recite the Airman's creed and the second line is 'I am a warrior,'" said Coleman. "But with spending so much time in the office it's sometimes hard to feel like a warrior. This is a program that makes you feel like you are part of a warrior culture."

Coleman's goal to instill a warrior culture is passed on to more than just his students.

"I think it is a lifestyle thing," said Coleman. "I bring one of my kids to every class. I think you should have it where your kids are confident in protecting their loved ones."

Throughout Misawa Combatives, a recurring theme of confidence is presented, beginning with the instructor and is passed on to his students.

For Cross, who was certified in Level 1 by Coleman and has been a student of his since he opened the course three years ago, says it's easy to see the impact confidence has on the participants.

"You will see a lot of people come in here who are small and soft-spoken," said Cross. "Once they build up that confidence you start to see them shine and walk a little taller; it's nice to see."

"To have an inner feeling of strength and confidence is why I think military combatives are so important," said Coleman. "To be able to take on anything that is thrown at you is something that will change you for the better."