Why the U.S. Army Came to me for Expertise in Combatives
When the United States Army wanted answers about real-world hand-to-hand combat training, they didn’t just look to textbooks or theory—they came right here, to my gym in Merriam, Kansas.
Back in 2008, Major James Blanton of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College authored a Master’s Thesis titled Hand-to-Hand Combatives in the U.S. Army. The purpose of his research was to evaluate the effectiveness of different fighting systems—including Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, and more—in preparing soldiers for the realities of the battlefield. As part of that research, Major Blanton interviewed me, and I was cited in his thesis as an expert in Krav Maga and modern combatives.
My Background
I’m a U.S. Air Force veteran and a lifelong martial artist with over 15 years of experience in Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Kempo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Krav Maga. That mix of traditional arts and real-world combat systems gave me the perspective to answer one of the Army’s biggest questions: what actually works under stress?
What I Told the U.S. Army About Krav Maga
On Combat Mindset: Krav Maga is designed for survival. There are no rules—only instinct, aggression, and efficiency. When stress skyrockets, your body doesn’t have time for complicated moves. You need simple, gross-motor techniques that hold up when it counts.
On Practical Training: I explained that just 20–25 hours of Krav Maga training can give students real, usable skills for self-defense. That’s why it works so well for soldiers—and why it’s just as valuable for everyday people.
On Real-World Effectiveness: I told them, “In scientific theory, if your premise is wrong then everything that follows is wrong.” In other words—train for reality, not fantasy.
What This Means for You
If you’re training here in Kansas, you’re learning from an instructor whose expertise was sought out by the U.S. Army. That’s the same credibility and real-world focus I bring to every single class at Steve Woolridge’s Krav Maga & Fitness Center.
Whether you’re here for self-defense, fitness, or just building confidence, you’re stepping onto the mats with a program so effective the U.S. Army came knocking for answers. Krav Maga works—and I’m here to teach it to you.
Ready to train where the Army came for answers? 📍 Visit us at Steve Woolridge’s Krav Maga & Fitness Center, Merriam, KS 📅 Book your Introductory Week today and discover why instinct-based training saves lives.
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