HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Students attending Airman Leadership School here recently participated in a hands-on self-defense training session led by 66th Security Forces Squadron combatives instructors.
The training introduced fundamental self-defense techniques and situational awareness strategies to military and civilian students attending the five-week professional development course.
“The ALS class expressed to their cadre they wanted to learn self-defense,” said Tech. Sgt. Dean Concepcion, lead instructor for the training. “It just so happens that two defenders in the class knew us and reached out to see if we could put on a block of instruction.”
Concepcion and Senior Airman Lekena McCallum, both 66 SFS certified combatives instructors, led the two-hour session at the Fitness and Sports Center.
The training includes basic ground-fighting techniques, standing defense maneuvers, and methods for assessing potential threats.
Senior Airman Alexis Awkerman, an ALS student and SFS defender assigned to the 6th Space Warning Squadron at Cape Cod Space Force Station in Massachusetts, enjoyed the training.
“It was a great training especially for those not in security forces,” said Awkerman. “It’s a great way for other Air Force Specialties to experience what we experience and have a deeper understanding of the career field.”
According to Concepcion and McCallum, the training aligned with key readiness objectives.
“Oftentimes, we become comfortable in our daily routines, assuming we’re always in a safe environment,” said Concepcion. “But the reality is, things can go wrong quickly. This training provides Airmen with another tool in their toolbox to make split-second decisions.”
Physical and mental readiness were also takeaways from the training, according to the instructors, as students learned how to maintain composure under stress while executing defensive maneuvers.
“It’s about being prepared, both physically and mentally,” said McCallum. “In any career field, there will always be stressors. Learning how to react under pressure is essential, especially in situations that require fast decision-making.”
Master Sgt. Talisa Bell, ALS commandant, emphasized the importance of incorporating this type of training into professional military education.
“This training provided ALS students with essential defensive tactics, improving their confidence and readiness for real-world situations,” said Bell. “By integrating combatives into their curriculum the class gained valuable skills to lead and protect in challenging environments.”
As Hanscom AFB continues to prioritize readiness initiatives, incorporating self-defense training into ALS helps to develop well-rounded leaders that are equipped to handle dynamic and unpredictable situations.
- Published
- By Mark Wyatt
- 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs