Customer Reviews

Close Combat and Hand to Hand Fighting

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I train in martial arts and our system spends a lot of time working on self-defense. I had heard that the Marine Corps recently revamped their training and that a good chunk of it was available in this book. I read it and was impressed. I was even more impressed when we started working on the techniques with a partner. It looks like the Corps has really got something here.

The empty handed techniques are very well explained and the simple illustrations work well to show the high-points and details. The knife fighting techniques look very efficient. I've tried them out, within the limits of training with a partner that you want to live. They seem to work reasonably well. The bayonet material is not necessarily something I'll be using any time soon, but it could have application, with modification and a bit of imagination, to a walking stick or cane.

I also like the philosophy contained with the book. It's straight-forward and no-nonense.

You're not going to learn to fight like a Marine from this book (they offer a pretty intensive course, just sign up). If you do train and practice self-defense then this book will offer you additional tools to work with.

An excellent resource for basic self defense techniques that can be learned quickly and are effective. This was the baseline for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Pogram that all Marines learn today. A program that has evolved into a viable and effective self defense system for both the battlefield and the streets.

For what it is intended for, LINE is a good system, but to achieve the goals and purpose of the system there were trade-offs.

In order to train large groups of healthy, fit, young adults in lethal unarmed combat in a limited time, LINE is as good as it gets. Simple, internally consistent to simplify instruction, makes use of a relatively small set of movements and techniques, and student comprehension and proficency is easily evaluated.

Sacrifices were made to achieve these objectives.

Healthy, fit, young adults (Marine recruits); not everyone makes the grade... The techniques depend to a great degree on a combination of body mass, strength, and speed, and if any one of these elements is not present, the technique will be less effective or ineffective (especially the arm break that shows up in about a third of the techniques). Average to petit women and small men are at a serious disadvantage with this system.

Lethal unarmed combat; The emphasis is on killing, and for military personnel, this is entirely appropriate, but isn't the place to start kids, and would put off many people. Most of the techniques are unarmed, which makes sense given the restrictions in the modern civilian world, but if there was more time in the framework LINE was meant for, short sticks/batons and a one meter rope or even a heavy bandana are useful tools to learn about.

Limited time; An unarmed or close combat education can take a lifetime. Physiology, physics, psychology, neurolinguistics, cultural studies, languages, history, and art all have their place in a complete study of human combative behavior, but this is background material for thousands of repetitions of the hundreds of techniques of most martial arts. Judo is relatively simple with 97 "official" techniques, and it takes a up to decade to become a proficient practitioner, much more to truly master the art. LINE can be taught in less than a week. LINE makes efficient use of 40 training hours, but lacks the depth that interests many students of combatives.

For what it is, it is very good. It represents a good balance of trade-offs in planning combatives training for military personnel. But those trade-offs limit the audience for whom the system is practical and relevant.

E. M. Van Court

I bought this FMFM because I thought it outlined the MCMAP (Marine Corp Martial Arts Program) system of fighting. This field manual does not describe MCMAP. It was first published in 1993, and describes the older LINE (Linear In-fighting Neutral-override Engagement) system. Apparently MCMAP is so new, there are no books for the civilian market yet.

Somewhat disappointed.

This book describes MCMAP techniques , most of them are similar in executions and movements.Just the pictures and drawings are not that accurate .

Well, I just got through reviewing the entire field manual and I have to say that I have seen better. The LINE program has good concepts, but some of the techniques in this manual, as someone else pointed out, would probably get you killed. So here is my comment on each section in the manual.

Fundamentals of Close Combat

Very good - a good overview of kicking, punching, stances, etc.

Line I - Wristlocks and Counters Against Chokes and Headlocks

Line II - Counters Against Punches and Kicks

Both good - I have seen most of these techniques at some time and most are good. They may not be my first choice, but if they are practiced correctly, they should work ok.

Line III - Unarmed Defense Against a Knife

*Wow*, all I have to say is you better be dang good. There is one technique, defense for an inside slash, out the five they show that is one I would use. The others will probably get your neck or spine cut. I certainly hope they teach our Marines something better at boot camp.

Line IV - Knife Fighting

Good - basic knife fighting, could be used by anyone.

Line V - Removal of Enemy Personnel

I am not qualified to discuss this one.

Bayonet Fighting and Line VI(counters)

I am not qualified to discuss this one, but it seems to be straight forward and not bad.

Weapons of Opportunity

Good - makes sense to use what you have handy.

Anyway, I rated this book at 3 stars because there are a few things that are useful in it. The big dissappontment was the the knife defense section. In my opinion, except the one, the other knife defenses are questionable, don't use them.

I practice moves with my buddies to help keep in shape and for fun when we've been drinking. Oh the juvenile pissing contests we have... Anyway, book came in new condition and I recommend it.