COMBAT JUDO: THE CROSS HOCK TAKEDOWN

CROSS HOCK TAKEDOWN 1971 US ARMY FM 21-150

One of the most glaring differences between the sport judo and Combat Judo (the use of judo in the military for combat) is the striking element. In sport the only way to off balance you opponent is thru grappling, pushing and pulling to off balance him to set up the throw. In military field manuals strikes precede all throws or takedowns. The strikes serve either to off balance the opponent or stun him in turn setting up the takedown...…..CLICK TO CONTINUE 

THE ALAMO SCOUTS 76th ANNIVERSARY

One of the things I am most proud of is that I am a supporter of the Alamo Scouts Historical Foundation, here in Florida. Last month, November 28th, marked the 76th anniversary of which the unit was formed. The Alamo scouts were taught judo in their specialized training. The Scouts also got specialized training in hand to hand combat in Judo. Judo in the military in those days was much different than the sport of judo most a familiar with  nowadays. The Judo instructor was, 1SG Stephen J. Mrozinski, pictured above training the First class of Alamo Scouts. (Picture from private collection)

The following is from a 2018 article from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Historian Office.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- November 28, 2018 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of one of the most daring U.S. Army Special Operations units of World War II: the Alamo Scouts.

U.S. Army LTG Walter Krueger, commander of the U.S. Sixth Army (also known as the 'Alamo Force'), established the Alamo Scouts in the Southwest Pacific Area in late 1943. With an area of responsibility composed more of water than land, Krueger realized he needed a small unit of skilled men with specialized reconnaissance expertise to provide him with information needed to defeat the Japanese. As a result, on November 28, 1943, he directed that select soldiers be trained in the special skills of amphibious reconnaissance, jungle warfare, and clandestine operations behind enemy lines. They would become known as the Alamo Scouts.

An Alamo Scouts Training Center was established and an innovative assessment and selection process was developed. An evolving program of instruction incorporated both internal and external evaluations throughout the course to ensure only the best soldiers were selected for Alamo Scouts training. Combat veteran volunteers for the course were given intensive training in weapons, communications, intelligence reporting, physical conditioning, amphibious reconnaissance skills, and extended patrolling techniques. Students also learned to infiltrate enemy territory employing a variety of means, ranging from swimming and operating rubber boats to Patrol Torpedo Boats, submarines, and Catalina flying boats. Students trained for six weeks, unaware of their status until they graduated. Of the several hundred students who attended the course, only 138 were selected as Alamo Scouts.

After graduating, Alamo Scouts were organized into ten teams of five-to-ten men and assigned to tasks ranging from special reconnaissance to direct action and prisoner/hostage rescue. Their patrol reports contained valuable information that higher units used in the field, as part of the larger military campaign. 

By war's end, the Scouts conducted more than 100 missions behind enemy lines, a remarkable feat. The Alamo Scouts were to provide amphibious reconnaissance on Kyushu Island for the invasion of mainland Japan when the dropping of two atomic bombs forced Japanese surrender. After a short time as security for key officers during the occupation of Japan, the unit was disbanded in Kyoto in November 1945.

Several members of the Alamo Scouts found their way into the ranks of Army Special Forces later in their careers. Aspects of Alamo Scout training, including their use of peer evaluations during training, were incorporated into the Special Forces Qualification Course and continue impacting Army Special Operations Forces to this day.(5) Moreover, the Alamo Scouts clearly demonstrated they are "value-added" and how Special Operations Forces can provide unique skills to conventional forces in major theaters of operation.

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Author:

The Deputy U.S. Army Special Operations Command Historian, Dr. Michael E. Krivdo, earned his PhD in Military and Diplomatic History from Texas A&M University. He is a former Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Officer with varied special operations research interests.

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Note: This modified article originally appeared in Veritas: Journal of Special Operations History 14:2 (2018): 48. Veritas is a publication of the United States Army Special Operations Command History Office, Fort Bragg, NC.

THE CROSS ARM GUARD AKA THE O'NEILL COVER

The cross-arm guard, referred to in combatives circles as The O’Neill Cover is often credited to Pat O'Neill. Dermot "Pat" O'Neill was the legendary hand to hand combat instructor for the FSSF First Special Service Force the precursor special forces group to the Green berets and army special forces. O'Neill on loan from the British govt was tasked to train these men to fight in close quarter combat behind enemy lines. 

O'Neill's methods differed from his mentor Fairbairn as in that O’Neill was tasked to train shock troops that would encounter action behind enemy lines from all angles and directions.

This technique is very effective against flurries of straight

punches and hooks attempted clinches or bear hug type attacks. When your opponent swarms you with his attack you can use the Shove Breakaway/O’Neill Cover to drive forward taking over your opponent’s centerline and drive him backward.

Variations can be found in the sport of boxing; the Philly shell. It is found in numerous curriculums such as Lee Morrison's Urban Combatives as well as Keysi Fighting Method, it has many uses and applications in its variations from defensive to offensive. From serving as a protective cover of the head and body to executing effective extreme close quarter counter striking.

Boxing's Heavy Weight Champion, Archie Moore called it “the lock”, a defensive shell that has its origins in bare-knuckle boxing. The Cross-arm Guard placed higher emphasis on stopping straight punches, protecting the knock out points of the head, the jaw, nose, and mouth. It was considered to be the best guard against head damage. Moore used the guard to set up devastating counter punches.  

               

The O’Neill cover/cross arm guard brings both hands into use and can be extremely effective in extreme close quarters when gap has closed very rapidly and one is hard pressed by an assailant, off balance, in an awkward position, trapped in a corner or against a wall.

From a bladed off position, right side forward, bring the right forearm, bent at the elbow, across the face, the nose and chin fitting snugly into the crook of the elbow.  The left close to and directly across the front of the body, the upper arm covering the heart and left ribs, the forearm and hand with the palm opened and turned in, protecting the pit of stomach and right ribs.

Proper body position helps prepare against low-line attacks. The block can be made still more of a “safety” by “hollowing out” as you move the arms into position”. At close distance adopting an extended variation of the O’Neill cover serves quite well as a means to avoid a stabbing attack to the mid-section. Execute the movement while hollowing your mid-section and butt out and away from your attacker then move forward to gain control. 

 The O'Neill cover allows high line straight punches to be parried with the forearm, while the elbow and shoulder protect the face and chin. The elbow could very well be used to spear an opponent’s strike that should run onto it. The triceps area of the arm in co-operation with the chin tucked in the shoulder protects the knockout points while body punches can be adsorbed on the opposite arm which covers across the midsection. 

The O’Neill Cover/Cross arm guard can be applied against a variety of attacks as well as employ a variety of counter attacks:

A Reflexive instinctive action, the O'Neill cover can be easily executed from a non violent position. It protects against high-line and mid-line attacks while lock and loading your weapons system, chambering highly effective strikes for immediate counter ambush tactics. 

Elbow strikes, blade of forearm strikes can be applied when an attackers grabs or attempts to grab/grapple to the attackers face, side of neck ,throat and body. 

Pictured to the left you can see that the O'Neill cover can used to break a two hand choking attempt as well as other one handed and two hand grabs such as label grabs and attempted grabs.