Course enhances Airmen's self-defense techniques Published March 12, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates Air Force Print News SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) -- For security forces Airmen, the use of force is a possibility every day. From firing on a vehicle attempting to crash through a gate to repelling an enemy attack on a forward-deployed base, security forces face the potential of using raw, deadly force as a part of their job. But not every situation requires such an extreme response. A program at Osan Air Base, South Korea, is teaching security forces Airmen just this -- how to apply less extreme measures of persuasion and restraint. Part of the Combat Readiness Course, or CRC, this class teaches various physical restraint and controlling techniques Airmen can use in situations that do not require blunt force trauma. The course builds on the basics of techniques security forces Airmen learn in their initial training, teaching them how to punch, kick and take down an individual effectively and with the right amount of force. "It's not that I was unable to protect myself prior to this course," said Tech. Sgt. Paul Clay, a CRC trainee. "But with what I've learned now I can protect myself better and prevent injuries as well." Ultimately, the goal is to resolve all conflicts peacefully, say course instructors, but this is not always possible for security forces Airmen. "We're in a career field that's ever-changing," said Staff Sgt. Jamie Auger, NCO in charge of training. "So, if I can teach (security forces Airmen) something new they can use and push down to other Airmen, then we've done a good job." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page