Current Military Training

F

Fraser

Joined
Mar 18, 2000
Messages
570
During the Viet Nam War the USAF ran a 3 day survival course outside of Clark AFB, PI. The course was targeted at air crews on their way to VN and was intended to give them a brief introduction to surviving in the wilds in case they were shot down. Typically, USAF pilots, Forward Air Controllers and Army helicopter crews were allowed to attend. If one were stuck over at Clark for a few days and was an EM and couldn't get off base, well, it was something to do. The USAF hired Filipino instructors and part of the 3 days included self defense training with a survival knife. One of the instructors was well respected, having learned his trade as a young man fighting against the Japanese. I gather he had over 50 kills. Anyway, does the US military have any training of this nature these days?
 
Not like it used to. Sensitivity training about gays and political correctness have surpassed actual combat skills on the priorities list of most officers. There are a myraid of systems in use by the various services today, but none are taught wholesale to the entire service. Most of the boot camps (I'm a Navy guy, so most of my experience is with the corps and the Navy) have some sort of Hand to Hand training but it isn't anywhere near as good as it can be. The Army had a great program during the 1980's (Special Forces Combatives) that was pretty hard core and extremely effective. It was an official part of Special Forces and Ranger training, but I don't know if it is still taught anymore. The Marine Corps ditched the L.I.N.E. system about eight years ago and the new system they are developing should be incredible. From what I can tell, a lot of it is being based on Hock Hockheim's material. If you want to read more about this general topic, check out my web page at www.sds-sfc.homepage.com

The page is far from finished, but I haven't had time to add pictures or write any more articles.

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SFC

"Is it easier to fight them or to kill them?"
 
Sure they do. Its called SERE training for "survival, evasion, resistance, and escape." I haven't been thru it yet, but from what I hear its pretty grueling training. But I haven't heard anyone say that it included any instruction in hand-to-hand or knife combatives. It seems to be mostly about mental toughness and how to survive on your own in the woods.

Keith

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"Walk softly and carry a big stick!"
Teddy Roosevelt
 
Myers, ask Les Robertson. I believe he went through it as well as quite a few other trainings. He should be able to give you an indepth view of what it entailed.
 
Like Myers said they have SERE. In the AF flight crews and special tactics get to take it. Don't think anyone else takes it. I know I haven't.

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J.E.S.T. is still alive in Subic! I think, there is currently a one day course, a 3-day course and a one-week course being offered and taught by the same people who were teaching it before. The 1-day course is mostly geared for the tourist. I'm planning to attend JEST this year.

 
JFR,

A J.E.S.T. course is offered as part of an annual Pekiti-tirsia training camp in the PI's, offered by Grand Tuhon Gaje. Participants are taught how to build shelters and animal snares with only a bolo, what types of tree bark to chew and rub on the skin to ward off mosquitos, etc.

That is all I know about it, and it's 2nd hand info. I have no idea if it's the same filipino instructors teaching it, or how closely it resembles the military version you refered to.

It would make sense to me that the filipino instructors, who had been put out of work when the U.S. Military discontinued the J.E.S.T. program, would try to set up a commercial version in order to maintain their livelyhood.

Respectfully,

Dave Fulton



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Full Contact Martial Arts Association.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."


 
jrf - It was a mixed bag, mainly USAF but some Army types like myself who were just passing thru Clark. I remember one airman who was a radar operator. It seems he was a member of a team that was supposed to be set down in the middle of no-where, on top of a mountain, guiding the B52's to their targets. I also remember the Filipino instructors were blazing fast with a knife, scared the H*ll out of me. As an E3 waiting for transport at Clark, you either played poker, got assigned s*it details, or went out in the jungle and played. Had an opportunity so I took it.
 
jrf: Hi! Well, when I was stationed in Subic Bay Brig from 1988-1992, the JEST was taught primarily by the native Aetas. When the base was closed on the later part of 1992, the base was converted into an special economic zone, headed by Richard Gordon, and the Aetas were out of supplemental livelihood, so the JEST was started again to cater to the tourist both domestic and foreign national. The whole Subic Naval Base is now called Subic Bay Metropolitan Area where various foreign and local companies avail of duty-free environment like ACER,FEDEX, BICC, etc. If ever you visit the Philippines, drop by Subic and see for yourself, how the former base looks. My family is moving back there this year. Yeh, I miss the good, old days of Subic and Olongapo City. Those were fun times.Here is the website of the SBMA- http://www.sbma.com
See you there...

 
Finally found my way back here after a hard drive crash. Anyway, I was on my way to La-La Land. Didn't get a chance to use the PI training in actual combat or E&E. As a surveyor I used to help build roads and bridges. Used a machete more to clear brush, etc. Floppy hat, sunglasses, cut offs, machete and sandals. What a sight!
 
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