What Can We Learn From What Has Already Been Done?

Home
>
Martial Arts
>
What Can We Learn From What Has Already Been Done?

What Can We Learn From What Has Already Been Done?

Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we see now.

The Japanese in particular, being on a global war footing, practiced a type of Judo that has little in common with the "sport" of today.

Japanese "bujin" particularly those situated in China during this period had to be the BEST they could be. The Japanese police were renowned for having among their ranks many of the top Judoka.

The Japanese presence in Shanghai insured that the quality of Judoka practicing there was of the highest caliber. Shanghai during this period was a volatile, beguiling and dangerous place.

Into this mix comes a young Irishman named Dermot Michael O'Neil. He joins the SMP in 1925 at age twenty. He rises in rank, secures a respected position on the SMP Riot Squad, is recognized as a protégé' of W.E. Fairbairn and earns a reputation as a "good" man in a dust up. Besides his recruit training and his assignment under WEF on the Riot Squad, he becomes a dedicated devotee of Japanese and Chinese combatives, especially Kodokan Judo.

He becomes an acknowledged expert, a true expert, proven both on the tatami of various "dojo" and on the streets of Shanghai. He trains under some of the BEST native Japanese sensei available. He travels to mainland Japan testing his skill in shiai and randori, often winning against some of Japan's best. He trains diligently at the Kodokan. Becomes a protégé' of the famed Uchijima Sensei, a master of Judo, in particular "newaza" or ground grappling. He gains a working practical knowledge of Judo, Jujutsu, Karate, Chinese Boxing and who knows what else. In 1938 he leaves the SMP after 13 years service and heads up the security detachment for the British Legation in Tokyo. He serves in this position for two years. Living and training in Japan, access to the BEST of his time (and ours too probably)!

FAST FORWARD...

The world is at war. The Allied powers against the Axis of Evil. O'Neil is now in the US, seconded to the OSS, working under WEF. A new "commando" unit is being formed headed by a man named Fredericks. This composite group of assault raiders matches US and Canadian forces under the banner of the FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE. They will become LEGEND!

Then Colonel Fredericks contacts General Donovan of the OSS and requests WEF's services in training these troops. Fairbairn recommends D.M. "Paddy" O'Neil. O'Neil accepts and goes a step further......He just doesn't "train" these men, HE JOINS THEM!

O'Neill gave great thought to the needs of these special troops as it related to close quarters combat. He was instrumental in developing the V-42 Fighting Knife. But it was the "system" of close combat he devised that was his genius!

The entire O'Neill system as taught then is little known today. But suffice to say that this method was a blend of tactics, strategy and physical combatives that was astounding, and PROVED EFFECTIVE in REAL COMBAT countless times.

Now this isn't about the nuts and bolts of the O'Neil method. The point is this: With ALL of O'Neill's experience and expertise the method he devised for all intents and purposes was devoid of any Judo or grappling like techniques (and remember the Forces initial contact with the enemy was to be the Japanese). JUDO WAS HIS FORTE. Why? Because he perfectly knew and understood what the mission of the 1st SSF was all about. He tailored the training to address needs as would be faced in REAL COMBAT by these troops!

O'Neill's logic and genius is evident in the complete method (not just dribs and drabs from various FM's and TM's). But more importantly what lessons are to be garnered from this? What can be learned? WHY did O'Neil chose the methods and tactics (more important than the technique) that he did?

Without a doubt O'Neil knew his business and knew it well. So why? That's the question. And what will the answer teach US, now?

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl's ranks and honors.
Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Georgia Sen. Chambliss wins re-election in runoff (AP)

AP - Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss handed the GOP a firewall against Democrats eager to flex their newfound political muscle in Washington, winning a bruising runoff battle Tuesday night that had captured the national limelight.

Rice arrives in India in wake of Mumbai attacks (AP)

AP - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday as part of a U.S. effort to ease tensions in the region after a three-day terrorist attack killed 171 people in India's financial capital.

