The Intangible Benefits of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
Abstract
There is a fairly low probability that Marines, especially those with a non-combat arms Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), will ever engage in hand-to-hand combat. A growing belief, particularly among non-combat arms communities, asserts that MCMAP is a hazard to readiness as it puts Marines at-risk for injury with little to no return on investment. This paper examines MCMAP's contributions to the overall betterment of the Marine that may not be readily evident to the casual observer. In addition to teaching hand-to-hand fighting techniques and promoting physical fitness, martial arts training cultivates intangible attributes such as positive personality and behavioral traits while simultaneously providing the individual with tools to strengthen resiliency in preparation for meeting the high demands of the Corps. Recommendations to commanders on how best to leverage the benefits of MCMAP while mitigating risk include: commitment to ongoing training, increase emphasis on values training, increase emphasis on cooperative training, and maximize use of time through the concurrent completion of mandatory annual requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1175805
Entities
People
- Adams A. Brian
Organizations
- Marine Corps University