Jeet Kune Do Concepts - Military & Law Enforcement

Military & Law Enforcement

Understanding that operational needs vary greatly within the Military and Law Enforcements communities is absolutely essential to the effective delivery of Defensive Tactics training. We understand that the last thing that operatives need is yet another dose of martial arts training that promises a single approach solution to a wide variety of operational problems. Our program has been designed with the most commonly encountered problems and scenarios in mind. Our top priority is to provide solutions to inherently dynamic and violent problems.

Why the martial arts approach fails:

Practical Considerations:
The martial arts are represented by a vast number of styles and systems of combat, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, beliefs and customs. Most commonly, martial arts systems have evolved in ways that best prepares them to combat themselves hence many of them are more suited to sporting applications than to unpredictable and rule-less violence.

Return on time invested:
Even the more reality-based approaches; notably:
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
require considerable experience and an ongoing commitment to training before the skills can be effectively brought to bear in the real world (and even more time if the art is less functional). Seasoned practitioners of such arts can certainly do well in limited or even no-rules contests but if we take into consideration, the time and effort spent in the attainment of those skills, we are forced to admit that this is a long term approach; as such, is of limited use to most law Enforcement and Military personnel.

Environmental Issues:
Most martial arts training is carried out in a large and spacious environment, whereas most operational environments are either tubular in nature (e.g. Aircraft, Hallway, Urban) or at least close quarters. Most martial arts training is performed in loose clothing and no added gear/kit. Again, most operational situations involve gear, weapons and added weight/packs, etc.

Most martial arts training is done in an environment where courtesy prevails; so loud and abusive language is missing, the adrenal dump that goes with that is missing and so even highly experienced martial artists with thousands of hours training under their belt may never have experienced the tempo and stress as is commonplace in operations. And most often, their techniques and strategies (particularly training strategies) reflect this.

Rapid Assault Tactics or "The R.A.T." System, made famous by Paul Vunak, can best be described as a way of bringing forth the most violence, using the most barbaric weapons, to effectively defend ones' life in the most efficient and safest manner possible. The RAT enables average men and women to quickly defend themselves against a larger aggressor bent on your destruction.

This system of brutal combat has been taught to members of the US Navy Seals, D.E.A., S.W.A.T., Army Rangers, Police, F.B.I., and other elite units whose lives are in danger in many instances.

The RAT system is about survival or self-preservation, and is ideal when a situation has escalated where your life is threatened and the only option is to use the most lethal tools to preserve your life. The central core of this program involves knowing how and when to use head butts, knees and elbows (HKE).

The curriculum is as follows:

Training the lethal tools: HKE or head butts, knees and elbows
Drilling HKE, how to tie it all together to achieve the desired result
Functionalizing HKE, training the tools in an alive manner against full resistance through the use of impact gear

It has three basic concepts:

1. Entry
2. Pressure
3. Resolution/Termination of conflict

RAT isn't really so much a fighting technique, though, as it is an understanding of the phases of the fight. Most people enter into a fight with no plan. They just fight until someone runs away, wins, or drops. That's leaving too much up to chance. If you go into a fight with a set plan (entry, pressure, termination) your chances of success goes up greatly.

The scope of the training conducted usually includes but is not limited to:

1. Training Methodologies - numerous drills designed to develop the attributes necessary to execute the techniques learned; as well as to control ones emotions when the fight-or-flight mechanism is triggered

2. Mass Attacks - life saving principles and important concepts relating to this area of assault involving multiple aggressors. Mass Attacks is an area of self-preservation that one should never hope to fall victim to. In this most dangerous attack, the options are few and the best tactical response is mobility. The violence in todays streets have changed and one of the most preferred forms of violence by street punks is to attack in numbers. It is a sure fire way to gain the upper hand when the intentions are to seriously hurt someone. Unfortunately, many traditional martial arts approach this area unrealistically and the results are predictable: you will get seriously hurt, possibly killed. At Progressive Fighting Systems UK, we give this area of Self-preservation serious attention because of the nature of these types of personal attacks. The curriculum is based on one of mobility, using the most lethal tools, improvised weapons and other means.

3. HKE or "Head butts, Knees & Elbows"- the core of the RAT; tools employed when a person is engaged in a life threatening situation and self-preservation becomes necessary

4. Ground grappling and Ground fighting - positional control, submissions and reversals; Concepts of disengaging from grappling situations to maintain control, mobility and balance. Grappling skills are taught to deal with any type of grappling that may arise in a street fighting situation. We develop skills that can be utilized in stand-up or ground grappling. The Grappling Arts contain a myriad of training drills which enhance or develop physical attributes such as speed, sensitivity, power, co-ordination, timing, endurance, footwork, evasiveness, etc. We use the art of grappling to develop skill in applying arm, foot, wrist, head, neck locks, etc. There are two ways we teach the ground game. One is strictly from a self-perfection perspective which is sportive in nature. Meaning, that students have elected to learn the various locks, submissions, positioning, reversals, etc, for pure enjoyment and conditioning. The other way is the Rapid Assault Tactics ground fighting approach. This involves a different sort of dedication, where everything taught is meant for self-preservation only. The aim here is to disengage a grappling confrontation before it proceeds further, but not before initiating all the brutality that may be necessary for ones' escape.

Training with gear is the usual norm and is the only way to fully apply and functionalize all the skills that will ensure ones' survival. Remember, if you are simulating this aspect of martial arts training; be prepared to suffer the consequences of such ill-preparedness. Train like you fight and you will no doubt fight like you train.

Some training methods and techniques, from various grappling arts, have their way into our curriculum, such as: Gracie Jujitsu, Dumog, Catch-as-Catch Can, Greco, Judo, Shoot Wrestling, etc. It is unfortunate that some martial artists believe that it is unlikely a street fight will end up going to the ground, but in the words of Paul Vunak, "Fights mutate...", and we have to be prepared to survive in that range just in case we end up there. Train realistically and increase your chances of surviving.