Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the MacDill Fitness Center

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla. --  An Airman slams his supervisor to the ground! Pins him down and makes him beg for mercy. Surprisingly, this Airman got no paperwork! 

There is only one place on base this could work: Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training classes at the Fitness Center. Airmen wanting the same opportunity can attend classes Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. upstairs in the aerobics room. 

With his short and stocky build, one would never know that the class instructor, Rob Kahn, holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and has over 10 years of training. 

"I started training with the Gracie family at the end of 1994," said Mr. Kahn. "And I fell in love with it." 

Mr. Kahn added that Jiu-jitsu is a love or hate issue. He said that people either develop a great passion for it, or it is just not for them. 

Jiu-jitsu is a combination of submissions, positions and grappling and focuses mainly on ground fighting. It has minimal rules and no weight class. 

At the Fitness Center, the classes have more emphasis on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and are geared for beginners. 

"Anyone could walk in to the class, never have taken a Jiu-jitsu class, and would be able to do all the things that are taught in the class," said Master Sgt. Katherine Munsey, 6th Services Squadron sports and fitness specialist. 

Sergeant Munsey added that by taking the training, servicemembers can gain skills and techniques that would be useful for everyday life. 

"We have had a contract with Rob since the beginning of July," commented Sergeant Munsey. "We heard about him and asked him to come and teach classes here." 

Mr. Kahn explained that there is no better martial art for women to learn than Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He said that with the skills learned in the class will enable them to fight anywhere and overcome dramatic issues in size and strength. 

"If you have no Jiu-jitsu experience, this is the perfect class for you," concluded Mr. Kahn.
After a couple classes, the same Airman's supervisor got his revenge, and he showed no mercy. All it took was a couple of classes.