Gates: Military looks to accelerate Iraq pullout (AP)

AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates signaled a willingness Tuesday to forge ahead with two key priorities for the incoming Obama administration: accelerating the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and shutting down the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Auditors fault Treasury oversight of bailout funds (AP)

AP - The government must toughen its monitoring of the $700 billion financial bailout to ensure that banking institutions limit their top executives' pay and comply with other restrictions, federal auditors said Tuesday in the first comprehensive review of the rescue package.

2 arrested in alleged torture of teen, who escaped (AP)

AP - A Girl Scout leader and her husband were arrested after an emaciated, terrified and nearly naked 17-year-old showed up at a gym with a chain locked to his ankle, saying he had just fled his captors, authorities said Tuesday.

Divorce rate increases in Marine Corps, Army (AP)

AP - The divorce rate among soldiers and Marines increased last year as military marriages suffered continuing stress from America's two ongoing wars. There were an estimated 10,200 failed marriages in the active duty Army and 3,077 among Marines, according to figures obtained by The Associated Press for the budget year ended Sept. 30.

Newly released Nixon-era memo shows aides dishing dirt on critics (AP)

AP - In Richard Nixon's time, all the president's men fretted about threats on every front: disquiet out on the streets, disloyalty inside the administration and trouble from political opponents who had to be discredited at any cost.

Study flunks 49 states in college affordability (AP)

AP - An independent report on American higher education flunks all but one state when it comes to affordability Â— an embarrassing verdict that is unlikely to improve as the economy contracts.

American folk music legend Odetta dies at 77 (AP)

AP - Odetta, the folk singer with the powerful voice who moved audiences and influenced fellow musicians for a half-century, has died. She was 77.

Murphy's tip in lifts Pacers over Lakers, 118-117 (AP)

AP - Danny Granger scored 32 points and led Indiana back from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit, and Troy Murphy tipped in a missed shot at the buzzer to complete an improbable 118-117 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

Rice arrives in India to ease tension with Pakistan (Reuters)

Reuters - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday as part of urgent U.S. efforts to ease tension between India and Pakistan that has surged over the Mumbai attacks.

South Korea steps up crisis fight (Reuters)

Reuters - South Korea moved on Wednesday to help local banks through a cash crunch gripping the global financial system as central banks around the world were expected to cut interest rates again to support their fast flagging economies.

Automakers' desperate bailout plea gaining support (Reuters)

Reuters - A top lawmaker predicted Washington would approve a bailout for U.S. automakers after they submitted survival plans, and General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC said they needed an immediate infusion of cash to avoid failures.

Obama wrapping up cabinet picks with Richardson (Reuters)

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama moved swiftly toward wrapping up his cabinet appointments on Wednesday with the selection of rival-turned-supporter Bill Richardson as secretary of commerce.

Republicans win crucial Georgia Senate seat (Reuters)

Reuters - Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss easily won a run-off election in Georgia on Tuesday, denying Democrats the chance for a 60-seat "super majority" in the Senate that would have enabled them to pass legislation virtually at will.

Pentagon chief Gates backs Obama Iraq policy (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who will stay on under Barack Obama, said on Tuesday he supported the president-elect's Iraq policy but declined to back his proposed timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Oil rises more than $1 (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil rose toward $48 a barrel on Wednesday, recovering from a tumble of more than $100 off July peaks, but the upside could be limited, with further signs of weakening oil demand expected in upcoming weekly U.S. oil data.

Clinton for a Clinton? Senate guessing game begins (Reuters)

Reuters - New York Gov. David Paterson has famous names to choose from in picking a replacement for Sen. Hillary Clinton, including a Kennedy, a Cuomo and even another Clinton, as in the former president of the United States.

Thai protesters abandon airports as flights due in (AFP)

AFP - Hundreds of anti-government protesters packed up and left Bangkok's airports on Wednesday after a crippling siege, as authorities assured angry tourists that flights would resume within 24 hours.

Rice arrives in India after Mumbai attacks (AFP)

AFP - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in New Delhi Wednesday to try and ease India-Pakistan tensions over the Mumbai attacks, as US intelligence blamed a Pakistan-based militant group.

What Can We Learn From What Has Already Been Done?

Martial Arts Martial Arts