Shaolin in the military

[GeneChing]

There are more photos if you follow the link.

Shaolin kungfu star enlisted in the army
Updated: 2011-12-03 10:16
(chinadaily.com.cn)


An officer of the local department of people's armed forces helps Shi Xiaoguang, a Shaolin kungfu star, put on a red flower at a farewell party held for recruits of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China in Changge, Central China's Henan province, on Dec 2, 2011. Shi Xiaoguang stunned the world with his martial arts in 2006 when he performed a kungfu show for the then Russian president Vladimir Putin who visited Shaolin Temple in Henan province. At the invitation of Putin, Shi visited Kremlin Palace in 2007. As PLA started the yearly nationwide winter recruitment on Nov 1, 2011, Shi volunteered to join the army. [Photo/CFP]

This photo taken on March 22, 2006 shows the then Russian president Vladimir Putin carrying Shi Xiaoguang on his shoulder for a group photo when he visited Shaolin Temple in Henan province. [Photo/CFP]

[PalmStriker]

Very cool!

[Punch.HeadButt]

Wouldn't joining the army go against the "Decree of the Guardian"?

Or is that a noob question? I defer to the Shaolin experts here

[GeneChing]

As quoted from The Shaolin Grandmasters’ Text?

[Punch.HeadButt]

I done read it! So, how much have I been deceived? The book seemed...strange to me, but then again I really don't know anything. About anything. Ever.

[GeneChing]

...then chime in at the end, as you've read it too.

[Punch.HeadButt]

Ha I didn't click the link initially because I assumed it would link to a product page

But man, now I have homework. I'll check out the whole thread and input my $0.02 later, when I have the attention span.

[GeneChing]

Kungfu master-turned-soldier creates healthy exercises
2014-02-10 15:55 Ecns.cn Web Editor: Yao Lan


Feng Yang is performing martial arts for his comrades–in–arms at the camp. (Photo source: PLA Daily)

(ECNS) -- A disciple at Shaolin Temple in Henan province joined a frontier force in Xinjiang after studying martial arts for six years at the temple, the PLA Daily reported on Monday.

Feng Yang, an army corporal in Xinjiang who is proficient in all kinds of martial arts, has created body-building exercises for his fellow soldiers.

Feng has been studying Chinese kungfu since 2007 and is a gold medalist at the national Shaolin kungfu competition held in Dengfeng, Henan province, in 2011.

"My master at Shaolin Temple once told me that practicing martial arts is for serving our country, so I think joining the army is the best choice for me to show my loyalty," he said.

Dai Botao, leader of the border post, said, "Training at Shaolin Temple has made Feng Yang into a person with strong will, so he has been performing very well at the camp."

To help his comrades–in–arms improve their health, Feng has brought martial arts training into the military camp. He arranged an aerobics program featuring elements of Shaolin for them to practice.

Located in the deep mountain in Tianshan, the sentry post where Feng serves has witnessed many beasts, such as wolves. One corporal, Li Shuaishuai, has become more courageous after learning body-building exercises from Feng.

Last September, Feng created another set of body-building exercise for soldiers who work in a cold oil depot, which was welcomed by the soldiers.

I would enjoy seeing this program. After all, we could all become a little more courageous.

[LFJ]

Well, for sure, they never skip leg day, but that's the only day there is.

[GeneChing]

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade
Story by Capt. Beth Riordan
Corsair women build resiliency through self-defense


Capt. Greg Sink, chaplain, (standing) talks to women soldiers of 2nd Aviation Assault Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, about spiritual well-being as part of “protect your body and your soul” training at the 82nd Airborne Division Combatives and Advanced Tactics School, March 27. Women soldiers of the Corsair battalion learned self-defense techniques for the body and mind during the training.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The women of 2nd Aviation Assault Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade trained for self-defense during “protect your body and your soul” training at the 82nd Airborne Division Combatives and Advanced Tactics School, March 27.

The Corsair battalion chaplain’s assistant, Pvt. Steven Lee, introduced the group to Shaolin Kung Fu forms and applications of self-defense.

“The Kung Fu drills you learned today have been around for over 5,000 years,” Lee said. “Throughout the different dynasties, the Shaolin Temple was destroyed many times and yet the monks managed to come back and rebuild it every time. Kung Fu is worth preserving and we can learn a lot about resiliency from the Shaolin monks.”

