What Martial Arts Does the CIA use? A Realistic Breakdown

Many people ask: What martial arts does the CIA use?

The short answer?

There is no single “CIA martial art.”

The CIA does not publicly endorse or train agents in one specific martial arts system. Instead, defensive skills are typically drawn from practical, adaptable combat training methods designed for real-world scenarios..

While the CIA does not publish specific training programs, practical self-defense systems commonly associated with military and law enforcement include:

1. Krav Maga

• Krav Maga was developed for military use and emphasizes:

• Defending against armed attackers

• Aggressive counterattacks

• Situational awareness

• Quick neutralization of threats

It is widely used in military and security training programs worldwide.

2. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ focuses on:

• Ground control

• Escapes from holds

• Leverage-based submissions

• Fighting larger opponents

Many military and law enforcement agencies incorporate grappling training.

3. Boxing

Boxing builds:

• Striking precision

• Defensive movement

• Conditioning

• Stress tolerance

Clean punching mechanics are extremely practical in close encounters.