CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was started in 2002, and is built on a long history of martial arts war-fighting techniques. COVID-19 restrictions forced many changes, and in some cases, completely halted the hand-to-hand combat training.

What You Need To Know

Martial arts training simulates hand-to-hand combat and overcoming fog of war

COVID-19 forced changes since much of the learning requires close contact and grappling

Marines train in martial arts to improve their belt classification

Sergeant Wadu Loper has been on active duty in the Marine Corps for six years. He's now one of the Corps' martial arts instructors, teaching Marines how to fight in hand-to-hand combat. It is one of the things he is very passionate about for multiple reasons.

“It creates that mental, physical and moral resiliency within the individual Marine. As you can see if you turn around, how they're looking right now, it's building them up. It's day one, and look at them,” Loper said.

This is Loper's first class in more than a month.

“COVID-19 really did mess everything up and it did put a setback to it, but I mean, we're taught to keep pushing so once it got opened up, once COVID-19 settled down, we were able to push it 110%,” Loper said.

Failure, success and teamwork get the Marines to reach that 110%, but Loper also takes the time to teach his marines about the mental side of battle.

“It's up to the Marine right there behind you, right there, me, myself to push you past that,” Loper said.

He will continue to work with his Marines as they train to earn the next level of Marine Corps martial arts belt and advancement within their individual careers.