MILITARY CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT (MCQC) "CHAOS IS A FRIEND OF MINE"

Military Close Quarters Combat (MCQC) “Chaos is a Friend of Mine” - by Pettty Officer 2nd Class Snake Blocker, USN (2010)

Every culture and military has stories of their heroes in battle.  Some stories have been wrapped in myth and legend over time but they continue to motivate the fighter to expect a little bit more of themselves.  There are countless history books that speak of the under-dog overcoming seemingly impossible odds in close quarters combat.  The Zulus, Spartans, Romans and Samurai are studied in military colleges and men like Brave-Heart and 'Geronimo' are studied for their leadership and fighting prowess.  Whether you consider them the enemy or the saviors, one thing is certain, brave men will always hold their place among the great warriors of this world.  So what does this have to do with Military Close Quarters Combat (MCQC)?  It has more to do with it than you may think.  To be a great warrior, one must study the fighting attributes and courage of warriors from the past.  Sweat, blood and sand become the mixture for a Mano-y-Mano Martini (shaken not stirred).  The military warriors need to study MCQC so when there’s no other morally right choice to make, they can do bad things to evil people and let God sort out the truth in it all.

Col. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle was a World War I veteran who was an expert in MCQC.  He combined the Asian and European Sword, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, English Boxing, Savate (French arts), and lots of bayonet and edge weapon training.  The Marines are still taught about his exploits.  The British Army had many expert MCQC instructors who were influenced by the sword and knife training. The Brits study warriors like Sir Richard Burton, an expert with several blade arts.  Talk to any veteran Navy SEAL, Army Ranger or Green Beret and you’ll hear about harsh training and many hours of pistol, rifle, stick and knife training to prepare them for battle.  MCQC incorporates preparation, as if one’s life depended on it and every troop needs such training, even if they are not in the Special Forces.   

 

Sailors, Marine, Soldiers and Airmen can be warriors but unfortunately not all are.  In fact, few are.  Like the Marines say, “We are looking for a few good men.”  The Coast Guard’s have a motto, “Semper Paratus,” which means, “Always Ready!”  These are probably the best two words to describe Military Close Quarters Combat (MCQC).  Like its name, MCQC is a generic term which has been used for military close range combat, when firepower is not available or quickly accessible between you and your enemy. 

If stone could talk, the ancient battle fields could tell countless accounts of MCQC.  In the past eras of total war (TW), before the Geneva Convention, mano-y-mano skills made the deciding factor for victory and conquest.  History recounts great warriors of the past like David (later 2^nd King of Israel) who killed more than 300 men in MCQC by himself.  We all know the history of him killing the famous giant, Goliath, with a sling shot and hitting him in the forehead with a small stone.  He also killed a bear and a lion barehanded as a youth while protecting his sheep in the field.  David was considered one of the greatest warrior/leaders because he surrounded himself with other great warriors that accomplished similar feats.  To be on David’s top list of bodyguards and generals the person had to have killed 300 men in battle and/or have defeated large wild animals or giants.  By the end of David’s reign over Israel, the giant cultures were made extinct and his troops defeated more armies than most empires in world history. 

Everyone that went to History class or watched the History Channel should know the story of the 300 Spartans battling against the Persian Empire of about one million soldiers and holding them back for seven days. And there are hundreds of other great stories of mere men (and sometimes women) killing many soldiers in hand to hand fighting. 

The USSR used Sambo training which was their version of MCQC.  The French military practice hybrid versions of Savate and La Canne.  The Korean military is taught a mix of Tae Kwon Do and self-defense.  The Thai military teaches Muay Thai to their sailors and soldiers.  The Japanese military incorporate Karate, Kenjutsu and Jiu Jitsu to their training regimen.  Israel has their Krav Magra and every strong military has their own personal name for MCQC but the concepts are the same—kill your opponent before they kill you.

I and other Apaches have taught our culture fighting concepts to many members of the military.  This includes Apache Knife Fighting, scouting and other battle tactics to various units over many years.  The Apaches were also recruited as code talkers with their cousins, the Navajo. 

