The Todd group exported a full phase 1, 2 and 3 course of instruction to Thailand November/December 2010.

 

Since training and testing in Thailand in 1991 I had always wanted to return and provide training there in my system giving something back to the country where I enjoyed my first visit as an exponent/candidate coming up 20 years ago and future visits as a guest instructor on colleague’s courses.

Respecting the chain of command and not showing disrespect to anyone living and established in such training in Thailand was the reason why I had not established such training until now.

The time being right and everyone supporting and endorsing the establishment of Todd Systems training in Thailand was all the incentive I required.

The international close combat instructors Association having postponed their convention set down for Lopburi at the Thai Special Forces military camp provided an opening for the Todd group to export my courses of instruction.

The Ranger group international director Ken Richter was my point of contact and the course coordinator and manager responsible for making this specialist opportunity happen.

The slots for this first Todd group exported course to Thailand were filled quickly with 22 exponents on course.

When all exponents and instructors had mustered in Bangkok they were picked up and transported by the Ranger Training Group to the pre-course lodge/resort accommodation at Lopburi where they spent the first night and were briefed on the following days transport to the Royal Thai Special Forces Camp A-03.

November 29 we were transported to the camp and given a brief and familiarization of the camp facilities and the upcoming activities.

Hanging on the entrance to the camp was a custom-made banner inviting us into the camp reading welcome all tough guys from CQC group complete with the flags of Thailand, the United States of America and New Zealand.

This banner was later moved to hang over the entrance to our barracks and was given to me to take back and hang proudly in the Todd group HQ.

I was also presented with a wonderful gilded framed photograph of the King and Queen of Thailand from the English language school teacher Amy and the students that visited us on course as part of their English-speaking studies field trip.

 Once everyone had settled in to the barracks and squared away their personal kit the training phase begun.

The day one program consisted of phase 1 Todd Systems instruction for all on course regardless of rank.

This training was for two hours followed by phase two training for two hours then phase three training.

Meals were served in the mess tent and consisted of the finest traditional Thai cuisine and local fresh fruits served up by our hospitable chefs.

The group went through over 180 litres of water on the first day alone and it was winter and we were blessed with at times a cooling breeze.

Day two was a 6 AM start for the phase 3 contingent followed by breakfast and then dividing the course into a phase 1 group and a phase 2 group that were trained in different areas.

8am daily was the raising of the flag and we were proud to be part of this important time of the day and mark of respect.

The Todd Systems require exponents to test and earn rank and the right and privilege to train in advanced and specialist phases of training. Bearing this in mind   training must be conducted in relation to the required training security regulations in relation to the specific level or phase of training.

This is one of the Todd group privileges of passing phase tests and achieving and we have an obligation to all those that have done so to ensure such train- ing is protected and isolated.

This is another reason why there are no phase 2 advanced or phase 3 specialist manuals or distance learning DVDs available as eligible exponents must learn the skills hands on to ensure the security and integrity of such training is maintained and out of respect to those that have earned the right through testing to such training.

There are some modules like phase two advanced control and restraint that are available to exponents of all levels and ranks as they are required skill sets for police and security duties.

The previous regime in relation to the conducting of segregated phases of training continued for the duration of the course.

Days 3, 4 and five saw the introduction of activities including repelling, wall climbing, the jump tower and the Special Forces Obstacle course.

Physical capabilities and psychological levels were tested during these auxiliary activities.

Repelling was conducted with both backward and forward descents off of the climbing tower.

The following day attendees had the opportunity to complete the obstacle course followed by a much appreciated slide of life and dip in the lake to clean off the remnants of the obstacle course.

The final auxiliary activity was the parachute jump tower where volunteers were first instructed in proper parachute landing skills by M/Sgt Surapol (Yau) Jumsising and his staff.

 

Then up the tower they ran yelling at full voice before they were stopped at the top briefed and connected up.

Ken was up in the tower to do the final checks and give the final instructions along with Sgt Tongchua which instilled a sense of confidence in the individual exponents knowing they were in such experienced hands with Ken in control.

CQC training nearing the end of the course consisted of skills stands and battle handling exercises including disorientation through being hooded and moved from one location to another at which point the hood would be removed and an immediate threat presented that they would need to combat or counter.

Introducing the element of surprise disorientation and the need to assess decide on the best means of countering or combating the immediate presented threat and utilizing battle proven skills proved the individual candidate’s ability to effectively go combative and is a Todd Systems practice of old.

We had outside the Todd group attending exponents and assistant instructors and Thai Special Forces personnel three of Kens Associates.

One of these exponents was Dominique Fontanarosa a world Savate champion and who operates Boxer Rebellion International Martial Arts Club in Bangkok.

https://boxer-rebellion.net/instructors.php

 

Dominique is a former professional fighter. In Savate (French Kickboxing), he achieved a record of 76 wins and 6 losses; in 1993 he was crowned World Champion. In kickboxing, he lost only once in 27 bouts, and won both European And World Champion belts. In International boxing his record is 24 wins and 7 losses.

