Impact Reduction Suit Training
Like all training done in the Army the Modern Army Combatives Program continues to strive to make its training as applicable and realistic as possible. The impact reduction Suits are another way for us to take realistic training to the next level.
Basically an Impact Reduction Suit (IRS) is a close fitting padded suit that can be worn either over or under your ACU's. It's not bulky or heavy and allows total freedom of movement. The IBA and all gear can still be worn while conducting training in the IRS. The idea behind it is that it will allow you to train scenarios against fully resistant opponents with less risk of injury.
As part of preparing our soldiers for combat we should make sure that we are doing everything we can to prepare them for any type of situation that they might encounter. For instance: when we train the enter and clear battle drill and there is a bad guy in the room we always do one of two things, either A: we shoot them, or B: we simulate throwing them on the ground and using force to subdue and zip cuff. The problem with that type of training is that A: you cant always just shoot the enemy, and B: if you dont really know how much force is needed to throw a non-compliant enemy on the ground and subdue him, you're not really ready for that situation. With the impact reduction suit on your four man team can enter that room, be presented with a fully resistant, noncompliant hostile enemy also wearing an impact reduction suit and fully utilize the violence of action that we train for. Your four man team can pick up the enemy drop him on the ground, butt stroke him, zip cuff him and continue the mission, all full speed, full force, and without injury.