U.S. Marine Close Combat Fighting Handbook

Today’s Marines operate within a continuum of force where conflict may change from low intensity to high intensity over a matter of hours. Marines are also engaged in many military operations other than war, such as peacekeeping missions or noncombatant evacuation operations, where deadly force may not be authorized. During non-combative engagements, Marines must determine if a situation warrants applying deadly force. Sometimes Marines must decide in a matter of seconds because their lives or the lives of others depend on their actions. To make the right decision. Marines must understand both the lethal and nonlethal close combat techniques needed to handle the situation responsibly without escalating the violence unnecessarily. Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-02B, Close Combat, provides the tactics, techniques, and procedures of Marine Corps close combat. It also provides the doctrinal basis for the Marine Corps Close Combat Training Program (MCCCTP).


This manual contains the following chapters:


Overview of Close Combat

1. Purpose of Close Combat

2. Continuum of Force

3. Marine Corps Tactical Concepts


Chapter 1. Fundamentals of Close Combat

1. Ranges of Close Combat

2. Weapons of the Body

3. Target Areas of the Body

4. Pressure Points of the Body

5. Basic Warrior Stance

6. Angles of Approach and Movement

7. Balance and Off-Balancing

8. Falls


Chapter 2. Lethal and Nonlethal Weapons Techniques

1. Bayonet Techniques

2. Nonlethal Rifle and Shotgun Retention Techniques

3. Nonlethal Handgun Retention Techniques

4. Firearm Disarmament Techniques


Chapter 3. Hand-Held Weapons

1. Fundamentals of Knife Fighting

2. Knife Fighting Techniques

3. Weapons of Opportunity

4. Fundamentals of Combative Stick

5. Combative Stick Techniques

6. Blocking Techniques

7. Unarmed Against Hand-Held Weapons

8. Counters to Hand-Held Weapon Attacks


Chapter 4. Strikes

1. Principles of Punches

2. Punches

3. Strikes with the Upper Body

4. Strikes with the Lower Body

5. Counters to Strikes


Chapter 5. Throws

1. Turning Throw

2. Hip Throw

3. Leg Sweep


Chapter 6. Chokes and Holds

1. Types of Chokes

2. Chokes

3. Counters to Chokes and Holds


Chapter 7. Ground Fighting

1. Offensive Ground Fighting

2. Defensive Ground Fighting

3. Ground Fighting Chokes


Chapter 8. Nonlethal Techniques

1. Unarmed Restraints and Manipulation

2. Nonlethal Baton


Appendix A. Pugil Stick Training

1. Pugil Stick Training

2. General Rules and Regulations Governing Pugil Stick Bouts

3. Directions for Making Pugil Sticks


Appendix B. Safety Precautions During Training

1. General Safety Precautions

2. Safety Precautions for Individual Techniques