Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

Re: Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

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.

Re: Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

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

Re: Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

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.

Re: Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

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

Re: Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

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.

Re: Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

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.

Re: Should I Learn Krav Maga or….

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.