Should I Learn Krav Maga or....

[FutureLAPDBLUE]

Ok so this fall I will be entering college to study Criminal Justice so that I can eventually become a Police Officer. I also whole-heartedly want to learn an effective form of self-defense/fighting technique that I will be able to use to help protect myself on the streets. I really like what I've heard and seen from Krav Maga so far but I was wondering if I should learn Krav or something like Jujitsu or Muay Thai?

[Don]

1. Cross-posting is usually considered bad form.
2. I recommend you pick something else to study in college - give yourself more options for a Plan B in case LE doesn't work out.
3. Sounds like you have some time before you're going to apply. IMO you really can't go wrong with KM but I would also recommend you cross-train in other arts/styles as well. If you are intending to use something in LE, you might also want to check the force/DT policies for particular agencies/departments. Some may be very picky on what techniques/styles are permitted for you to use.

[FutureLAPDBLUE]

Well LE is something i'm very passionate about so it is definently what i'm going to stick with but my biggest issue has been trying to find a good Krav gym around me or even my college

[jacgue36]

As far as I'm concerned, KM is the way to go! Good Luck.

[Rhino]

The general feeling is that Krav Maga is a good option amongst Police across the world from what I have read.

[oglenewinkel]

hello Future

I think what Don was trying to say about keeping your options open was a suggestion on reconsidering your degree path not your career choice. I would have to offer you the same advice. Public Administration, Political Science Psychology or Sociology degree with a minor in Criminal Justice would serve you so much better later in life. I have 13 years in and I would give the same advice to my son.

As far as a fighting style Krav is great and is regarded as having the best gun and knife defense around.

Train hard and be safe my friend.

[oglenewinkel]

hello Future

I think what Don was trying to say about keeping your options open was a suggestion on reconsidering your degree path not your career choice. I would have to offer you the same advice. Public Administration, Political Science Psychology or Sociology degree with a minor in Criminal Justice would serve you so much better later in life. I have 13 years in and I would give the same advice to my son.

As far as a fighting style Krav is great and is regarded as having the best gun and knife defense around. Check the following sites and see what you can find.
http://www.kravmaga.com
http://www.kravmagaalliance.com
http://krav-maga.com/


If you can't find any KM programs and you need to train I would suggest
http://www.cincinnatikajukenbo.com/index.html

Hard style Kajukenbo is a serious self defense program that will not fail.


Train hard and be safe my friend.

[oglenewinkel]

Sorry about the double posts. I had not finished my thoughts and my computer freaked out.

[Danielos]

Krav Maga is probably the best option to learn. Jiu-Jitsu would also take longer to learn the basics either and my opinion is that Krav Maga would be better if you would want to work as a police officer later as it is much more effective.

[MDeaneUSCG]

Krav Maga gives me the confidence in my capabilities under stress. I've done a number of different martial arts and defensive tactics stuff, but Krav gives you solid principles, and good techniques that work under duress. The stress drills seem pretty unique to Krav as well, and do a good job at increasing proficiency in a combat environment. That, along with the lack of any of the formalities of other arts like forms, means that Krav can focus only on one thing, going home alive.

Also, something i learned while applying Krav to my use of force policy, is that while some stuff may be off limits unless I'm in a deadly force situation (groin strikes), with proper articulation, i can fit a lot of Krav into my policy. It is also worth noting that the heart of Krav Maga is based on the initial response to the threat, at least in my opinion. Many things, like 360 defense, inside defense, etc. can be utilized regardless of agency policy, and any defense against a choke or weapon that may include unauthorized strikes otherwise, become valid because you are acting in defense of your life.

[Don]

You can't strike the groin unless you're in deadly force?! LAME!!! Sorry Bro!

[MDeaneUSCG]

Yeah, we define deadly force as any force likely to cause death or serious physical injury.
We define serious physical injury as any actual physical injury likely to result in unconsciousness, protracted or obvious disfigurement, or protracted impairment or loss of function of a bodily member, organ, our mental faculty.

So, since kicking/striking/grabbing to the groin could likely result in ruptured testicles, it is considered deadly force.

[Don]

Wow. That's pretty sad. Under those ROEs, it could be argued (by some POS defense attorney) that using an baton/impact weapon, a carotid/LVNR, kicking to a knee, punching to the head, use of less lethal weapons such as a 37/40mm baton launching system, among a host of other force options, would also fall under deadly force...

That is so opposite end of the spectrum compared to your acceptable force options when dealing with a boat in open water that is refusing to yield... (or at least what I've been told by a buddy in USCG)...

[MDeaneUSCG]

Baton and LTL are covered under our 5th level of force, which includes the proper use of expandable baton and rubber fin stabilized munitions. However, on everything else, you'd be correct. What's crazy, is that Congress gives us a ton of leeway under 14USC89, stating we may use 'all necessary force to compel compliance'. Our UoF policy, levels, and guiding principles are all instructions approved by the Commandant that limit that overarching power given by Congress.
I'm hoping it's not me that has to find out the hard way whether or not the CG will back me up if a defense attorney starts poking holes in our archaic UoF policy. From what I've heard, we are pretty far behind the power curve when it comes to UoF policy and case law. I feel the problem lies with the fact that we don't deal with a ton of UoF cases, so we haven't had to change many things yet.

[Don]

Yeah, unfortunately it sounds like way too many of our agencies (at all levels) are operating under the "we're not going to change anything until/unless something bad happens" standard and the "something bad" is usually Not an employee getting hurt or killed but rather the organization paying out a large sum of money after losing a court battle...

[TacticalTimmy]

Sigh. That's what I enjoyed about being a grunt and in a war zone. If you were stupid enough to try and hit or shoot one of us with something, you received a 62-grain common sense injection at high velocity.

[Markbjj77]

Remember, you owe more to yourself and your family then you do to your agency! Your goal is to come home alive!

If you violate an agency policy, you can lose your job for sure, but is it worth the risk of losing your life if you don't.

At the end of the day regardless of Dept. policy, if you end up in court, there is only one standard you'll be held to legally, and it isn't your Dept policy!

Follow dept policy as long as it is reasonable to do so, but also know that legally you are allowed to do whatever is reasonable to defend yourself regardless.

[Lala55]

Thanks Danielos..........sharing information.