Monadnock Expandable Baton (MEB)

The Basic MEB Course consists of a 4-hour (minimum) user level program. Basic Course certification techniques include Stance, Patterns of Movement, Baton Grip, Baton Methods of Carry, Baton Draws, Baton Two-Handed Grip Blocks, Baton Counter Strikes, and Baton Retention. This is a well-rounded training approach that provides officer protection at three specific ranges for concluding an attack.

The first defensive range available to officers is the extended range. This range combines the full arm extension of a officer with the actual length of a particular baton as it is held in the officer's strong hand. The extended range is the maximum area that an officer can expect to defend to his (her) front and to both flanks. Extended range techniques include both Basic one-hand strikes. This range is an officer's first line of defense against an attacker.

The second line of defense for stopping an attacker is at the intermediate range. As its name implies, it is the area that falls between full arm extension and within one foot of the officer's chest. There is less space at the intermediate range, as well as at the close-in range, for performing large sweeping baton strikes as in the extended range. Consequently, two-handed strikes and blocks are designed for rapid and effective use within a confined or compact space like the intermediate range. This ability is unique to the MEB Program.

The third and most important range is close-in. Close-in encounters pose the greatest danger to an officer's safety (or survival) due to the extremely tight space he (she) has to effectively and appropriately maneuver a baton for self-defense or subject control. Close-in encounters involve combat within one foot or less of the officer's chest. Close-in encounter techniques again include two-handed, strikes and/or blocks. Officer survival and the Council's MEB Basic Course go hand in hand with each other.

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