MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- For five to six hours each day for one week, Depot Marines are afforded the opportunity to endure rigorous training and improve their combat fighting skills in attempt to advance from a tan belt to the gray belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
According to the Web site www.karateforums.com, MCMAP combines the best combat tested marital art skills to include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Akido, Muay Tai, Tae Kwon Do and Wing Chun, a system of fighting that enables a smaller, weaker person to destroy a bigger, stronger person within a few seconds.
Lance Cpl. Christopher Wainscott, a permanent change of station clerk for the Depot Consolidated Administration Center, who weighs 140 pounds and is 5'8", said most bigger guys could take someone his size down.
"Learning gray belt techniques and advancing in belts will make it easier to defend myself," said Wainscott, who plans to attend the green belt course once he earns his gray belt.
During the gray belt course, the tan belt - now required upon graduation of recruit training - is reviewed and the gray belt techniques are taught.
"[The course] was hard, but fun," said Wainscott. "We did conditioning, which involved a workout CD that made seven minutes seem like forever."
Upon the advancement to each belt, 100 percent knowledge of the prior belt is required.