MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif -- As an adolescent, watching the characters of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” flash across the television screen saving the day he mimicked their maneuvers hoping to some day become as swift, aggressive and confident.
Today, Sgt. Levi Grear stands in a large room with mats on the floor. Chinese symbols cover the walls around him. Armed with only a mouthpiece and a pair of training gloves, he executes precision strikes with the confidence of a fearless war fighter.
Grear works as videographer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron here, and in his off-time he practices a rare type of Kung Fu, known as Wing Chun.
Growing up in inner-city Atlanta, the passive pre-teen sought confidence and the ability to defend himself against the gangs and violence within his high-crime neighborhood.
The sergeant first studied the ancient-Chinese movements with a Taekwondo instructor who offered free, private lessons. Grear quit the lessons after injuring his instructor while executing a round-house kick.
Grear regained interest in martial arts during Marine Corps JROTC in high school.
While conducting drill one afternoon, his platoon was approached by gang members who soon became a threat to the students.
The master sergeant in charge of the class tried to dismiss the teenagers, but when they became violent he executed a series of line training maneuvers, the predecessor of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, or MCMAP.
“I wanted to learn the things he knew,” said Grear, “and that’s one of the reasons I joined the Marine Corps.”
Grear attended boot camp in 2000 and found some of the confidence desired upon completion of line training and graduation.
“I can tell through conversations that it has changed him,” said Gail Pittman, his mother. “It has taught him discipline and given him more patience, as well as confidence.”
When MCMAP was first introduced , Grear filmed the first class at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
After videotaping the course from start to finish, Grear’s interest in martial arts was re-ignited and he completed his first level of MCMAP training. He also made time for Taekwondo and Judo classes in Virginia, but quit after receiving orders to the air station.
“Marines should seek out higher levels of martial arts training,” encouraged Grear. “Just like they should find time to (physically train) on their own, they should find time to increase their level of close-combat skills. To be better at close combat, people should find a type that suits them best.”
Upon arrival to the air station, Grear began practicing Wing Chun, a combination of boxing, karate, and fencing.
“This particular martial art takes the joints through a full-range of motion,” said Benjamin Black, an instructor, or sifu, of the San Diego Wing Chun Association. “It conditions the body with strength training, flexibility and coordination.”
The sergeant has trained faithfully at the association three times a week for two years. Each training session, which lasts two hours, usually consists of kicking, moving and punching drills, blocks and a few rounds of sparring, or boxing bouts — all while applying countermeasures rather than attacking an opponent.
“(Grear) is a really dedicated student to the art and the school,” added Black, “and not just to fighting, he has lots of respect for the tradition and developing himself.”
Grear aspires to someday become a sifu himself.
“I would love to pass on my knowledge to others,” said Grear. “I also plan on teaching my daughter, so she can have confidence and the ability to defend herself and remain calm in different situations.”