Airmen seek training from Gracie Legend Published Sept. 27, 2012 By Kiley Swopes Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airmen from the 5th Security Forces Squadron developed another skill set after a two-day, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu basic survival training seminar here, Sept. 14 to 15. Ryron Gracie, fourth degree Black Belt and grandson of the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Grand Master Helio Gracie, visited Minot Air Force Base with the intention of providing security forces personnel the confidence and knowledge to use Jiu-Jitsu in their line of work. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu focuses primarily on defense tactics, unlike other arts which are more focused on offense. "It's possible to not attack someone and just destroy them," Gracie said. "At first you have to survive, whether that is for 30 seconds or 3 minutes. Jiu-Jitsu is designed to keep you alive and help you survive. Once you survive then you can get away or attack after, depending on the situation." After watching his family support the military his whole life, Gracie continues on in his Grandfather's and Father's footsteps, teaching military personnel the art of Jiu-Jitsu. "The military does so much for our country and for me," Gracie said. "I am part of this country, so why not give back to them." Gracie was invited to Minot AFB by Capt. Tyrone Bess, 5th Security Forces Squadron operations and training officer. Bess is a Certified Gracie Instructor and became involved with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu four years ago when he came across the Gracie University Web site while in the Middle East. Bess arranged for a one-on-one training session with Gracie to help equip Airmen with the proper defense skills if weapons are not readily available during an encounter. "The majority of security forces want to rely on weapons, whether it's your gun, ASP, or Taser," Bess said. "But in some situations that you would normally use those, they aren't necessarily available." "To have other toolsets to successfully defend the base is what we are trying to do," he added. The Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques are designed for anyone to learn. Techniques are based on natural body movements, leverage and timing; making learning easy for anyone. Gracie identifies two ways to practice Jiu-Jitsu, either aggressively or by keeping it playful. "By keeping it playful you can create a flow which will help sharpen reflexes and is much safer," Gracie said. "Keeping it playful allows everyone, even if you're 50 or 60 years old, to get the benefits of martial arts for a longer period of time." Despite an individual's job duty, understanding Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is valuable and can provide confidence in everyday life. "I hope the Airmen learn that if they get in a fight tomorrow, the person who manages the distance manages the fight," Gracie said. "So if you do get in a fight, the last thing you want to do is exchange punches, because you're at risk of being harmed." Gracie Jiu-Jitsu focuses on teaching how to close the space, survive and walk away safely from a fight in order to be in control of the situation. Security forces are often involved close-quarter situations, where a person can choose to become aggressive. Sometimes utilizing a weapon may not be an option. "They now have another toolset in their bag for a hand-to-hand, close-quarters combat scenario," Bess said. "Where they can effectively separate themselves from the person and engage their weapon or get to a safe spot to control the situation."