Marines enter service with a baseline level of physical fitness, but the martial arts they learn transform that fitness into combat effectiveness. The martial arts do marines learn are not a hobby; they are a critical component of operational readiness designed to prepare them for the violent, unpredictable nature of close-quarters conflict. This training system is built on a foundation of discipline, muscle memory, and the efficient application of force, ensuring a Marine can protect themselves and their squad when firearms are not an option.
The Core Discipline: Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP)
The foundation of every Marine’s combative skills is the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, or MCMAP. This is not a single martial art but a comprehensive system that blends techniques from several disciplines into a unified approach. MCMAP is graded through a system of belts, similar to other martial arts, ranging from the basic tan belt to the advanced black belt, signifying a Marine’s increasing proficiency in both the physical and warrior ethos components of the program. The curriculum is designed to be scalable, ensuring that a rifleman on the rifleman belt can effectively subdue a threat, while a sergeant might be tested on the leadership principles embedded within the higher ranks.
Influences from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo
Looking at the specific martial arts do marines learn, two disciplines stand out for their contribution to the ground game: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Judo. BJJ provides the essential framework for controlling an opponent on the ground, focusing on leverage, joint locks, and chokes that allow a smaller individual to overcome a larger adversary. Marines learn to transition from a dominant mount position to securing the opponent, emphasizing control without unnecessary injury. Judo, on the other hand, is the art of the throw; it teaches Marines how to off-balance and physically manipulate an opponent, using their momentum against them to execute takedowns that are crucial for moving a fight to the ground where MCMAP’s grappling systems take over.
The Striking Arts: Boxing and Muay Thai
While grappling is vital, a Marine must also be proficient in stand-up striking, and for this, the program incorporates principles from Boxing and Muay Thai. Boxing provides the essential fundamentals of footwork, head movement, and punching technique, teaching Marines how to generate power through proper body mechanics and defend against strikes using bobbing, weaving, and blocks. Muay Thai, known as the "art of eight limbs," introduces the use of knees, elbows, and clinch fighting. This knowledge is invaluable in the chaos of a street fight or urban environment, where an enemy might close the distance too quickly for standard boxing defense, making the elbows and knees learned in the Muay Thai component a deadly and efficient tool.
Beyond the Physical: The Warrior Ethos
Perhaps the most critical element of what martial arts marines learn is not a physical technique but a mental one. The MCMAP is deeply intertwined with the Warrior Ethos, a set of beliefs instilled in every Marine. Training sessions consistently emphasize the philosophy of combat, teaching Marines to understand the psychological aspects of conflict. They learn to manage fear, control aggression, and understand the legal and moral implications of using force. This mental conditioning ensures that the physical techniques are only one part of the equation; the Marine’s mind is trained to remain calm, decisive, and resolute under pressure.
Application in Modern Combat and Security
The relevance of these martial arts is not confined to historical battlefields; it is directly applicable to modern threats. In asymmetric warfare, Marines often operate in environments where they are required to detain individuals, secure buildings, or protect dignitaries in crowded spaces. MCMAP training prepares them for these scenarios by teaching rapid takedowns, escort holds, and the ability to subdue multiple attackers. The skills translate directly to protecting fellow service members, securing prisoners, and surviving in situations where the use of a firearm is inappropriate or impossible. It is a practical, real-world skill set built for the complexities of 21st-century conflict.
