LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Since November, Joel Jones, a lieutenant colonel and the 37th Mission Support Squadron commander, has been teaching free self defense classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Chaparral Fitness Center.
"It has turned out pretty well," Jones said. "Most of the students that I have are in technical school or students from the Defense Language Institute. We have some permanent party people, but they float in and out. I have six or seven regulars."
The self defense classes Jones teaches are based in combat Hapkido, Aikido and traditional Hapkido. The three main principles of the classes are: act in a circular motion, allow the techniques to flow like water, and use the weight and strength of your attacker against him or her.
"There is nothing in this self defense system that is inherently offensive," Jones said. "We will never teach someone how to attack someone. The legal liability factor says we only go as far as we need to stop the attack."
Jones first became enthralled with the techniques when he was stationed in Offut Air Force Base, Neb. He is currently trying to obtain his certification, and teaching classes is one of the requirements that must be met.
"Teaching allows me to parallel my training with helping people," Jones said. "I really believe this is an important thing for all folks to have. I think it's a vital thing for Airmen to know, whether it's for professional purposes or their own purposes."
Because Jones is not certified, he cannot administer belt tests, or teach kill moves.
"This is basic self defense," Jones said. "We go through breakaway techniques, all the way through joint locks, subduing techniques and escort techniques. More advanced students are learning knife and pistol defense."
There are favorite tactics students are eager to learn.
"People usually want to learn punch defenses because in the street, those are the most common things," Jones said. "But what they really get excited for are the joint locks and subduing techniques."
Jones usually spends the first hour of the course teaching a new technique, while the second hour gives students time to practice new techniques and review previous material.
"I tell students that this is a very practical self defense system that I am teaching. From the very first class, you are learning things that you can use right out of class that evening," Jones added. "Even if you aren't here every week, you are learning stuff that you can use."
Class participation has been sparse since the beginning of July. On Tuesday, Jones conducted a small one-on-one class. Danilo Sanchez, a DLI student from the Dominican Republic, is one of Jones's regulars.
He has been attending classes for the past six weeks.
According to Sanchez, defending yourself with a weapon in the Dominican Republic, can get you arrested.
"There are no consequences if I defend myself unarmed," Sanchez said. "I think these are important techniques to learn, especially being a member of the military. I plan to go home and teach my family what I learn. I appreciate Colonel Jones taking time away from his day and family to share his knowledge with us."