In addition to coding and decoding, they also went through MCQC training. 

At least two of my students have killed people which showed intent to kill them.  Both of my students used a knife and survived.  One stabbed his enemy in the heart and the other slit the bad guy’s throat.  A friend of mine, Sgt. Justin "Thunder-boy" Morris, Vietnam Veteran, killed a guy in Hamburger Hills by throwing a knife through a small opening in a machinegun bunker and landed it in the neck of a Viet Cong and killed him.  Thunder-boy said he practiced knife fighting everyday and always carried two knives with him. 

One aspect taught in MCQC is to train equally on both right and left side since you never know when you will lose movement of your dominant arm or leg in battle.  Training is about building up one’s pain tolerance and understanding that there is no “tapping out” in battle. The MCQC practitioner understands that Jiu-Jitsu does not work well against multiple attackers or against someone with a blade or someone with steel toed boots.  Mobility is not the same if one is wearing body armor and you don’t want to be rolling around on the ground when it is full of gravel, cement or asphalt.  You may end up on the ground but the point is to get up quickly because another guy may be close enough to kill you too. 

MCQC teaches to kill reflectively by preparing the mind to experience worse case scenarios before battle.  In battle there will be no time to debate the morality of killing or the option to be merciful when your life or your battle-buddy’s life in on the line.  MCQC teaches to slice and stab; block and crowd; distance and surprise; bite and blind; and eliminate the threat as quickly as possible by finishing the fight appropriate with the need to survive. 

Most military bases teach some form of martial arts so troops can supplement their MCQC training.  I’ve been to 11 bases in Afghanistan, 7 bases in Iraq and 5 bases in Kuwait and I’ve seen programs on European Fencing, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Aikido, BJJ & MMA; MAC Jiu Jitsu, Kung Fu, Judo, Kickboxing and Muay Thai.  

A few units in Afghanistan teach the concepts of MCQC and push their students in all ranges of combat without over-doing the ground wrestling. I salute those instructors.  A typical MCQC program should include:

1.      Warm-up

2.      Stretching

3.      Techniques, Drills, Sparring and Review

Weapons Range (20% of training time)

Kicking Range (20% of training time)

Punching Range (20% of training time)

Trapping Range (20% of training time)

Ground Fighting Range (20% of training time)

            Note: Training should also include multiple attackers training.

4.      Finish with cool down and a warrior history lesson

MCQC students should also be required to supplement their training time with martial arts/combat arts training books/manuals, videos, sparring (with various people) and shooting (range time with pistol, shotgun and rifle). 

The typical MCQC program should be structured in 40 hour block sessions per level with a practical test (which includes instructing a portion of the class) and a verbal test at each level:

Phase I – 40 hours of instruction minimum

Phase II – 80 hours of instruction minimum

Phase III – 120 hours of instruction minimum

Phase IV – 160 hours of instruction minimum

Phase V – 200 hours of instruction minimum

Phase VI – 240 hours of instruction minimum

Phase VII – 280 hours of instruction minimum

Phase VIII – 320 hours of instruction minimum

Phase IX – 360 hours of instruction minimum

Phase X – 400 hours of instruction minimum

An MCQC practitioner should be proficient with edge weapons, boxing, kickboxing, biting, clinching, and avoid spending too much time on the ground since the goal is to fight multiple attackers.  A proficient MCQC student understands the benefits of using his/her boots, shins, knees, elbows, fists, teeth and brain in chaos.  They understand “distance” is their friend when against multiple attackers.  They also understand that nothing replaces sparring in training. The MCQC student knows that conditioning plays a major role.

What is the difference between MCQC and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)?

