Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) participated in a self-defense course April 12 as part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Michael Connors, a self-defense course can help individuals learn how to effectively react if they are ever assaulted.
“Today we’re teaching Sailors basic self defense against an attacker,” he said. “The goal was to teach these individuals how to quickly react when surprised by an attacker and techniques the Sailors could use to fight back and get away.”
Several Sailors learned how to react to a surprise attack from behind, to the sides and from in front of them using methods of self-defense.
“This teaches Sailors the mindset of an attacker,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Griffith. “Understanding that you have the ability to fight back and how to quickly react if ever an attacker were to grab you can be very powerful tool.”
Sailors learned how to defend themselves using off balance techniques, joint manipulation, counter attacks and vocal methods.
“It’s important to know the basics of how to defend yourself,” said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Joseph Magri, a command victim advocate. “These techniques could end up saving your life or give someone you know the courage to learn how to defend themselves as well.”
“The more training you have the greater the chance you have to create the opportunity to get away,” said Connors.
In 2011 there were 582 reported cases of sexual assault in the Navy.
Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, April 15, 2013