479th Field Artillery Bde. certifies its Reservists in combatives
By Sgt. 1st Class Marcelo Acevedo, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West Public Affairs
Jan 20, 2012 - 3:55:26 PM
Blackanthem Military News
 |
| Staff Sgt. Shane Lees, bottom, a Modern Army Combatives Program Level 4 instructor with the 479th Field Artillery Brigade, demonstrates the straight arm bar from the guard position during a combatives certification class held for a 479th Army Reserve unit in Houston Jan. 8. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Marcelo Acevedo, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West Public Affairs) |
HOUSTON, Texas – Modern Army Combatives Program instructors traveled here from Fort Hood, Texas, earlier this month to train Army Reserve Soldiers in the instructors’ sister unit during a four-day Battle Assembly.
The instructors with the 479th Field Artillery Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment conducted Basic Combatives Course Level I certification for Soldiers in the 479th’s 1st Battalion, 289th Regiment.
“The MACP we teach is focused on Reserve and National Guard units that don’t get this type of training on a regular basis,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Brown, 479th Field Artillery Brigade command sergeant major. “It is good training for our instructors to stay current and gives the opportunity to reach out to our fellow Soldiers across the brigade to support our mission.”
To train the Soldiers efficiently, instructors developed a systematic approach to both fighting and training by focusing on three main phases: Close the Distance, Gain Dominant Position, and Finish the Fight.
The Basic Combatives Course Level I certification consists of 40 hours of MACP training, including a written final exam, react-to-contact drill, and a combative physical technique evaluation. Six instructors – ranging in certification from Level 4 to Level 2 – were on hand to conduct training, meeting the Army’s required instructor-to-student ratio of one-to-10.
“After receiving the Level I certification, the Soldiers will be used to assist 1-393rd IN Regt. at the North Fort Hood mobilization platform in training mobilizing Army Reserve and Army National Guard units,” said 1st Class Sgt. Julie Skoda, the MACP noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
 |
| Staff Sgt. Aaron Riley, right, a Modern Army Combatives Program instructor with the 479th Field Artillery Brigade, explains proper foot placement for the scissor sweep during Level I combatives certification of Army Reserve Troop Program Unit Soldiers with the 479th’s 1st Battalion, 289th Regiment in Houston Jan. 8. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Marcelo Acevedo, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West Public Affairs) |
|
 |
| Staff Sgt. Jackelyn Walker, standing, a mobilized Army National Guard Modern Army Combatives Program instructor attached to the 479th Field Artillery Brigade, assists Army Reserve Soldiers in the scissor sweep during Level I combatives certification in Houston Jan. 8. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Marcelo Acevedo, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, Division West Public Affairs) |
|
|
|