MMA based on UFC rules consist of rounds with rest periods in between rounds.   In a typical match you will see no biting, kneeing the head (while one or more persons is on the ground).  You will not see hair pulling, eye gouging, pissing, spitting or vomiting on your opponent.  You will not see “fish-hooking” the mouth, sticking your thumb or fingers inside their ear drum.  You will not see groin strikes, finger or toes breaks and you will not see weapons.  You will not see asphalt, cement, gravel or sand for the flooring.  In MMA you will not see the fighters wearing steel toe boots or armor plated vest.  You will not see multiple-attackers ganging up on one individual and the list goes on (but you get the idea).  MMA tries to make the fights evening matched with weight classes but in MCQC there are no weight classes or coaches shouting out what move you should execute next.  MCQC prepares the student to defend against weapons, multiple attackers and total war.  MCQC teaches how to receive and embrace chaos and create the chaos. 

In the past, every true battle-ready-warrior was trained in MCQC.  In total war (TW) conflicts, where the term prisoner-of-war (POW) and surrender does not exist and there was only victory or death.  Complete annihilation is defined as the goal of true success.  In true war, chaos is at home and there is no paradigm of rules.  The Taliban doesn’t care about the rules of engagement (ROA) and they will attempt to kill you at every opportunity and sadly you will die if you are not fully prepared.   

MCQC training consists of edge weapon training, hand-to-hand fighting skills and improvised and exotic weapons.  What do you do when you find yourself surrounded by the enemy, knowing that you cannot surrender; running is not an option and there is nowhere to cover for protection?  The only answer which would improve your chances of living are to arm yourself with anything you can find around you, then you eliminate the threat as quickly as you can.  There is no talking or flashy dancing prior to the battle; you just execute common fighting judgment.  Sometimes this means killing as many as you can, if no other reasonable choice is left. 

History gives us many examples of great close-quarters-combat warriors.  Samson killed over a thousand Philistines over his lifetime.  Once he used a jawbone of an ass (donkey) to kill a thousand men in one day.  This is what I’m talking about--real warriors.   With the jawbone of an ass he made an ass of the Philistines. Eventually every Philistine was killed and their culture vanished. MCQC training of the past included fighting wild animals to test their skills including fighting alligators, wolves, serpents, lions, tigers and bear, oh my!  At times slaves were captured just to pit against warriors-in-training.  From MCQC came our traditional martial arts and from our traditional martial arts comes the new age of MCQC.  We have come full circle.  [Martial] Art imitates life and life imitates [martial] art.  

I’ve done several joint trainings with all branches of the USA military and NATO bases in 5 different countries/territories (Guam, Italy, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan) and the program attracts those few willing to forgo some sleep and relaxing time to better their combat skills.  Battles fought primarily using MCQC of the past have been replaced with weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  Sling shots have been replaced with air strikes.  Guerilla warfare has been replaced with high technology robots and body heat sensors.  The sword has been supplemented with M-4s and AK-47 rifles.  The spear is replaced with tanks.  The knife and tomahawk still have found a place in modern warfare but not to the extent of the past.  IEDs are the fear of the modern fighter. Shields have been replaced with Lizard Skin brand body armor and other modern forms of personal protection equipment (PPE).  Yet, despite this, rebel forces, terrorist cells and other killing clans of fighters learned from the Afghanistan-Soviet war and the Vietnam War that if you spread out small attacks over several areas and over several years you bring fear into the heart of the locals and gain the media’s attention which can influence a nation to leave that country.  Many of these attacks end up being in close quarters combat range.

War has turned political.  War trophies are restricted and the media turns heroes into baby-killers.  The liberal media has demonized war and its heroes and has striped the honor in teaching our young men and women how to kill well in close quarters combat.  Much of the USA media has brought on the image of guilt and shame if you kill anyone for self preservation.  Yet, the same media has double standards when it comes to the infant in the womb and teaching our children to murder with the influence of violent television and video games. 

