Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Throughout training, recruits are taught the fundementals of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The basics include chokes, counters, stance, knife techniques, punches and kicks. Due to the high number of training hours needed to teach the recuits the mechanics of each move, the training is spread out througout 13 weeks.
As part of this training, Recruits of Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, focused on learning punches during a MCMAP lesson at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, April 22.
During the class recruits practiced their fighting stance as well as their lead, rear, uppercut and hook punch.
While some recruits come into training already knowing how to throw a punch, Recruit Uneek D. Ramsey, Platoon 1029, said there are still things you can learn such as utilizing a blanced stance and keeping your muscles relaxed.
“I’ve learned to be loose on the draw of the punch and to clinch my hand before impact,” said Ramsey. “Keeping your hands relaxed helps you save energy. It’s the little things that matter most and that’s what we’re learning here.”
For some recruits, learning to throw a punch was a little more difficult.
“It takes a lot of hard work” said Recruit John E. Martinez, Platoon 1029. “Especially because I’ve never done anything like this. But I’m excited about learning this, it’s fun.”
Each punch was done at least ten times and recruits’ punching stances were evaluated and corrected by drill instructors. The repetitions were not dreaded by the recruits, but rather understood.
“You never know what type of situation you will be in,” said Ramsey, a Chicago, native. “Life is dangerous and you never know what could happen. That is why we need to know this. We can be put in a combat situation at any time.”
The class concluded with open group discussion on what the recruits learned. From the tone and numerous questions, it appeared the recruits not only enjoyed the lesson but also learned valuable techniques that could potentially save lives in a combat scenario.
“I feel like I have a lot more power and accuracy in my punches now,” said the 21-year-old Ramsey. “But, we’re not just learning how to beat someone up. We’re learning how to possibly restrain and resolve a situation. This is something everyones should know. We’re learning a way to restrain someone instead of killing them.”
Over the reaminder of recruit training, these recruits will receive additional MCMAP classes covering other techniques such as leg kicks, chokes and take downs. On training day 50, the recruits will be evaluated on their punches and all MCMAP techniques taught in training. When recruits show mastery of each move, they earn the MCMAP tan belt, which is the first of five belts in MCMAP.