MARINE CORPS MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM / AFGHANISTAN

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="3d4d4c00dduajq.gif"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2b8c8960.gif" border=0 width="200" height="150" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> GYSGT. LEON WRIGHT USMC RETIRED       MCMAP 5TH DEGREE  AUGUST 27, 2007</div> <div> <IMG SRC="3e3fa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> GYSGT. LEON D. WRIGHT USMC RETIRED </div> <div> AWARD BY US ARMY NOVEMBER 15, 2007</div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="43bfa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FF6600" FACE="Arial" >WORLD KARATE UNION HALL OF FAME</FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FF6600" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>    |   <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WORLD KARATE UNION HALL OF FAME"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABOUT US"><U>ABOUT US</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="UPCOMING EVENTS"><U>UPCOMING EVENTS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKU HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES"><U>WKU HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id147.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12TH YEAR WKUHOF AWARDS"><U>12TH YEAR WKUHOF AWARDS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FORM"><U>TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FORM</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOURNAMENT"><U>TOURNAMENT</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id84.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NOMINATING BALLOT"><U>NOMINATING BALLOT</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKU/AUSTRALASIAN HALL OF FAME"><U>WKU/AUSTRALASIAN HALL OF FAME</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKU / CARIBBEAN HALL OF FAME"><U>WKU / CARIBBEAN HALL OF FAME</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IN MEMORY"><U>IN MEMORY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HALL OF FAME GALLERY"><U>HALL OF FAME GALLERY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10TH YEAR WKUHOF AWARDS BANQUET ANNIVER"><U>10TH YEAR WKUHOF AWARDS & BANQUET ANNIVERSARY</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11TH YEAR WKUHOF AWARDS"><U>11TH YEAR WKUHOF AWARDS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS OLYMPICS EAST"><U>INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS OLYMPICS "EAST-WEST OPEN" /  WKU INTERNATIONAL KUMITE RULES</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="IMAC MARTIAL ARTS PASSPORT RECORD BOOK"><U>IMAC MARTIAL ARTS "PASSPORT" RECORD BOOK</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKURS RATINGS SYSTEM"><U>WKURS RATINGS SYSTEM</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKURS RATINGS APPLICATION"><U>WKURS RATINGS APPLICATION</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WORLD KARATE UNION COLLECTOR CARDS"><U>WORLD KARATE UNION COLLECTOR CARDS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NEWS"><U>NEWS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKU ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS"><U>WKU ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE STYLE"><U>THE STYLE</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CHOOSING A SCHOOL"><U>CHOOSING A SCHOOL</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="THE INSTRUCTORS"><U>THE INSTRUCTORS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CLASS SCHEDULES"><U>CLASS SCHEDULES</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKU ACADEMY PHOTOS"><U>WKU ACADEMY PHOTOS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PEDONES HEAVY HITTERS "><U>PEDONE'S HEAVY HITTERS </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LINKS"><U>LINKS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WKUHOF MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE US"><U>WKUHOF MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE USMC</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id140.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SUPPORT OUR TROOPS"><U>SUPPORT OUR TROOPS</U></A>   |   MARINE CORPS MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM / AFGHANISTAN   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CONTACT US"><U>CONTACT US</U></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="04558020.gif" border=0 width="600" height="2" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div>  <IMG SRC="2b8c8960.gif" border=0 width="200" height="150" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> MARINE CORPS MARTIAL ARTS THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE</div> <bR> <bR> <div> NOBODY LIKES WAR. But freedom-loving people must fight them and win. That's been the mission of the United States Marine Corps since 1775. Combat has changed since then and so has the Marine Corps. Yet as the war on terrorism and the battle against Iraq unfolds, the Marines aren't just keeping pace with the techniques of the modern battlefield. They're leading the way. Case in point: The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.</div> <bR> <div> During July 2000, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed the development and implementation of a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The program goals are to improve warfighting capabilities of individual Marines and Units, enhance Marines' self-confidence and esprit de corps, and further instill the warrior ethos into the Corps. This program will heighten the personal development of each Marine in a team framework, using a standardized, trainable and sustainable close combat system. This design will enhance Marines' minds, bodies and spirits thereby substansially improving overall unit combat readiness throughout the Total Force.</div> <bR> <div>  USMC MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM IS MORE THAN PUNCHING, KICKING</div> <bR> <div> The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program combines 10 martial arts into a four fighting discipline designed to sharpen the mind and body.