MCQC has faded but it is still around.  However, more MCQC is taught in third world countries than in the super powers of the military.  This month there was an attack on some local village folks in Chamkani, Afghanistan where two men were attacked with a tomahawk wielding Taliban.  When the Special Forces medic saw them, the tomahawk was still lodged in the Afghan’s upper back.  Places like Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Somalia, Bosnia, Vietnam, Africa, and the Archipelago Island (to name just a few) have thousands of stories of knives, machete and sword attacks in close quarters combat in our modern history.  So to say edge weapons training in MCQC is outdated--is false!—dead false.  If you talk with veterans that have seen combat, many will have one or two stories about MCQC in the battlefield.  In World War I and World War II, many accounts of MCQC are recorded in several books and interviews.  MCQC techniques are found in training manuals from each war period.  I have a few of these training manuals from the Marines and Army.  One is specifically about making traps and another is about making small bombs.  These manuals cover kickboxing and weapons training on many pages.   Several military training manuals take their concepts from Judo, kickboxing, boxing and several other Asian martial arts.

I, personally teach MCQC with my influences from Military training, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Kenjutsu, Apache Knife Fighting & Battle Tactics, Shooto and my Jeet Kune Do Concepts background. 

Here’s what a few others have said about MCQC:

"Snake, in all these years, you are the first person I've ever met that knew how to throw a knife." - Justin "Thunder-boy" Morris, Vietnam Vet./Hamburger Hills Hero/Native Indian Knife Fighter -  Farmington, New Mexico 2007

"The MCQC is great because we are learning a great deal about martial arts in general and more specifically from Jeet Kune Do. The knife classes come from several sources including the Apache Knife Fighting Course and Balisong Knife Fighting. The kickboxing is a very tough workout. It's GREAT for cardio. But to describe MCQC as coming from a particular martial art would be incorrect. The discipline incorporates components from a multitude of martial arts and focuses not on a particular one, but rather on the principals of Guerilla Style Multi-Attacker Hand-to-Hand Fighting." - SGT Zachary Bradley, Combat Medic, 98th Cavalry PSD, Iraq April 2005

"I appreciated the teaching and sacrificed time from my Instructor, Snake Blocker." - SPC Shirley Carter, U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division, Iraq Jan 2006

"MCQC [Military Close Quarters Combat] I found that it is very practical and interesting.” - SGT Francisco C. U.S. Army G Company 204th Forward Support Company (FSC), Iraq Jan 2006

"I like the speed we learn and perform each move and combination. My Instructor, Snake Blocker is a great teacher." - SPC Robert Esselman, U.S. Army B Company Support Training Battalion, Iraq Jan 2006

"The best part of my day is spent learning to finish the fight.  How cool is that? MCQC gets you sweating while learning valuable techniques for all ranges of combat." - 2LT Sarah Burlee, 3-101st Task Force Rakkasan DDOC, Afghanistan, March 2010

"Thanks for the great service you [Snake Blocker] provide as a Military Close Quarters Combat instructor.  The new skills and knowledge gained put those who are unfamiliar with Close Quarters Combat at a whole new level.  Take me for example; I knew some stand up fighting, but I did not know anything about real ground fighting.  After taking your classes, I have obtained skillful knowledge to defend myself at all aspects of a typical fight.  Thanks again.  Aloha." - MSgt Kerwin Canionero, 577th EPBS, Afghanistan, February 2010

"I want to thank you [Snake Blocker] for your professional and valuable MCQC and Muay Thai instruction while on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. You not only taught me the importance of fundamentals of various martial arts, you taught me followership, leadership, the discipline to keep improving my skills, and to keep my head in the fight to survive. My job is to not let the bad guys win! Thanks again for everything Snake.
Aloha," - Cyrus Kam, FBI, Guam, March 2010

"This MCQC class was monumental for me.  It adjusted my mind to be in a more ready combative state.  It gave me a better appreciation for the art of combat.  Snake Blocker was phenomenal!  He was very articulate and knowledgeable!  He'd answer my questions before I'd even ask him.   I have great respect for combat and a much better understanding thanks to MCQC and Snake Blocker." - SSgt Jeron S. Hampton, USAF, Afghanistan, April 2010

MCMAP – “One mind – Any Weapon”

