21st Century U.S. Army Combatives Field Manual

The preface to this U.S. Army manual (FM 3-25.150) states: "This field manual contains information and guidance pertaining to rifle-bayonet fighting and hand-to-hand combat. The hand-to-hand combat portion of this manual is divided into basic and advanced training. This manual serves as a guide for instructors, trainers, and soldiers in the art of instinctive rifle-bayonet fighting." According to the manual: "Hand-to-hand combat is an engagement between two or more persons in an empty-handed struggle or with hand-held weapons such as knives, sticks, or projectile weapons that cannot be fired. Proficiency in hand-to-hand combat is one of the fundamental building blocks for training the modern soldier. Soldiers must be prepared to use different levels of force in an environment where conflict may change from low intensity to high intensity over a matter of hours. Many military operations, such as peacekeeping missions or noncombatant evacuation, may restrict the use of deadly weapons. Hand-to-hand combatives training will save lives when an unexpected confrontation occurs. More importantly, combatives training helps to instill courage and self-confidence. With competence comes the understanding of controlled aggression and the ability to remain focused while under duress. Training in combatives includes hard and arduous physical training that is, at the same time, mentally demanding and carries over to other military pursuits. The overall effect of combatives training is the culmination of a successful physical fitness program, enhancing individual and unit strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiorespiratory fitness, and building personal courage, self confidence, self-discipline, and esprit de corps."

As such, this manual provides a unique, heavily illustrated training manual for a number of hand-to-hand combat techniques. Chapter Three deals with basic ground-fighting techniques. "Basic ground-fighting techniques build a fundamental understanding of dominant body position, which should be the focus of most combatives training before moving on to the more difficult standing techniques. Ground fighting is also where technique can most easily be used to overcome size and strength. Before any killing or disabling technique can be applied, the soldier must first gain and maintain dominant body position. The leverage gained from dominant body position allows the fighter to defeat a stronger opponent. An appreciation for dominant position is fundamental to becoming a proficient fighter because it ties together what would otherwise be a long confusing list of unrelated techniques. If a finishing technique is attempted from dominant position and fails, the fighter can simply try again. If, on the other hand, a finishing technique is attempted from other than dominant position and fails, it will usually mean defeat."

Attacks include the collar choke, single wing choke, straight arm bar, arm lock, guillotine choke, scissors sweep, Captain Kirk, ankle grab/knee push, triangle choke, knee mount, leg attacks, straight ankle lock, and figure-four ankle lock. Striking, called an integral part of all actual fighting, includes pass the guard with strikes, striking from side control, defending against strikes, and more. Takedowns and throws are covered in detail.

Later chapters cover handheld weapons using the bayonet or knife, which "may be the ideal weapon to dispatch the enemy." Field-expedient weapons are discussed, including the entrenching tool, three-foot sticks, and six-foot pole. Standing defense techniques against unarmed and armed opponents are reviewed. Restrictive force scenarios include two against one, three against two, one against two, and two against three.