</div> <bR> <div> UNARMED COMBAT</div> <bR> <div> EDGED WEAPONS</div> <bR> <div> WEAPONS OF OPPORTUNITY</div> <bR> <div> RIFLE & BAYONET</div> <bR> <div> General James L. Jones, Commandant of the Marine Corps, initiated the program in 1999 because he believed the current program did not meet the need of anticipated 21st century conflicts. He wanted more non-lethal techniques avaiable for humanitarian and peacekeeping missions when deadly force was not authorized.</div> <bR> <div> Two hours of the martial arts training will soon be a mandatory part of active-duty physical training.</div> <bR> <div> "Marines have three to five mandatory hours of physical training a week. Soon two of those hours will be spent on martial arts training."</div> <bR> <div> The program, which is relatively new to the Depot, involves mental, physical and character discipline.</div> <bR> <div> The mental aspect of training is intendedto create a smarter Marine capable of decision-making under any condition from combat to liberty.</div> <bR> <div> "The mental training includes PMI's(professional military instruction), the commandant's reading list, and the study of past and present warfare techniques".</div> <bR> <div> The physical training is composed of both lethal and non-lethal tactics including weapons and unarmed styles.</div> <bR> <div> "The physical training builds combat toughness and physical endurance". The character aspect of training involves core values and leadership training aimed to the mental toughness Marines gain in recruit training.</div> <bR> <div> "The mental aspect builds esprit de Corps and a Warrior Spirit that is needed for success in combat".</div> <bR> <div> It will be mandatory and will benefit even the experienced martial artist.</div> <bR> <div> The program was developed by a martial arts subject matter experts. So, even Marines with martial arts background can gain from the training.</div> <bR> <div> If a Marine is lacking in any of the mental, physical or character disciplines, he can have 20 years martial arts training and still have much to learn from this program.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> MARINE CORPS MARTIAL ARTS BELT SYSTEM</div> <bR> <div> I<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >f you're familiar with karate and tae-kwondo, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program belt-ranking system will be nothing new. It spans five colors. Each level includes stretching, body-hardening exercises, academic study and written exams.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> * TAN - Basic techniques. Instruction focuses on core values and principles of leadership. Tecniques include the basic warrior stance, body - movement angles, punches, body strikes, chokes and holds.</div> <bR> <div> * GREY - Instruction includes more basics, introductory to intermediate fundamentals and mental discipline. Techniques include elbow and knife-hand strikes, chokes, counter-chokes, counter-strikes, off balancing techniques and bayonet fighting.</div> <bR> <div> * GREEN - Intermediate fundamentals of each discipline. Techniques include muscle-gouging, shoulder throws, wrist locks using enhanced pain compliance, ground fighting and weapons of opportunity.</div> <bR> <div> * BROWN - More intermediate-level fundamentals and introductory advanced-level fundamentals of each Discipline. Techniques include bayonet methods against multiple attackers, leg locks andarm bars, arm bar counters, fire -arm disarms and retention and non-lethal baton tactics.</div> <bR> <div> * BLACK - Advanced skills. Techniques include bayonet use in low light and against multiple attackers, sweeping hip throws, face rips and triangle chokes from the guard, pistol counters, cupped-hand strikes and pressure point applications.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> WHEN CHARACTER COUNTS</div> <bR> <div> Three core values are cricial to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and to the Corps itself. They are vital to every Marine's physical, mental and moral development.</div> <bR> <div> HONOR - For Marines, this means honesty, integrity, respect, accountability and trust.</div> <bR> <div> COURAGE - It includes mental, moral and physical strength. It helps Marines do what's right no matter the circumstances. And it helps defeat the enemy wherever he's found.</div> <bR> <div> COMMITMENT - It breeds professionalism, discipline, pride and mastery of the art of war. Without commitment, there would be no UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. SEMPER FIDELIS.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL SITE FOR THE MCMAP PROGRAM</div> <div> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE OFFICIAL UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM VISIT:</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >                                                        </FONT><A HREF="http://www.usmc.mil" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.usmc.mil"><U>http://www.usmc.mil</U></A> <A NAME="mil"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >                        </FONT>  <A HREF="http://www.tbs.usmc.mil/pages/MartialArts/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tbs.usmc.mil/pages/MartialArt"><U>http://www.tbs.usmc.mil/pages/MartialArts/index.htm</U></A> <A NAME="htm"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2ba5c600.gif" border=0 width="92" height="96" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> "THE PATROL" STATUE AT RAIDER HALL</div> <div> (FUND RAISER)</div> <div> <IMG SRC="2ffa92c0.jpg" border=0 width="425" height="300" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> "The Patrol" statue will be created by Laurie Barton, of Barton Studios</div> <div> in Stafford, Virginia. She is renowned for her works in bronze. The picture</div> <div> that appears in this article is representative of the speech made by Charles</div> <div> Meacham, Prewident of the Marine Raiders Association, made at the</div> <div> dedication of "Raiders Hall', the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Center</div> <div> of Excellence, on August 2, 2004. He stated that there was a natural evolution</div> <div> and continuity from the tough men of the Raider Battalions to the present </div> <div> students who are graduated from this extremely challenging course. The original</div> <div> first two Battalions of these highly trained American Commandos were commanded by two famous leaders of the Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Merritt</div> <div> "Red Mike" Edson, who had become famous fighting in the jungles of Haiti and</div> <div> Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carison, who studied guerilla warfare from Mao Tse- Tung in China. These two Battalions became "the best of the best", leading to</div> <div> the development of the Third and Fourth Raider Battalion.  