U.S. Marines Close-quarter Combat Manual [Paperback]

U.S. Marine Corps (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996

The LINE (linear in-fighting neural-override engagement) is the most efficient and complete system of military close combat ever developed. This official USMC instruction manual provides comprehensive instruction in all aspects of this deadly system, including unarmed combat methods, knife and bayonet fighting and use of improvised weapons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873648897
• ISBN-13: 978-0873648899
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Martial Arts
  • #84 in Books > History > Military Science

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be titled "How to kill someone FAST", December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: U.S. Marines Close-quarter Combat Manual (Paperback)

When I joined the Marines, I was taught the LINE system. the hard way, I had more than a few bruises from being kicked, punched etc. This manual offers instruction in LINE (Linear Infighting Neural Override) training and is NOT a martial art system, which is valuable in a studio, fighting other martial artists. It is NOT a "self-defense" book. ie; "repel an attack, so I can get away to get help"... This book teaches you how to KILL. It tells you how to counter punches, kicks, chokes, headlocks, knife attacks, bayonet attacks.. It also covers how to fight with a knife, bayonet, how to remove a sentry (in various situations), how to fight multiple opponents, how to fight on the ground, and tactical weapons of opportunity....in each scenario, the opponent is KILLED FAST. It is very simple to learn, and can be learned safely with a partner (although I recommend finding someone who knows what they're doing to help you) FOR USE IN LIFE-OR-DEATH situations only. OORAH Semper fi (Note: LINE training has been discontinued by the USMC because it is "Too violent and brutal"... If it's too harsh for the Marines, You KNOW it's rough) The Close-combat system currently in use by the Marines is "Kill or get killed" by Col. Rex Applegate. also known as "BLOCK" training.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A word to those who consider this System., January 27, 2000

By 

Michael (the United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: U.S. Marines Close-quarter Combat Manual (Paperback)

I use to give instruction in this System when I was in the Service. As you have read the LINE System was discontinued for use by basic Marine positions and taught to the SpecOps communities to add to their encyclopedia of combat due to its "swift and violent" action. It should be kept in mind that this System was created and kept "basic" as some might say, to keep it simple but effective. It was designed for soldiers who normally do not have the luxury of time on their side, and therefore must react with a rapid and deadly response. To make it anymore advanced and detailed than it is would create too much wasted time in a soldier's reaction time toward an aggressor. Also keep in mind that this System was created for soldier's who are in full battle rattle (all gear worn) where fancy moves and flying kicks are not practical. I will not say this System is great or cool or any other jazz like that, but I will say it is effective in the right hands.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This system has a specific purpose. To kill the enemy., November 30, 2001

By 

Scott Lindsay (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: U.S. Marines Close-quarter Combat Manual (Paperback)

Reading over the other reviews, I thought I would try and clear the air about what this book and the system it explains is all about. For credentials, I have dabbled in several different fighting arts, and I spent 4 years in the Marine Corps infantry when they were still teaching this system.

First, please understand that this is NOT a self-defense system. The Marine Corps does not teach you how to survive a mugging. They do not teach you how to beat up the local bully. They teach you how to kill your opponent.

The Marine Corps does not have the time or the instructors to teach a complex fighting system to every Marine. So this system is very simple. It is based on a few maneuvers, which are adapted around different situations that soldiers are likely to encounter. It is assumed that your opponent will most likely be wearing a flak jacket, so blows to the abdomen are not dwelled upon. Strikes to the throat and groin, eye gouging and the breaking of limbs are the standard techniques. There are no wasted movements, and all moves finish with some form of killing blow, usually a kick to the head of a prone opponent.

The whole premise of LINE training is to condition your muscles to react in a certain way in given situations. That is why the moves are all so similar. This simplifies the muscle memorization to make it easier to teach this system to many people in as short a time as possible. It is a very basic, yet effective system.

LINE training's simplicity is its strongest asset. This system was never intended to create world class fighters. It was intended to be effective in difficult surroundings when the user is tired, cold, and hungry. It was designed to provide Marines with the means to destroy the enemies they might encounter on the battlefield, as quickly and efficiently as possible.

If you have already trained in the martial arts or some other fighting system, then this is may not the book for you. It's simplicity and lack of practical alternatives to killing may not be what you are looking for. However, there are some useful sections about sentry elimination, knife fighting, and weapons of opportunity that you might not get in a standard martial arts class.

And lastly, it is my understanding that the Marine Corps abandoned this system because it was too effective. Unfortunately, you cannot force Marines to only use what they have been taught when they are on the battlefield. Too many bar fights and other scuffles amongst Marines themselves or against civilians resulted in severe injuries to the combatants. And because there is a relatively small chance that our soldiers will run out of bullets, it was felt that a less brutal system could be found.

I highly recommend this system and this book. It does what it is designed to do very well.