Davis-Monthan hosts self-defense instructor course

  • Published
  • By Airman Saphfire D. Cook
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) --  Security forces Airmen and civilian law enforcement officials participated in a three-day Rape Aggression Defense Systems instructor certification class Sept. 13  through 15 here.

RADS is a program designed to teach physical, defensive tactics that can be used when faced with aggression.

The instructor certification course equips participants with the skills necessary to execute physical tactics, the knowledge to teach the psychological and informational components and instill the confidence to be able to lead classes as instructors, said Master Sgt. Andrew F. Sorenson, a security forces flight sergeant.

Classes are geared toward women and can last nine to 12 hours.

The focus of the RADS program is teaching victims how to get out of a situation safely.

"Self defense is about being in the moment and doing what you have to do to survive," said Kathy Wright, the lead instructor for the course.

The techniques taught in the course are purely offensive, but they can be a deterrent much like defensive moves.

"When someone sees you get into a fighting stance, it can make them think you're about to execute some defensive moves," Sergeant Sorenson said. "Then they think, 'Whoa, let me back off and go find someone weaker.'"

The physical portion of the curriculum is very demanding, but students said they feel it's worth the effort.

One of the students, 4'10" Staff Sgt. Nakenya T. Portela-Bailey, the NCO in charge of the armory, said she is excited to be able to teach the public how to defend themselves in aggressive situations.

"Considering that we're the law enforcement, the fact that we're now able to teach these techniques to people is awesome."Sergeant Portela-Bailey said.

RADS was brought to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base by Lt. Col. James B. Hodges, the 355th Security Forces Squadron commander, who was involved with the program when he was stationed at Pope AFB, N.C.

"There are self defense classes, but this is a fight-to-survive class," Colonel Hodges said.

Colonel Hodges said his father, who has been a RADS instructor for 12 years, impressed this fact upon him with the story of a young college student who had taken the course.

According to his father, she was attacked from behind, and she struck her attacker in the throat with her elbow.

The blow caused the attacker to blackout and allowed her to escape.

Colonel Hodges said he wanted to offer this program on base because, as a security forces officer, he has first-hand knowledge of the assault crimes committed on installations.

"Last year, there were 25 reported cases of sexual assault on (Davis-Monthan AFB) and that's just the ones that were reported," he said.

Servicemembers can actually be more susceptible to becoming victims of aggression because they travel all over the world and are put into all types of environments, Ms. Wright said.

"We're trying to help the Airmen, through education, to make better decisions," she said.

Being in the military, or on a military installation, doesn't make servicemembers impervious to attacks.

Education in things such as self-prevention, risk reduction and thinking ahead are what make this program so effective, Colonel Hodges said .

Some of the women said learning specifics about their bodies, like where their power base is located, has made them become more confident in their abilities.

"This is about what the average woman wants, which is to get home safely," Ms. Wright said.