I’m NOT a Certified Civilian Krav Maga Instructor, I’ve been a Certified Krav Maga instructor for years, and I instruct select civilians in the military program.
Know the Difference
Military Krav Maga is the older sister of the civilian Krav Maga. The Israeli Krav Maga was formed by Imreich (Imi) Lichtenfeld, who was a boxer, wrestler, gymnast with great knowledge in Ju-Jitsu. Imi had to fight a lot in the street as a Jewish athlete during the rise of Nazism in Europe.
When he enlisted to the Palmach (Jewish fighting forces)as an Instructor Imi added his extensive knowledge of the method of combat that was learned at the time and was known as Kapap (Face to Face combat).
After the establishment of the State of Israel, Imi was drafted into the IDF, where he continued to develop and simplify the combat method, which was already known as “Krav Maga” to fit the needs of the IDF (late 1950’s).
Upon his discharge from the IDF, he began to adapt the military system to the needs of the civilian population, and the method began to change. The training opened and closed with oriental style bowling and the material studied began to include “spectacular” techniques, some of which were adopted from martial arts from the Far East.
Along with the development of the civilian system, the military Krav Maga system continued to develop.
The first generation of Imi’s students continued to teach his method in the army and outside of it, so that there was a constant correlation between what was taught in the army and what was taught in civics.
Over the years, the gap between the civilian Krav Maga and the military Krav Maga has increased.
Military Krav Maga operates on several levels:
- Building warrior features.
- Operational behavior in contact with a potential adversary.
- Provide basic tools for fighting with empty hands.
- Provide tools for close range combat with cold weapons.
Avoid, De-Escalate, Prevent. Fight as a Last Resort.
The uniqueness of the military Krav Maga method lies in its precise methodology and purposefulness. The understanding that an event in which there is a “Krav Maga” component is a difficult event in which, often, but not always, the first fighting circles (a fighter is required to fight with his weapon from distance if possible) have placed an emphasis on the aspect of preventive behavior (some of the components of operational behavior).
