TO FIGHT TERRORISTS, THE U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES
EMPLOYS GREG THOMPSON’S REALITYBASED PROGRAM
BY DOUG JEFFREY / PHOTOS BY BOB SADLER

FOUR PASSENGER
PLANES HIJACKED,
CLOSE
TO 3,000 DEAD
AND SOME $10
BILLION IN PROPERTY
DAMAGE. IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE
ANYTHING GOOD RESULTED
FROM THE SEPT. 11, 2001 TERRORIST
ATTACKS ON THE UNITED
STATES, BUT THERE IS. GREG
THOMPSON’S SPECIAL OPERATIONS
COMBATIVES PROGRAM
(SOCP) RESULTED FROM THAT
DEVASTATING DAY.

After the attacks, Special Operation
Forces® set out to destroy the terrorists’
infrastructure and key leaders. When our
Soldiers returned to the United States,
they relayed to Thompson the problems
they encountered. Using a near constant
feedback while working with Special Operations
Forces, Thompson analyzed the
information, formulated strategies and developed
a protocol for fighting, cuffing
and handling prisoners in kit (body
armor).
On March 23, 2010, SOCP®, which is
primarily an assaulter-base system that
gives the operator the basic technique
and fighting tactics needed, became the
first combatives program officially designated
for all U.S. Army Special Operations
Forces. The program directly
enhances the fighting qualities of our current
and future special operations personnel
and ensures there will always be a
combatives program for the special operator,
and it is uniquely attuned to his
changing requirements.
Over the last several years there has
been less assaulting in kit and more traveling
and meeting abroad. Soldiers are
traveling alone and have to abide by the
local laws of the host country. In some…

This News & Events entry was posted on February 26th, 2015.