Lee, a former member of the Shaolin Monks Performance Team and USA National Wushu Team, is a two-time World Legends of Kung Fu champion. His training served to equip and inspire the women to protect themselves, both physically and mentally.

Spc. Tara Maloy, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Company E, 2-82 ASLT, joined the training because she wanted to improve her ability to defend herself.

“I personally haven’t been in a real-life situation where I have had to ward off an attacker, but I think these skills are important to know and practice,” said Maloy.

The session addressed more than just bodily self-defense. Second Lt. Lindsay Keith, a military intelligence officer with 2-82 ASLT, found that the training strengthened her body and mind.

“Today’s training made me feel more confident in my abilities to protect myself physically and got me thinking about my inner-self, too,” said Keith. “I was expecting the physical part when I signed up, but now I can see how the two are closely related.”

Corsair Chaplain Capt. Greg Sink ended the session with a reminder of the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

“We learned how to protect our physical selves today, but sometimes I think it is more important do this in the spiritual realm,” Sink said. “We must protect our souls and the essence of who we are as individuals.”


Pvt. Steven Lee, left, 2-82 Aviation Assault Battalion, 82nd Aviation Brigade chaplain’s assistant, demonstrates proper from while conducting a warm-up as part of “protect your body and your soul” training at the 82nd Airborne Division Combatives and Advanced Tactics School, March 27. Women soldiers of the Corsair battalion learned self-defense techniques for the body and mind during the training. Lee is a former member of the Shaolin Monks Performance Team and U.S.A. National Wushu Team. He is a two-time World Legends of Kung Fu Champion.

I think Steven Lee is one of Shi Xingying's pupils.

[mawali]

Wouldn't joining the army go against the "Decree of the Guardian"?

Or is that a noob question? I defer to the Shaolin experts here

There were quite a few Army generals who had a Shaolin background after the end of the Qing and into the Nationalist era. I am not saying that they were Shaolin students but they studied there in their youth and incorporated that training into their respective units. After all, xingyiquan was the template that was standardized into a training programme for newly conscripted members of the new army.

[David Jamieson]

The republican era in China saw a lot of monks with guns.

that's Nationalism for you...

[GeneChing]

Paratroopers become a resilient force through Kung Fu
82nd Combat Aviation Brigade
Story by Capt. Adan Cazarez
Troopers, Unit Ministry Team, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade


Capt. Adan Cazarez
Staff Sgt. Kenneth Gaither, unit supply specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Aviation Assault Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, conducts a horse stance punch during a Shaolin Kung Fu session at Fort Bragg, N.C., Feb. 4, 2015.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Leaders throughout the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade are constantly training their Soldiers to be a more mentally and physically resilient force, whether it is through rigorous downed aircraft recovery team exercises, logging long hours of aircraft maintenance or the daily challenges of life that occur. The 2nd Aviation Assault Battalion, Unit Ministry Team came together on Fort Bragg, Feb. 4, to help facilitate troopers in team-building activities through Shaolin Kung Fu in a morning physical training session.

Pfc. Steven Lee, chaplain’s assistant, led the morning PT session, instructing the fundamental drills of Shaolin Kung Fu.

“Shaolin Kung Fu originated in China over 1,500 years ago,” said Lee. “It’s foundation is built through a series of repeated drills and exercises designed to conduction and mold the body to have power, speed, dexterity, stability, and flexibility.”

Lee is using his skills to help build a resilient force within his unit.
“The Shaolin Kung Fu traits allow us to find ways to build confidence and resiliency through a method that otherwise troopers wouldn’t know or knew they could do,” said Lee.

Lee, prior to joining the in Army 2013 practiced Shaolin Kung Fu in China at the age of eight. For the next six years, he built and perfected his skills in the Tagou Shaolin Martial Arts School in Henan, China. He then moved to Houston, Texas, and continued to practice his skills, leading him to become a member of the Shaolin Monks Performance Team and a two-time World Legends of Kung Fu Champion.

“Training in Shaloin Kung Fu has helped me throughout my life, but most importantly developed me personally in becoming a better Soldier,” said Lee.

The PT session started with Sholin Kung Fu stretches which are very different than normal Army PT warm-ups. The session involved the basic foundation drills of Sholin Kung Fu which Lee demonstrated, including the inside outside kicks, horse stance punch, bow punch, front sweep, and snap kick.

Pfc. Lawonda Martin, information technology specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, was one of the participants in the PT session.

