A Marine From Camp Courtney (OKI) is Coming to Northern VA!

[RACastanet]

Hello Dana, Heather et al...

Earlier Dana wrote:

Then the Marines took the stage. They all looked so young....but focused and fierce at the same time. They did pugil sticks, knife defense, gun defense and empty handed against weapons. Then two instructor black belts did a very intense bayonette partner set. Master Sergeant Franklin said this was the closest thing the MCMAP had to a kata. Deadly and intense - the two partners in the drill must have complete trust in each other. They work with razor sharp bayonettes and thrust them within inches of each others eyes. An error would be...costly.

It appears that Master Sergeant Franklin will be transferring to Quantico next week. He will become the Senior Non Commisioned Officer for the MCMAP HQ.

Apparently a lot of senior Marines were impressed with the bayonet 'kata' you saw. So much so that it will be a requirement for the MCMAP 2nd Degree Black Belt. Once here, MSgt will begin teaching a one week course using live edged weapons, including the partner set he demonstrated.

As always, the challenge is there and I am considering it. What do you think?

Regards, Rich

[Dana Sheets]

The bayonette dill looked like an amazing exercise for focusing the mind. When a live blade is about to be 1 inch or less from your face - you need to concentrate.

Also - the crouched stance they take and stay in throughout the drill has got to be a great burn for the legs.

It's one of those things that they made look easy, and I'm sure is tough to do. I hope you sign up - if you do, please let us know how it goes.

Also - please again extend my gratitude and the gratitude from all the women on the tour for all the work he did to allow us to meet and train with the Marines. Master Sgt Franklin is an absoutely wonderful man.

Dana

[Jackie Olsen]

I second that! The concentration and spirit were evident in the movements. As Dana said, the crouch definitely would contribute to conditioning/strength as well is indicative of the Tiger... strong muscles & sinews.

You're lucky if you have the opportunity to learn/train under Sgt. Mstr. Franklin.

[RACastanet]

Hello all. Today I met MSgt Franklin at Quantico during a training session for about 250 new 2nd Lts. Very nice person in addition to being a serious martial artist.

Franklin was very impressed by our Uechi Women, and remembered some of the group by name. Since the gathering, the OKI Marine base and the local Uechi karateka have formed a closer relationship.

Franklin is a 4th degree BB in Shorin Ryu but his first style was Uechi over 20 years ago in the Jim Thompson lineage. When he gets settled he would like to meet up with the local Uechi groups and get back into it.

Regards, Rich

[Dana Sheets]

That's great news.

I hope you enjoy training together. And I hope you share some of the cool new stuff you're learning!


Dana

[RACastanet]

Hello Dana. MSgt franklin will be living in the Manassas area. He wants to hook up with a Uechi dojo after he gets settled and gets the MCMAP dojo squared away to his liking... He figures that come November he will have time to meet the local Uechika. Plan on a visit in about 3 months!

Regards, Rich

[Dana Sheets]

Sounds like fun!

[RACastanet]

I did not make it to summer camp this year as I was already committed to fun and games at Quantico.

One of the events was for special demonstrations by the instructors. Dana mentioned seeing the bayonet form while at a demo on OKI. Today MSgt Franklin and SSgt Rossman did it for us and I was able to get a pic of the action, albeit from a distance.

Notice how close the blade is to the MSgt's eye. This is for real, no protection against a very sharp blade.

Here it is:



I'm still thinking about attempting to learn this very dangerous set.

Rich