An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marauders learn self-defense skills

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
It can never hurt to have the knowledge to defend yourself from an attacker in a life or death situation to survive.

Saturday afternoon 18 Marauders who attended a self-defense class at The Rock learned a few valuable lessons to help keep them safe in case of an attack.

The two-hour class was taught by Master Sgt. Patrick Smith, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Check Six superintendent with the assistance of Staff Sgt. Cameron Cochran, 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron assistant flight chief who deployed from Edwards Air Force Base, California.

In the beginning, Smith explained that if you have an option to run away then do so. But, in the event that isn't possible, a victim needs to know a few basic techniques. A variety of those defensive techniques were taught to show participants how to get out of harm's way beginning with a fighting stance.

"A good fighting stance gives the physiological effect of looking like you know how to fight," said Smith who deployed from 56th SFS Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. "Assuming the fighting stance can help you avoid a fight altogether."

Smith explained that your attacker realizes that you know how to fight when you do this. Knee strikes is another technique Smith and Cochran taught. According to them, this technique can cause an individual enough damage to quickly let go.

"It's a move that can put distance between the attacker and victim, possibly allowing for escape," said Smith a Rochester, New York native. "Another move is the arm trap that allows escape when trapped below someone."

Smith has taught self-defense tactics since 2008 and also teaches combatives. He feels nobody deserves to be a victim of assault or sexual assault; however, in the world we live in the reality is anyone could find themselves in a bad situation, he said.

"I attended the class because I wanted to learn more about self-defense," said Staff Sgt. Myosha Robinson, 386th AEW finance office customer service representative. "There are many stories in the news today about women being the victims of heinous crimes and I wanted to learn some skills on how to defend myself in a time of crisis."

Robinson, who deployed from the 315th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, said the class was very helpful and the instructors were very knowledgeable about the different technique and skills that were taught.

Those in attendance learned that the techniques provided are based on leverage and the element of surprise, not strength; so even the smallest person is able to do it.

"I am very confident in knowing that I can defend myself in a time of crisis. The moves that I did not know how to do, I feel proficient enough to perform them," said Robinson, a Florence, South Carolina native. "It was definitely taught in a way that I could understand it. I am a visual learner and the instructors performed a skill then told us to try it out. That is the best way to learn."

Another student, Tech. Sgt. Melissa Wooley, attended class for the same reason as Robinson and also felt that the class was helpful.

"It provided insight on how an attacker can approach you and how to handle each situation," said Wooley, 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron personnel specialist who also deployed from JB Charleston, S.C. "I encourage everyone to attend a self-defense class because the moves I thought I would do if I ever encountered an attacker were totally wrong and could have caused me harm."

Smith and Cochran had individuals practice the techniques and corrected them as necessary. Smith credits Maj. Lillian Talavera who deployed from Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas with the vision to organize the class.

"The class was a huge success. We had a full house and regretfully, we were not able to accommodate every single person that wanted to sign up, so we hope to hold additional classes in the future," said Talavera, 386th AEW comptroller and a San Antonio, Texas native. "Attendees were incredibly engaged and it was so rewarding to watch them transform from hesitance to confident."

Talavera has attended a number of self-defense classes in the past and they always left her feeling "energized and empowered."

"I wanted the attendees to leave with the same sense of confidence and empowerment," Talavera said. "The techniques shown in this class can be applied in a real-world situation, regardless of gender or stature. I believe that by organizing this self-defense class that every attendee left with a toolset that will allow them to be better prepared to handle the uncertainties of tomorrow."

"Confident and empowered" is how Wooley, a Far Rockaway, New York native felt about the class when it ended.

"This class was taught in a way for me to fully understand it," Wooley said. "I feel if someone approaches me I will not feel scared or fearful. I will get in my fighting stance and be ready for the attacker's first move."

Both Smith and Talavera agreed that the main idea behind self-defense is situational awareness and the objective is to avoid a dangerous situation by being alert and presenting an image of confidence and assertiveness that would dissuade most would-be assailants.

Attendees learned that conflict may be unavoidable, but they are now armed with techniques to improve their odds of surviving a confrontation.

In their class Smith and Cochran provided little tips and tricks to help a person avoid, escape from, or survive a bad situation. They also touched on how mentally strong an individual needs to be. You must have the "I am going to survive, or I am going to fight back" mentality, they said.

Before class ended, they stressed to attendees the importance of continued practice to remain proficient. If you don't train your body and mind you will lose the skillset.