In 2002, the Marine Corps, under the Department of the Navy, incorporated the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) to prepare the Marines for Military Close Quarters Combat (MCQC).  The Marines define MCMAP as “a revolutionary step in the development of martial arts skills for Marines and replaces all other close-combat related systems preceding its introduction” (ref: MCO 1550.54).  Prior to MCMAP as we know it today, the Marines called it Linear In-fighting Neural Override Engagement (LINE).  The Marines didn’t like the long name and wanted more variety of techniques so they called it simply Close-Combat which was taught in blocks of instruction on various specific topics.  MCMAP incorporates stand up fighting: striking/boxing and kickboxing (Muay Thai) techniques (most important), bayonet/knife fighting, firearm retention & disarming, joint manipulations, stick fighting, chokes and ground fighting.  MCMAP also teaches Warrior Studies & Martial Studies.  This includes military heroes and other great military figures and warrior cultures including the Apaches, the Zulus, the Spartans, the Samurai, the Romans and others.  The new MCMAP program also teaches leadership, character, discipline and balance. 

The ranking system for MCMAP is:

Tan Belt

Requires 27.5 hours of training.

Gray Belt

Requires 39 hours of training.

Green Belt (1^st Level Instructor Qualified)

Requires 44 hours of training and attend Professional Military Education (PME) training.

Brown Belt (2^nd Level Instructor Qualified)

Requires 56.5 hours of training along with current or recommended rank of Corporal or higher rank.

Black Belt (3^rd Level Instructor Qualified or Instructor Trainer Qualified)

Requires 62.5 of training

The 82^nd Airborne Division started the Modern Army Combatives (MAC) program which currently consists of 4 levels.  I’ve taken the first two levels which consist of a lot of Jiu Jitsu and Vale Tudo (striking and wrestling).  If you want a good workout and work on your wrestling then you won’t be disappointed.  Levels 3 and 4 focuses more on stand-up-fighting (Muay Thai, Boxing and Judo throws) and some stick and knife training basics, so students can have a good foundation.  Military Police, Security Force and Master at Arms would gain benefit from the Jiu Jitsu since they may have to wrestle a non compliant person to hand cuff them.  Most of the MAC evolved from Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and most of the instructors are very good at Sport Jiu Jitsu.  I was at Bagram Airfield for a year and it was run by the 82^nd Airborne command at that time.  The MAC instructors wanted to host a sparring competition but were turned down because the command didn’t want injuries.  Reality check! We should be bruising in training so we don’t die in battle.  Part of training involves risk of injuring which means sparring and competitions are needed in order to improve as a fighter. 

Some instructors are out of the military and teach similar programs under various names to police, military and civilians.  From 1998 to present, I studied with one such man.  His name is W. Hoch Hochheim and his program is labeled Close Quarters Combat Group (CQCG).  He holds 5 black belts, former Military Police, former retired Texas detective (with well over 1,000 arrests) and he has taught to all branches of the military and hundreds of law enforcement agencies.  I’m a full instructor under Mr. Hochheim.  There are also several groups that teach Sambo and Krav Magra to the civilians and law enforcement community.  Jeet Kune Do concepts (Bruce Lee’s Martial Art) is very similar to MCQC, although it usually doesn’t cover as much pistol and rifle training as MCQC does.  Many of troops go to local martial arts schools in addition to their military training which make them better prepared for the war zone.  I recommend this to every sailor, Marine, soldier and airman.        

As an instructor, I’ve been warned several times by commands about the knife fighting and Muay Thai portion of my MCQC classes.  Some commands had concerns about people being injured so I had to present my case, as to the safety precautions that I take and the benefit outweighing the risks.  So far each time, I was successful in offering the training to our troops. 

I did MCQC at two Special Forces (SF) camps in Afghanistan and one had a boxing ring set up in their room.  We trained hard every day and always walked away with a few bruises but the skill level of everyone improved weekly. I always enjoy working with the SF guys because they give a higher level of effort in their training, plus the testosterone and ego offer a very competitive environment.  

