Sgt. William Rivera takes down Cpl. Cole Wyrick during a demonstration Oct. 1, 2014, of a self defense class Marines from the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team put together for Naval Support Activity Bahrain's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
Sgt. William Rivera takes down Cpl. Cole Wyrick during a demonstration Oct. 1, 2014, of a self defense class Marines from the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team put together for Naval Support Activity Bahrain's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. Marines from the Bahrain based Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team teach sailors on Naval Support Activity Bahrain self-defense techniques meant as a last resort to prevent a sexual assault, Nov. 20, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
Petty Officer 1st Class Kalindi West attempts to break away from Sgt. William Rivera using a self-defense technique she just learned at a new self-defense class at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Dec 5, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. Marines from the Bahrain-based Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team teach sailors at Naval Support Activity Bahrain self-defense techniques meant as a last resort to prevent a sexual assault, Dec. 5, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. Marines from the Bahrain-based Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team teach sailors self-defense techniques meant as a last resort to prevent a sexual assault, Nov. 20, 2014. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
Petty Officer 2nd Class Keyrstyn Wilson practices a self-defense technique on Lt. Tony Wolfe during a pilot run, Nov. 20, 2014, of a new self-defense class at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
Sgt. William Rivera ensures Petty Officer 2nd Class Keyrstyn Wilson is throwing her punches correctly during a pilot run, Nov. 20, 2014, of a new self-defense class at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
Sgt. William Rivera takes down Cpl. Cole Wyrick during a demonstration Oct. 1, 2014, of a self defense class Marines from the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team put together for Naval Support Activity Bahrain's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
Sgt. William Rivera, left, demonstrates a self defense technique by countering a simulated attack from Cpl. Cole Wyrick on Oct. 1, 2014. U.S. Marines from the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team based in Bahrain have designed a curriculum that teaches defensive techniques meant as a last resort to prevent a sexual assault. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
MANAMA, Bahrain — U.S. Marines from the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team based here have designed a curriculum that teaches defensive techniques as a last resort to prevent a sexual assault.
It’s the first time at Naval Support Activity Bahrain that a self-defense course has been included as part of the installation’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program.
Lt. Tony Wolfe, one of the base victim advocates, said he has never seen a class like this in his 19-year Navy career. “That’s why I thought this was so great and wanted to get involved in this, because it has so much potential,” he said. He wants to see the self-defense course integrated into other SAPR training.
Officials have been developing the course since October, fine-tuning the curriculum and gauging basewide interest through demonstrations and pilot classes. The first official class was taught earlier this month.
“What I like about this is that it’s interactive,” said Katie Scarbrough, who oversees the 59 victims’ advocates on base.
The instructors, trained through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, teach more than basic self-defense maneuvers — like what to do when you’re put in a choke hold. They also teach techniques aimed specifically at preventing sexual assault. One involves fending off someone who is on top of you; another, how to break away from someone who has his or her legs wrapped around you.
“We want to empower people with another option if they are in a situation like that,” said James Mandley, the base coordinator for sexual-assault response.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Keyrstyn Wilson said she was going to tell everyone about the course. “Especially women, my size or smaller than me ... don’t really have an advantage over a guy.”