Dominique adapted well to the Todd Systems of CQC along with his friend Francois Dubuit who was carrying a serious knee injury but still entered into the course of instruction with commitment and inner resolve.

We hope to see Dominique and François down under in March on our international CQB course and test phase with the intention of Dominique establishing a Todd group depot of his own delivering Todd Systems training from his Boxer Rebellion gymnasium in Bangkok. Dominique and François as well as Ekachai the third of Kens Associates a Thai national adapted well to the training, achieving high levels of proficiency on the phase 1 course of instruction and now have some very good Kiwi friends from down under.

 

During the week all attendees were graciously taken to the military winter festival where they were VIP spectators at the festival Muay Thai boxing.

Captain  Amnuay ( Ammo) Somsap ensured we got to and from the winter festival and even saw to us getting VIP seats.

 

General Chanit, Captain Ammo and Master Sargent Surapol (Yau) Jumsising attended the CQC training throughout the course and we were honoured to have them not only in attendance but so interested in the training.

In the latter stages of the course we had Thai Special Forces personnel join the course and my assistant instructors ensured they received correct and good training in the Todd Systems and as a result they achieved good results and took to the Todd System with a real enthusiasm and considerable natural ability.

 

In the evenings after everyone had showered and changed there was an outside bar area for drinks and the playing of DVDs and Captain Ammo gave us some great karaoke entertainment along with others.

We even had a fine duet from Captain Ammo and Katie one of our exponents.

We dined daily with Ken a life time Special Forces combatant with a very specialist record of service and General Chanit a Special Forces officer and former commander that was happy to dine with the lads and showed such humility and hospitality a testament to his professionalism and life time’s service. 

Late afternoon on Friday, December 3 everyone was transported back to the resort accommodation in Lopburi where they dropped their kit and were then taken to the Thai Special Forces Museum which was a very interesting experience.

The Museum was under development but our gracious hosts with their rank and status arranged for a special tour just for us complete with presentations.

From the museum it was back to the resort for a quick swim and change of clothes and attending the course banquet with certificate presentations.

The banquet and presentation was once again a demonstration of General Chanit’s humility when the head of the table was laid out to seat the General Ken and I and when General Chanit saw this he said we should sit in the middle of the table as we were all family.

Ken, General Chanit and I presented the various certificates in recognition of undertaking and completing the various CQC and auxiliary training components.

Ken commented on how the Todd group were well-organized highly proficient in CQC and committed to participation in the auxiliary training activities.

General Chanit commented on the high level of the exponents and assistant instructors on the CQC course of instruction.

I felt very honoured when the general addressed the group saying he considered that I was the best CQC instructor in the world followed no the universe and this coming from a seasoned Special Forces officer of over thirty years’ service including stints with other allied special operations groups and who had spent considerable time observing my instructing of my system was something very special to me personally.

I was asked to select the five leading exponents on course during the week and at the presentation Ken and General Chanit presented them with a Special Forces watch each in recognition of their participation and achievement.

The following were the chosen exponents.

Andy Boag

Lucan Whiting-Todd

Daniel Monz

Jason Coates

Matt Prior

Katie one of the two females on course was respected by her fellow exponents and instructors for her commitment not only to the CQC aspects but also the auxiliary activities.

The Todd group now have a primary satellite training facility to export their CQC courses to that is second to none in providing the environment atmosphere facilities and ranger group  can provide auxiliary activities that make our CQC courses very practical beneficial and special.

I've always said that CQC is best performed and practiced in the environment and conditions it is most likely to be employed and the jungle setting, barracks life in camp and getting back to the real basics and a rustic environment really enhances CQC and the objectives we always strive to achieve.

 

The Todd group and the Ranger Training Group International have now established a professional relationship that will see the Todd group export CQC courses regularly to Lopburi. The Ranger Training Group International can provide additional auxiliary training in such subjects as jungle survival, navigation and special tactics. The Todd Group know their speciality that being armed and unarmed combat and do not venture into subjects they are not highly skilled and qualified in, but having teamed up with the Ranger Training Group International have an ally that can now provide interested exponents with other forms of physical and practical skills training.

The Todd group welcomes it’s rank-and-file as well as nominations from new global exponents willing to join our future courses exported to Thailand.

We will accept inquiries and nominations from interested individuals and organizations from anywhere in the world providing them with joining instructions and advice on upcoming courses adding their name to application lists for upcoming courses.

This is a real and unique opportunity for not only current and former service personnel but also committed interested civilian enthusiasts to apply to be part of the Todd group exported courses of instruction conducted in a Special Forces camp in Thailand.