Some students have God-given talents and are physically in great shape and those students excel quickly in the physical sparring portion.  Some students are very intellectual and understand the history of why we fight; they understand the science of the movements and they can articulate the breakdown of each move but may not fare as well in the sparring.  Some students shoot “Expert” at the range but still may freeze up in a gun fight versus a basic “Marksman” shooter may be better mentally prepared to react in a gun fight and fare much better than the expert.  A larger student may do better when they are on top of someone since their strength and weight can be very advantageous to them.  A smaller framed person may do extremely well with being quick and agile while in the stand-up portion of the training.  Student may do well in one of the four ranges of combat and others may excel in more than one area but the more a student attends MCQC classes, the better they will be at balancing their skills. They will also be a better rounded fighter for close quarters combat.  The odds of survival increase with more training time. 

I’m currently teaching a security team of Gurkas in Kabul, Afghanistan on MCQC and I still continue my training at various bases when available.  I’m currently in the Navy reserves and I work for a high end security company offering security protection for Department of Defense (DOD) contracts in Afghanistan.  I’ve received much military recognitions for my services teaching MCQC; and the United States Muay Thai Association (USMTA) honored me with their prestigious Honor Award Badge & Certificate this year. 

Here are a few books that instructor’s recommend their student’s read.

MCQC recommended books (my favorites):

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society - Paperback (June 22, 2009) by Dave Grossman

On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace - Paperback (Oct. 1, 2008) by Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen

About Face: The Odyssey of an American Warrior by Colonel David H. Hackworth and Julie Sherman (Paperback - Apr. 15, 1990)

Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae - Paperback (Feb. 3, 2000) by Steven Pressfield

The Light Gray People: An Ethno-History of the Lipan Apaches of Texas and Northern Mexico by Nancy McGown Minor (Paperback - Dec. 16, 2009)

Congress of American Knife Fighter – Knife Fighting Encyclopedia Volume 1 – Paperback (Jan. 1997) by W. Hock Hochheim

Congress of American Knife Fighter – Military Knife Combat Volume 2 – Paperback (2000) by W. Hock Hochheim

Knife/Counter Knife Combatives – Paperback (2009/2010) by W. Hock Hochheim

I have personally taught MCQC at the following locations to hundreds of troops and various units with the approval of the Commanding Officers and/or NCOIC:

MCQC Training Locations:

1. US Navy Base, San Diego, California (2001-2003)
2. Blocker Academy of Martial Arts, Los Angeles, California & Denver, Colorado (1995-2010)
3. Navy and Marine Reserve Center, Terminal Island, California (2001-2009)
4. Camp Spearhead, Port of Ash Shuaibah, Kuwait (2004)
5. Camp Echo, Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq (2005)
6. FOB Duke (Forward Operating Base), An Najaf, Iraq (2005-2006)
7. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York (2003)

8. U.S. Navy Base Italy (2004)

9. U.S. Navy Base Guam (2006)

10. Kadina Air Force Base, Okinawa (2007)
11. U.S. Navy Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (2006)
12. Camp Pride ULTRA-C (Training Camp), Williamsburg, Virginia (2008)

13. Fort Dix, New Jersey (2009)

14. Bagram Airfield, Bagram, Afghanistan (2009-2010)

15. Camp Eggers & FHI Compound, Kabul, Afghanistan (2010)

I was also recognized for teaching MCQC training from the following units:

Department of the Army Certificate of Training - "Received for teaching 150 hours of intense Military Close Quarter Combat (MCQC) training. This training included counter-terrorist tactics against close quarter pistol, rifle, stick, knife, and empty hand. This training was taught at Camp Spearhead, Ash Shuaibah Port, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom."
Received from Clark M. Summers (US Army), LTC, TC Commander Camp Spearhead, Port of Ash Shuaibah, Kuwait – 11 MAY 2004

385th Transportation Battalion Command Coin Award - Received for teaching Military Close Quarter Combat (MCQC) classes, assisting with the MWR tent, volunteering for TCN watches, and volunteering for extra assignments.
Received from Clark M. Summers (US Army), LTC, TC Commander Camp Spearhead, Port of Ash Shuaibah, Kuwait – 16 AUG 2004

