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Ft. Pickett, VA. (Jan 24, 2022): With all our “modern” high tech weapons, it is easy to lose sight of the most time-honored and essential military skill, close quarter hand-to-hand combat.
It is a sad fact that most Americans cannot defend themselves against a physical attack. This is not a criticism, training in the martial arts takes incredible commitment, physical endurance, persistence, and a strong determination to win.
America’s military recognizes this and has incorporated a mix of marital arts philosophies into its Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) taught at Ft. Pickens, Virginia’s National Guard Maneuver Training Center to members of all service branches. . The course motto, “One Mind, Any Weapon” exemplifies the mental, moral, and physical toughness required of today’s warriors. The MCMAP teaches a mix of Asian martial arts techniques and philosophies including Okinawan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Judo along with bayonet and knife-fighting skills.
Students endure physical hardships that instill discipline, attention to detail and the persistence needed to survive the rigors of combat. The MCMAPs School boosts a warrior’s confidence and leadership skills by forcing students to overcome obstacles they never dreamed possible.
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Boston, MA (May 20, 2022): In the War of 1812, America found itself once again at war with Great Britain, despite having won independence just 22 years earlier. At issue was Royal Navy interference with U.S. shipping routes to Europe as part of their war with France. British ships seized 400 U.S. merchant vessels and pressed into involuntary service over 9,000 American sailors.
To counter these outrages, America dispatched the U.S.S. Constitution, one of only 16 American warships, to confront the 500 plus ship Royal Navy. Although greatly outnumbered, the Constitution was undefeated in battle credited with destroying or capturing 33 opponents during her four voyages. She earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” when an American sailor, seeing enemy canon fire bouncing off her hull, exclaimed; “Huzza! Her sides are made of iron.”
Read more: “OLD IRONSIDES” A FLOATING MUSEUM OF NAVAL HISTORY
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Baltic Sea (May 20, 2022): When the Marines want to arrive in style, their most popular choice is the Navy’s Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) capable of roaring ashore onto 70 percent of the world’s coastlines.
Watching this modern marvel streak toward shore on a cushion of air reminds us of the veritable “Higgins” Boat landing craft of World War II fame. Named after Andrew Higgins, a feisty Irishman and small boat builder from New Orleans who had a famous taste for whiskey and a hair-trigger temper, Higgins was so certain of his design that he bought up the entire 1939 crop of mahogany from the Philippines in anticipation of winning the Navy contract.
In a 1964 interview, President, and former General Dwight D. Eisenhour credited Higgins as “the man who won the war for us” and that, without his invention, “we could never have landed over an open beach. The whole strategy of the war would have been different.”
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May 2022- When energy powder doesn't cut it because you’re not where you can dependably mix it with anything you’d want to, gummies are Brilliant! SupportOurTroops.Org was privileged to provide $145,342 of sought-after pre-workout and recovery nutrition and energy gummies to deploying units. America is a beautiful country full of great and generous people and companies. And this stuff is worth its weight in gold when you’re OCONUS. Thank you AXO Nutrition!
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Okinawa, Japan. (April 11, 2022): A Marine commander is ready to commit forces to a combat action, say a helicopter insertion of troops in a foreign land, and needs someone to “paint a picture” of potential enemy activity. Send in Marine Force Recon, they go a lot of places other folks can’t.
The mission of this elite Marine unit is to conduct amphibious reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines, observing an adversary’s position and relaying this intelligence in real time to commanders back at headquarters. Marine Force Recon is best at sneaking up on an opponent, often close enough to hear them chatter, without ever being seen. They arrive by parachutes, helicopters, or emerge from the water to be the eyes and ears of Marine Expeditionary Force Commanders and fight as highly specialized infantry when needed.
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Donnelly Training Area, Alaska. (March 11, 2022): We all hate our daily commute, the noise, slow moving traffic, and the endless wait for the light to change. Not so for Army Specialist Josh Wyant. In this photo by John Pennell, Wyant is on patrol preparing for the annual Cold Weather Readiness Exercise held at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska.
Located on 624 acres 100 miles south of Fairbanks, the Donnelly Training Area hosts annual cold weather exercises to test combat efficiency of units in freezing conditions and at high altitude. For two weeks each year, over 10,000 infantry and artillery soldiers drill as part of a joint Pacific/Multi-national war games that test a soldier’s ability to perform under hostile conditions.