| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling martial art which | | | | Rangers were sent to the Gracie Academy in |
| traces its origin all the way back to Japan. Brazilian | | | | Torrance, CA. This was all that it took to decide |
| Jiu Jitsu, also known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu, BJJ, and/or | | | | that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would be the technical base |
| GJJ began to gain some recognition after Brazilian | | | | for the U.S. Army Combatives course from that |
| Royce Gracie dominated his opponents in the | | | | point forward. |
| newest of fighting venues, the Ultimate Fighting | | | | BJJ also maintains a very highly sought after |
| Championship, becoming the very first UFC | | | | competitive element. There are BJJ tournaments |
| Champion. Since this explosion of BJJ onto the | | | | for competitors all around the world. In this, |
| scene in the 90's, hundreds of thousands of | | | | competitors are matched based upon a variety of |
| people have taken up BJJ and the sport is still | | | | criteria, including belt level, weight, and age. Also, in |
| ever evolving. | | | | honor of BJJ's constant progression, as well as a |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was also one of the first martial | | | | commitment to realism and practicality, a no-gi |
| arts taught in the U.S. Army Combatives program. | | | | division has also become a large part of the sport. |
| In 1995, the Commander of the 2nd Ranger | | | | In some no-gi tournaments, divisions are based |
| Battalion, LTC Stan McCrystal submitted the order | | | | solely upon length of time in training (or time in |
| to revive and enhance the U.S. Army's martial | | | | service). Regardless of level, many students pride |
| arts training program. A team was created on this | | | | themselves on their competition experience, and |
| order, and headed by SSG Matt Larson. After | | | | even gain a majority of their training through |
| intense research of many martial arts programs | | | | them. In addition, many instructors recommend |
| around the world, one was found to be successful | | | | that their students compete, siting a certain |
| in training soldiers with no previous martial arts | | | | atmosphere and brand of experience which simply |
| experience, and teaching them with significant | | | | cannot be acquired through classroom instruction |
| result in a very short amount of time. That | | | | and sparring alone. Competition teaches you not |
| martial art was Sombo. Knowing that there were | | | | only of your BJJ skills, but of yourself, and allows |
| not enough Sombo instructors around, the team | | | | you the opportunity to hone those skills, as well |
| decided that the new martial arts program would | | | | as your mental endurance, physical fortitude, and |
| focus primarily on grappling. After this initially | | | | overall attrition. |
| tentative decision was made, groups of Army | | | | |