Certificate of Commendation - "In recognition of going above and beyond the call of duty to assist troops in morale, welfare and recreation activities at Camp Duke, Iraq during timeframe March 2005 - January 2006. Received for leadership and unselfish willingness to teach Martial Arts [MCQC] classes which increased morale of troops and civilians serving at Camp Duke."
Received from Mr. Robert Vinson, Camp Manager and Michael Thomas, MWR Acting Supervisor Forward Operating Base Duke, Najaf, Iraq 17 JAN 2006

Certificate of Achievement - “For volunteering your time and efforts to instruct Level 1 Combatives Training and CPR to the 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Your Actions greatly contributed to the combat effectiveness of this unit and our soldiers. These actions reflect great credit on you, your unit, and the United States Navy.”
Received from Wade L. Myers, CSM, USA - Command Sergeant Major
Received from Leo F. Caballero, LTC, AR  Commanding, Fort Carson, Colorado 28 NOV 2007

Command Coin for Excellence - Received for teaching CPR, AED, First Aid, and Military Close Quarter Combat (MCQC) to the 4th Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion.
Received from Leo F. Caballero, LTC, AR Commanding, 4th ID Special Troops Battalion Commander, Fort Carson, Colorado 07JUN 2007

Command Coin for Excellence - Received for instructing Military Close Quarter Combat (MCQC) to the 4th Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion.
Received from Wade L. Myers, CSM, USA, Command Sergeant Major, 4th ID Special Troops Battalion Sgt Major, Fort Carson, Colorado 07 JUN 2007

2/198th AR BN Pin (not an award)
Received for teaching Military Close Quarter Combat (MCQC) to the 2/198th AR BN members.
Received from 2/198th AR BN member (as a "Thank You") Forward Operating Base Duke, An Najaf, Iraq – APR 2005

Letter of Appreciation - "Received for volunteering technical expertise and contributing greatly to the command's goals of increasing battalion training readiness and continuing professional development. Volunteered as a classroom presenter during eight days of around-the-clock GMT, ITP, and BMR training for 87 students. Officially commended for initiative and extreme professionalism in support of Navy Expeditionary Logistic Support Force Forward Alpha (NAVELSF). NAVELSF Forward Alpha Group deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II with limited resources to provide a professional training program. To fill the training gap for the sailors deployed to Port of Ash Shuaibah, Kuwait, you willingly volunteered your technical expertise, which was commendable. Your efforts contributed greatly to the command's goals of increasing battalion training readiness and continuing professional development. You are officially commended for your initiative and professionalism. Thank you for a job well done."
Received from R.P. English, Captain (now Admiral), Supply Corps, USNR Camp Spearhead, Port of Ash Shuaibah, Kuwait – 21 JUN 2004

Command Coin for Excellence - Received from General Porter for service to the troops and MCQC training in Afghanistan. – Bagram Airfield, Afhganistan - 2009

Snake Blocker was featured in Army Times and Navy Times 04 May 2009 issue and he has been interviewed on American Freedom Radio (AFN) (in Afghanistan), and filmed training troops on MCQC on Combat Camera (in Iraq) and AFN Network (in Afghanistan) regarding his MCQC training of the troops. 

Snake has also been awarded the following military metals/ribbons for his service since 2001 in the military:

Ribbons/Medals Received:

1.      Army Commendation Medal

2.      Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (twice)

3.      Naval Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon (twice)

4.      Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal (twice)

5.      National Defense Service Medal

6.      Afghanistan Campaign Medal

7.      Iraq Campaign Medal

8.      Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

9.      Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

10.  Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

11.  Navy and Marine Overseas Service Ribbon

12.  Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” (Mobilization) Device (twice)

13.  NATO ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Afghanistan Medal

14.  Navy Rifle Qualification Expert Medal (twice)

15.  Navy Pistol Qualification Expert Medal (twice)