Marine Corps Close Combat Program

• The current martial arts program used in the Marines was developed in 1996 by 10 experts from numerous martial arts disciplines. This system replaced the LINE system in order to teach Marines techniques that could be used in peacekeeping situations as well as hostile situations.
  
  

Principles of MCMAP

• The program focuses on five basic principles--overload, balance, variety, regularity and progression--in order to gain four components of conditioning: strength, endurance, agility and coordination .
  
  

MCMAP Work-Out

• The program is developed to provide an excruciating work-out for Marines to develop reflexes, muscles and stamina better. Most exercises are done with a group or partner in order to promote teamwork on the battlefield.
  
  

MCMAP Combat

• The hand-to-hand combat taught to Marines take into consideration weapons available to the Marines as well as their own bodies. After their vigorous work-out Marines are instructed on how to fight while they are exhausted. What this does is to allow Marines to fight effectively even though they are fatigued.
  
  

Goals of MCMAP

• The ultimate goal of the program is not to bulk up Marines; it is to condition them for strenuous combat scenarios, develop discipline and restraint and how to handle situations in which bullets and grenades are not effective.