“These drills were different types of exercise that we’re
accustomed to for PT,” said Martin. “At first the drills seem awkward, but as we continued I felt energized and gained confidence through the course of the session.”

The Soldiers built on each drill that pushed them to step outside their normal zone of physical conditioning, helping them to accomplish the session.

“I learned a lot in the short hour,” said Martin. “This would be something I would enjoy doing more often; it was a morale and confidence booster.”

Lee made reference to the famous quote of Sun Tzu encouraging his fellow Soldiers that, “Mastering others is strength, but mastering yourself makes you fearless.”

At the end of the PT session, the Soldiers bragged with each other about their newly learned Sholin Kung Fu moves.
Lee’s devotion to helping his fellow Soldiers as a chaplain’s assistant is no surprise.

“The mission of the UMT is to provide moral and spiritual support to Soldiers,” said Lee. “Hopefully, today our Soldiers learned new skills of Sholin Kung Fu in providing them a new a source of physical and spiritual support.”

It's ironic as the Chinese Military cut back its Kung Fu program last year.

[GeneChing]

Feature: Chinese Kung Fu opens new chapter for China-Kuwait military exchanges
Source: Xinhua| 2019-10-04 01:23:59|Editor: xuxin




A Chinese People's Armed Police Force (CAPF) training group member teaches Kuwait National Guard (KNG) soldiers fighting skills in a military camp in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, on Sept. 24, 2019. In the past month, seven officers from the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (CAPF) trained Kuwait National Guard (KNG) soldiers in shooting and combat tactics. (Photo by Niu Yuxi/Xinhua)

KUWAIT CITY, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Following the rhythm of a famous Chinese song, Sun Jiangtao, an officer from the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (CAPF), performed Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu in a military camp of the Kuwait National Guard (KNG) and won warm applause of the audience.

It is part of the performance programme of a seven-member training group of the CAPF at the graduation ceremony of the military training for the KNG.

In the past month, seven officers from the CAPF trained KNG soldiers in shooting and combat tactics.

They not only demonstrated the tactical concept of the CAPF, but also taught the actual combat methods with the characteristics of traditional Chinese martial arts.

After one-month teaching course these Chinese drillmasters earned unanimous praise from the Kuwaiti soldiers and received the Medal of Honor awarded by the KNG at the ceremony.

On the sideline of the ceremony, Li Minggang, Chinese ambassador to Kuwait, told Xinhua that the training has opened a new chapter in the cooperation between the CAPF and the KNG.

"This is a major development of cooperation between the two countries since the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Kuwait last year," Li noted.

At the ceremony, the Kuwaiti soldiers showed the results of the one-month training, including capture and counter-terrorism tactics.

Hamad Salem Al-Barjass, commander of protection and reinforcement of the KNG, told Xinhua that the CAPF has achieved great results in training of KNG soldiers.

"This is just a beginning, we look forward to the further cooperation between the two sides in the future," he said.

Li Shanliang, head of the training group, had traveled to Jordan and Romania for training foreign soldiers and has accumulated a lot of experience in training foreigners.

Considering the foreigners' interest in Chinese Kung Fu, Li combined Wing Chun Kung Fu and foreign fighting techniques and adopted a new fighting method, which was widely welcomed by Kuwaiti soldiers.

"I hope to break the traditional Chinese martial arts into modern fighting techniques, not only to strengthen the body, but also to make good use of it, so that Chinese Kung Fu can be passed down and carried forward," he noted.

According to Li, the KNG soldiers who participated in the training were very eager to learn the Chinese Kung Fu.

Meshaal Saif Aldhafeeri, one of the KNG soldiers, was hurt once in waist.

"We have never learned such a strong practical technology, it can not only attack suddenly, but also defend quickly, it is suitable for us to perform the task," he said.

The training group also conducted a series of teaching activities for the Kuwaiti soldiers to convey new ideas and tactical methods of CAPF special operations, including the concept of actual rapid shooting techniques.







Chinese People's Armed Police Force (CAPF) training group members teach Kuwait National Guard (KNG) soldiers shooting skills in a military camp in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, on Sept. 25, 2019. In the past month, seven officers from the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (CAPF) trained Kuwait National Guard (KNG) soldiers in shooting and combat tactics. (Photo by Niu Yuxi/Xinhua)

THREADS
Chinese Military Kung Fu
Shaolin in the military