Friday, March 7, 2008
Grab and twist. Pull. Break.
These were among the hand-to-hand combat maneuvers students in the University of Kansas Air Force ROTC program rehearsed Tuesday night.
For two hours in the martial arts room of the Robinson Center, 60 cadets practiced wristlocks, headlocks and chokes on each other as part of training in the Linear Infighting Neural Override Engagement, L.I.N.E., system of self-defense.
L.I.N.E., originally developed for the Marine Corps, imprints reflexive techniques and motions of self-defense in members of the military who learn the system.
Matt Booth, Medicine Lodge senior and AFROTC public affairs officer, said the training qualified as one of 15-weekly leadership laboratories AFROTC students must complete this semester.
Retired major Joe Fox demonstrates a L.I.N.E. manuever for AFROTC students Tuesday afternoon at Robinson Gymnasium. L.I.N.E. is a system of hand-to-hand combat manuevers intended for self defense.
Some leadership labs, like meetings about proper dress and the finer points of a salute, are mandatory. But the ROTC staff also has the freedom to choose more engaging labs, like Tuesday night’s combat training.
Capt. Corey Edmonds, the active duty officer who oversees cadet activities, said the ROTC students appreciated the chance to do something active.
“We try to build some fun stuff in,” he said. “They all think combat is cool.”
L.I.N.E. training was the first hand-to-hand combat lab AFROTC cadets had completed in at least four years, Booth said.
Stephanie Langley, Leavenworth junior, played a role in bringing L.I.N.E. training to the AFROTC by suggesting it to last year’s staff.
She said the Air Force had been trying to integrate more hand-to-hand combat into its training.
“This isn’t about starting a fight,” she said. “It’s about what you would do if you got in a fight.”
Langley’s father, Retired Maj. Mike Langley, is a certified L.I.N.E. instructor. He was one of five instructors from Fort Leavenworth working with the cadets on Tuesday.
pullquote
We try to build some fun stuff in. They all think combat is cool.
Capt. Corey Edmonds
Though the training’s primary purpose was self-defense, Ret. Maj. Langley told the AFROTC cadets that, in a real fight, combatants using L.I.N.E. would not pull any punches.
“If I burst your Achilles tendon, gee, I’m really sorry. But that’s my job,” Langley said to the cadets.
University cadets only had two-hour taste of L.I.N.E. training, which usually requires around nine weeks to complete. But John Sebes, Lansing freshman, said that was enough to learn some useful techniques.
“I don’t want to have to break someone’s arm, but it’s nice to know that if someone starts choking you out, you have an option,” Sebes said.
Booth said the AFROTC’s next big event would be Alumni Weekend on April 15. Cadets will also participate in an annual parade and drill competition at Memorial Stadium on May 3.
—Edited by Samuel Lamb
Air Force ROTC students
to practice navigation
ROTC protocol to remain unchanged
Despite the news that the military will be sending 20,000 additional troops ...
ROTC teaches life-long skills
KU Army ROTC cadets build their strengths for their future careers and ...
KUlture: ROTCs teach integrity, leadership
The University’s ROTC programs started in the early 1900s. ROTC members take ...
Air Force ROTC 'Physical Training for a ...
The AFROTC held a 5K run Saturday to raise money to go ...
ROTC enlistment remains steady
Increase of troops in Iraq not a deterent for students joining ROTC ...
Learning how to survive
Over the weekend, Air Force ROTC cadets from the University learned basic ...
Students to soldiers
Facing possible deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan after graduation, 81 University students ...
Army ROTC students compete in war games
Cadets reflect on ROTC Championship
The Univesity of Kansas didn’t come away emptied handed during the Final ...
Army ROTC welcomes new cadets
With a new year ahead of them, students make the decision to ...
Economy a factor in military enlistment
Student to join Marines for practicality, unspoken benefits, and fulfillment of childhood ...
ROTC midshipman honored with award
Senior Christian Jensen received one of eight Legion of Valor Bronze Cross ...
ROTC cadets honor veterans
Cadets of the ROTC at the University of Kansas spent Veterans Day ...
Boot camp 101: Machine gun training
Reporter Kelly Stroda watched privates in full combat gear learn to handle ...
What it's like
To fly in a fighter jet
ROTC hits the lake for combat training
A field leadership exercise used fake weapons, but real challenges, to test ...
Week of events promotes Veterans Day
Holiday observed with programs, opening of study hall in Burge Union.
Cadets march on Lawrence
ROTC cadets come to campus to compete in Ranger Buddy Competition
Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Players hold down fort for charity
Panelists discuss women’s leadership roles in the ...
Four panelists will speak about how women’s roles in the military have ...
Arm wrestling competition to be held at ...
New password policy is in effect at ...
CLAS departments have own ceremonies
Revised GI Bill could help schooling for ...
The bill’s benefits include cost of the most expensive public university and ...
Good Afternoon Mrs. E
One-hundred-and-thirty-seven buildings occupy the 1,000-acre Lawrence campus and more than 100 are ...
Profiles of Candidates
Keep your body guessing with TRX training
A new type of fitness offers students a new way to work ...
A look at KU's changing face of ...
University's turbulent past has evolved into a somewhat tranquil state of activism.
Obstacles teach KU Navy ROTC squads teamwork
Midshipmen climbed over 20-foot walls and crossed lines of tires in training ...
Week isn't just for the Greeks
Homecoming committee trying to make week more inclusive
Maverick
Nightclub offers new amenities
Blog: Basic Training
Reporter Kelly Stroda is spending six days at Ft. Leavenworth and Ft. ...
Kansas students volunteer for the earth
Student volunteers are making biodiesel on campus, and are looking for others ...
Homecoming unites students, alumni
A rock 'n' rollin' administrator and a scantily dressed Dorothy highlighted the ...
Where your waste goes after it’s disposed
Follow the process your trash and recyclables go through after they’re tossed ...
Not forgotten
New professor gets $5 million bioscience lab
The University contributed $5 million for the construction of a two-story research ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID