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| News > Reservist trains fellow Airmen in the art of self defense |
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Senior Airman Dillon Pinkham (center), 914th Logistics Readiness Squadron, instructs Airman Rahman Ahmad (left) and Chief Master Sgt. Clinton Ronan, both 914 LRS, in defensive techniques at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. Pinkham holds a second degree black belt in Judo and volunteers his time to instruct his fellow Airmen in the art of self defense. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Charity Edwards)
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Niagara Reservist pioneers self-defense course for Airmen
Posted 6/23/2012 Updated 6/25/2012
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by Master Sgt. Kevin Nichols
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
6/23/2012 - NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- For one Air Force Reservist, a passion for martial arts has led him on a mission to teach his fellow Airmen self defense.
Senior Airman Dillon Pinkham, 914th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance, holds a 2nd degree black belt in Judo and enjoys teaching self defense classes to men, women and children in Lockport, N.Y. during his down time.
"I teach specifically to women, but my specialty is children," said Pinkham. "In Judo; size or gender doesn't matter. You're not defending yourself against strength or power, but against movement."
With Judo in mind, Pinkham began to wonder how the Air Force's drill movements could work to teach Airmen self defense.
"It's all about motion," said Pinkham. "If I wanted to tackle you, most people would stand and take it. Why not do what we in the Air Force call an about-face. Just move and let that motion go by you. That's the principle of it. Judo is a passive sport. You don't have to hurt someone to defend yourself."
Pinkham realized that while most branches of the military offer some type of self defense training, the Air Force does not.
"At Air Force basic training they've started dabbling, but striking instead of self defense. Close arms combat instead of 'hey, I don't want you to touch or grab me,' " Pinkham explained. "That's essentially what I teach. If somebody grabs you in a way that you don't like, you can remove yourself from that situation without instigating."
Without an established Air Force self defense program, Senior Airman Pinkham approached Maj. Brande Newsome, 914th Airlift Wing Sexual Assault and Response Coordinator, back in March about offering a free class at Niagara.
The timing was good as Pinkham was invited to attend a base SARC program meeting as the wing prepared for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.
The first class was a success and two more classes were conducted, one in May and another in June. To date, nearly 20 people have been instructed.
Although these self defense classes have been considered one time lessons, Pinkham and Newsome are busy designing a program that lets each class build on the next.
"The hope is to one day have a large set group of students to build from the foundation on up," said Newsome.
For the future, Pinkham has his sights set on promoting the art of self defense to the rest of the Air Force.
"I would like to go out to several different Air Force bases and promote it," said Pinkham. "There's no actual Air Force self defense program and I'd like to kind of pioneer that."
Niagara organizers are attempting to make it easy for those thinking about attending, but concerned about an already busy schedule.
"I would encourage people to take the time to attend," said Newsome. "We hold the classes in the Community Activities Center to try and co-locate in a convenient location where people are already assembled to eat."
There is no cost for this program and the next class is scheduled for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
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