Close Combat - US Marine Corps Non-lethal Techniques

At a glance..

Nonlethal techniques are among the skills Marines use to apply a responsible use of force. This chapter describes all techniques for a right-handed person. However, all techniques can be executed from either side.

The details..

The USMC manual on Close Combat outlines unarmed restraints and manipulation techniques used to physically force a subject or opponent to comply without resorting to deadly force. These compliance techniques are applied in the third level of the continuum of force which includes pain compliance using joint manipulation and pressure points as well as come-along holds.

Joint Manipulation involves applying pressure on joints such as elbows, wrists, shoulders, knees ankles and fingers either in the direction where it will not bend naturally or beyond its natural point of movement until pain compliance is reached through off balancing an opponent if necessary.

A wristlock is a joint manipulation that can be applied by grabbing an opponents hand with one's own hand; placing thumb at back while knuckles face left/right depending on handedness; hooking fingers across fleshy part below thumb before exerting downward pressure with thumb then rotating opponents hand right/left again based on handedness; stepping into opponent for control & leverage.

Enhanced Pain Compliance Techniques are also addressed within this manual which apply levels 3 & 4 from the continuum of force - providing readers with valuable knowledge about how best to handle certain situations responsibly.