The thing about most arm locks that can be executed from a standing position is that are very dependent on Tai Sabaki. There is no real shortcut to learning the Irimi, Irimi-tenkan, etc that it takes to be successful in the time available. Think about how much training and experience it takes to get from executing kote gaeshi from a grab to being able to execute in a dynamic situation. Its not really a question of what are the best techniques for soldiers to know. It is more of a question of what is it possible for them to learn in the time available, and how to motivate soldiers to want to train and commanders to want them to train. I think that technically the techniques in the old manual were not to bad. I also think that it was a complete failure. The bottom line is that soldiers were not training. They never have. If they had been America would be full of experts, and Combatives would be more popular than TaeKwonDo. Also remember that the manual is not supposed to show every possible technique. It is more a doctrinal statement that shows the direction of training than anything else. Imagine what sort of book it would take to show all of the variables that can take place during a hand-to-hand encounter.
Matt Larsen
1. The defining characteristic of a warrior is the willingness to close with the enemy.
2. The winner of the hand-to-hand fight in combat is the one whose buddy shows up first with a gun.