The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, itself, contains every element required for Marines to defend themselves in every situation, against multiple assailants.</div> <div> Having witnessed the training, I can tell you that the young Marines of this era are</div> <div> every bit as tough as any Marine in our Corps long and glorious history. With that in mind, the statue will represent a Marine Raider in the fatigues they wore at that time in particular and all World War II Marines, in general, standing guard,  weapon in hand ready to protect a young modern day Marine martial artist crouched in a Defensive posture, holding a modern version of the bayonnet, with a guard wrapping around his</div> <div> right hand. The bayonnet is an OKC3S, proudly manufactured by the Ontario Knife</div> <div> Company. The two Marines are spiritually connected over decades, through the Esprit de Corps that Marines hold sacred. Their fellowship is unending and will be emulated in this larger than life bronze memorial statue, standing on a concrete base, which will</div> <div> dominate the entrance area of the Raider Hall.</div> <div> Of course, a statue of this great eminence and painstaking, arduous task will require a</div> <div> significant amount of funds for its completion and placement. That is where we come in, we former Marines, who in spirit never left their beloved Corps. A  fund is presently set up to pay for the memorial,since the Corps cannot legally accept funds directly. It will be known and located as, "The Patrol", placed in front of Raider Hall, the home of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), The Marine Raiders have also recently moved their museum by closing their original site and placing all of their memorabillia to Raider Hall in Quantico, Virginia near the Basic School.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> The address to send your donations is:</div> <bR> <div> The US Marine Raiders Association</div> <div> Dr. James Johannes, Treasurer</div> <div> 975 University Avenue</div> <div> Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1234</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gunghofund.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gunghofund.org"><U>http://www.gunghofund.org</U></A> <A NAME="org"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <div> The US Marine Raiders Association is a non-profit organization, as well as having</div> <div> Federal tax deductible donations affirmed, up to 30% of your donation. The checks</div> <div> should be made out to the Association. Credit cards are accepted.</div> <bR> <div> SEMPER FIDELIS</div> <bR> <div> PLEASE GIVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AFFORD, BECAUSE THE</div> <div> RAIDERS GAVE ALL THAT THEY HAD!</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> I am sure that the Marines, who see this article, will send what they are capable of</div> <div> spending, in order to make this a success. The Patriot statue will usher in a new</div> <div> era of Marine Corps history, bringing the past, present and future together, anticipating</div> <div> the battles of the future, bringing further honor and glory to the Corps and the </div> <div> individual who have sacrificed so much.</div> <bR> <div>  Edward F. McGrath, Judan</div> <div> Former 1st LT., USMC (9/57-10/62)</div> <div> Grandmaster isshinryu</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>                                                                      </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2ba5c600.gif" border=0 width="92" height="96" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> MCMAP IN KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="21cfa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> AFTER 8 LONG WEEKS -</div> <div> LEON D. WRIGHT & 1ST GREEN BELT INSTRUCTOR GRADUATING CLASS IN AFGHANISTAN</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="233fa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> 2 ON LEON</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="23440c80.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> SSG. MURRELL & LEON D. WRIGHT</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="23940c80.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <IMG SRC="23a40c80.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="23640c80.jpg" border=0 width="320" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> LEON D. WRIGHT</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="247fa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="29680e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="247fa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="3eef97c0.jpg" border=0 width="505" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="3eff87c0.jpg" border=0 width="504" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> LEON D. WRIGHT GYSGT. USMC RETIRED</div> <div> AWARDED BY U.S. ARMY FOR EXEMPLATORY SERVICE 12/6/03 - 12/08/07</div> <div> VOLUNTEER CLOSE COMBAT MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="43efa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="43bfa7c0.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="23880e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Click on:   <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LEON D. WRIGHT"><U>BIO - LEON D. WRIGHT</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="235337c0.jpg" border=0 width="563" height="380" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>