The aim of this monograph is to examine the relationship between training methodology and resilience outcome within the Modern Army Combatives Program. The examination includes three evidence-based sections that qualitatively and quantitatively conclude that traditional martial arts training methodologies are more effective at producing individual resilience. The first section of the study is a comparison of the Modern Army Combatives Program and Traditional Judo. This section highlights the methodology used to determine whether a particular methodology is modern or traditional. It also identifies three key characteristics that may influence resilience outcomes: the rate of progression within the program, integration of values/ethics training, and sustained habituation of training. This section qualitatively concludes that there should be no difference in resilience outcomes between modern and traditional training methodologies. The second section tests the qualitative conclusion through a correlative archival study. This quantitative approach concludes that, based on a review of current research concerning the psychological outcomes of martial arts, traditional training methodologies produce higher individual resilience. The research items reviewed indicate a statistically significant higher mean resilience score for traditional methodologies. This result is significant at the 95% confidence interval. The third section resolves the apparent inconsistency between the qualitative and quantitative results through a case study of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. This case study concludes that the Marine Corps program utilizes a more traditional training methodology and at least partially contributes to higher individual resilience when compared to the Army program. It highlights the same three key areas influencing overall resilience outcome as the study of the Army program. This monograph makes the final recommendation that the Army should modify the Modern Army Combatives Program by changing the current progression system, integrating values/ethics training, and reinforcing the habituation of training within the program. These changes result in a more traditional training methodology and improve individual resilience.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)