DTRA team learns art of takedown

  • Published
  • By Lee Ross
  • Nucleus editor
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The men and women serving at Defense Threat Reduction Agency, or DTRA, at Kirtland were treated to a special physical training session Tuesday.

A group of nine active-duty military from DTRA, including Airmen, Army soldiers and Navy sailors, learned some simple ways to take down an adversary and control the situation.

Sgt. 1st Class Gabriela Miranda, the operations and logistics non- commissioned officer for DTRA, said Gracie Barra New Mexico Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near Kirtland offered the training session for free.

Dave Binder, an instructor at the dojo, said the introductory grappling class is offered free to first responders, law enforcement and military as a way of giving back.

"They're in high-tension situations," he said. "And, if they need to, they can use this training so they don't hurt someone, but still control them. A little bit of knowledge can go a really long way."

He added that fights often start with someone throwing a haymaker but that's not how they end.

"Grappling is how most fights wind up," he said.

His co-instructor for the day, Wesley King, added that Jiu-Jitsu practitioners can avoid punching someone in the mouth, which means they can avoid a nasty infection or worse.

"The mouth is a nasty, dirty place," he said.

Miranda said these kinds of classes might prove vitally important for military members.

"When we go into the battlefield, we have to defend ourselves at all costs," she said. "You go out with your weapon, but you may have a weapon jam. You have to know how to defend yourself."

DTRA members are required to maintain their skills and do some sort of physical training, she said. She volunteered to arrange for the training session for the group this time and was grateful that the local dojo offered the class.

"When I was deployed to Afghanistan, I felt safe most of the time," she said. "We had a couple of situations where a forward operating base got penetrated by the enemy, though. It wasn't where I was, but if it had been, these would be great skills to have."

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was founded in 2005 and is led by Professor Roberto Alencar.

Alencar said the goal of the training is to give trainees the most effective method of self-defense available.

"Gracie Barra has a long history of working with law enforcement and military personnel," he said. "Our staff enjoys working with the military because it is one way we can to contribute to the strength of the armed forces and give back to the community."