Close quarter combat teacher training available at 3 CDTC
November 28, 2024 - Capt Kyle Ho, Real Property Operations Unit (West) Program Officer
The 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre (3 CDTC) offers a rigorous Close Quarter Combat Instructor (CQCI) course designed to equip students with essential skills and techniques for effective combat in confined environments.
This advanced program is tailored for military personnel and focuses on a range of combat scenarios, including standing positions, grappling techniques and weapons handling.
The CQCI course emphasizes fundamental concepts essential for effective hand‑to‑hand combat. During the program, students engage in intense physical training, mastering techniques for various weapons and combat scenarios against multiple adversaries.
Students learn to fight effectively using a baton, knife, rifle and pistol, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in close‑range encounters. Training also covers the use of bayonets and pepper spray, providing a well‑rounded skill set. Techniques for standing and ground combat are crucial, as many encounters may transition from upright positions to grappling on the ground.
Students practise defensive and offensive manoeuvres to maintain control in all situations. Utilizing improvised weapons from readily available materials, students learn to defend themselves in unpredictable environments. This component fosters creativity and resourcefulness in combat scenarios.
Each day features physical training sessions twice a day, focusing on endurance, strength and agility. The training includes a rigorous running obstacle course designed to enhance overall fitness and simulate the challenges faced on potential battlefields. The course also features sparring bouts, allowing students to apply techniques in realistic scenarios while emphasizing safety and control. These bouts help build confidence and reinforce the importance of discipline in close combat situations.
Leading the course is Warrant Officer Clinton Arnold, a first‑degree black belt in Taekwondo and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu. His extensive experience and diverse skill set make him an ideal instructor for this program.
"Martial arts is a lifelong journey; it's about continual growth and adaptation," he says. "In this course, we focus on the basics to lay a strong foundation for each student’s personal development in combat."
To qualify for the course, students must have completed the Primary Leadership Qualification course, demonstrating their foundational understanding of instructional techniques. Upon successful completion of the CQCI course, participants earn valuable insights and skills necessary for their roles in their home units.
The CQCI course emphasizes that mastering any martial art is a continuous journey, and mastery cannot be achieved in just six weeks. By the end of the course, students emerge as capable instructors ready to share their knowledge with their peers.
The 3 CDTC CQCI course stands as a testament to the commitment to excellence in military training. Through a blend of rigorous physical training, hands‑on techniques and a focus on safety and leadership, students are empowered to navigate the complexities of close combat with confidence and skill.

Caption
Students required to get comfortable in fighting opponents that will fight back.
Photo Supplied

Caption
Participants in the Close Quarter Combat Instructor (CQCI) course conduct a Pugil Stick drill. Pugil Stick training is the simulation of bayonet fighting. With a concussion protocol and personal protective equipment in place, this is the only training in the program where students are allowed to strike with 100 per cent force.
Photo supplied

Caption
The CQCI course 2024 graduation photo with six students graduated.
Photo Supplied
Page details
- Date modified: