Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) is a military martial arts that teaches Marines unarmed combat techniques, grappling, joint locks, escapes, bayonet drills and more.

There are five belt levels in the Marine Corps. In order, they are tan, grey, green, brown and black. To earn the title United States Marine, every recruit is required to qualify for his or her initial tan belt by demonstrating proficiency in the following fighting techniques; bayonet techniques, upper and lower body strikes, basic chokes and throws, defensive counters and responsible use of force.

WikiMilitary Martial Arts Books

Tan Belt Techniques – Information from Public Domain Document, MCRP 3-02B, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP)

  • Section I: Fundamentals of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
    1. Fundamentals
    2. Targets
    3. Angles of Movement
  • Section II: Punches
    1. Punching Fundamentals
    2. Punching Fundamentals (cont)
    3. Lead Hand Punch
    4. Rear Hand Punch
    5. Uppercut Punch
    6. Hook Punch
    7. Punching Training Partner
  • Section III: Break-Falls
    1. Front Roll
    2. Back Break Fall
    3. Side Break Fall
    4. Forward Shoulder Roll
  • Section IV: Bayonet Techniques (i.e. Straight Thrust, Horizontal Buttstroke, etc.)
  • Section V: Upper Body Strikes
    1. Upper Body Strikes
    2. Hammer Fist
    3. Eye Strike
    4. Vertical Elbow Strike
    5. Forward Horizontal Elbow Strike
    6. Upper Body Strikes Training Partner
  • Section VI: Lower Body Strikes
    1. Vertical Knee Strike
    2. Front Kick
    3. Round Kick
    4. Vertical Stomp
    5. Lower Body Strike Training
  • Section VII: Introduction to Chokes
    1. Introduction to Chokes
    2. Rear Choke
    3. Figure Four Choke
  • Section VIII: Throws
    1. Introduction to Throws
    2. Leg Sweep
  • Section IX: Counters to Strikes
    1. Counters to Strikes
    2. Counter to a Rear Hand Punch
    3. Counter to a Rear Leg Kick
  • Section X: Counters to Chokes and Holds
    1. Counter to a Standing Rear Choke
    2. Counter to a Rear Headlock
    3. Counter to a Rear Bear Hug
  • Section XI: Unarmed Manipulation (i.e. Compliance Techniques)
    1. Basic Wristlock Takedown
    2. Reverse Wristlock Takedown
    3. Armbar Takedown
  • Section XII: Armed Manipulations (i.e. Rifle and Shotgun Retention Techniques)
  • Section XIII: Knife Fighting

Gray Belt Techniques

  • Section I: Bayonet
  • Section II: Upper Body Strikes (i.e. Chin Jab/Palm Heel Strike, Knife Hand Strikes, Elbow Strikes, etc.)
  • Section III: Lower Body Strikes (i.e. Horizontal Knee Strike, Axe Stomp, etc)
  • Section IV: Front Choke
  • Section V: Hip Throw
  • Section VI: Counters to Strikes (i.e. Counter to the Lead Hand Punch)
  • Section VII: Counters to Chokes and Holds (i.e. Counter to the Front Headlock)
  • Section VIII: Unarmed Manipulation (i.e. Wristlock Come-Along)
  • Section IX: Armed Manipulation (i.e. Aggressor Grabs With Both Hands)
  • Section X: Knife Techniques (i.e. Forward Slash)
  • Section XI: Weapons of Opportunity
  • Section XII: Ground Fighting (i.e. Counter to Mount Position)

Green Belt Techniques

  • Section I: Bayonet Techniques
  • Section II: Side Choke
  • Section III: Shoulder Throw
  • Section IV: Counters to Strikes (i.e. Counter to Round Kick)
  • Section V. Lower Body Strikes
  • Section VI: Unarmed Manipulations (i.e. Enhanced Pain Compliance)
  • Section VII: Knife Techniques (i.e. Counter to a Forward Strike With Follow-on Techniques)
  • Section VIII: Weapons of Opportunity (i.e. Block for a Vertical Strike With Follow-on Strikes)
  • Section IX: Ground Fighting (i.e. Armbar From Mount Position)

Brown Belt Techniques

  • Section I: Bayonet Techniques (i.e. One-on-Two Engagement)
  • Section II: Ground Fighting (i.e. Basic Leg Lock)
  • Section III: Ground Chokes (i.e. Rear Ground Choke)
  • Section IV: Major Outside Reap Throw
  • Section V: Unarmed Versus Handheld
  • Section VI: Firearm Retention
  • Section VII: Firearm Disarmament (i.e. Counter to Pistol to Front)
  • Section VIII: Knife Techniques (i.e. Block for a Reverse Strike)

Black Belt Techniques

  • Section I: Bayonet Techniques
  • Section II: Sweeping Hip Throw
  • Section III: Ground Fighting (i.e. Bent Armbar From a Scarf Hold)
  • Section IV: Unarmed Manipulation: Neck-Crank Takedown
  • Section V: Chokes (i.e. Guillotine Choke)
  • Section VI: Knee Bar
  • Section VII: Counter to Pistol to the Head
  • Section VIII: Upper Body Strikes (i.e. Cupped Hand Strike)
  • Section IX: Knife Techniques (i.e. Slashing Techniques, Thrusting Techniques, etc.)
  • Section X: Improvised Weapons

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program

Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course

References

  1. Marines.com, Marine Corps Martial Arts, http://www.marines.com/becoming-a-marine/recruit-training/-/proving-grounds/slide/5#pg
  2. Marine Corps, Martial Arts Center of Excellence, https://www.tecom.usmc.mil/mace/default.aspx
  3. Information from Public Domain Document, MCRP 3-02B, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), http://www.marines.mil/News/Publications/ELECTRONICLIBRARY.aspx