Andrew Somerville is a former senior Military Unarmed Combat and Close Quarter Fighting Instructor in the Australian Army.  He is a recognised subject matter expert in the field of combatives training with proven expertise in conveying combative knowledge, skills and attitudes to individuals and small teams.

Andrew qualified as a Military Unarmed Combat Exponent in Townsville in 1991 under the instruction of Major John Whipp.  He subsequently qualified as a C Class Military Unarmed Combat Instructor in 1992 and after five years of study and training advanced to become one of only five A Class Instructors in the Australian Army that John Whipp qualified in 1997.  In November 1998 Andrew became the Australian Army’s senior Military Unarmed Combat Instructor upon John Whipp’s retirement from the Australian Army.

Over the period 1992 to 2006 Andrew was instrumental in developing the Australian Army’s combative training systems and its associated doctrine.  He taught on numerous courses over two decades imparting combative skills and knowledge to regular and reserve personnel including infantrymen, paratroopers, Special Forces personnel and select tactical Police Officers.  In 1997 Andrew assisted in the development of the Special Forces Close Quarter Fighting Course.  In 2000 he led the development of the Australian Army’s Close Quarter Fighting training including its associated doctrine and training policies. In addition to his extensive military background, Andrew has trained in several martial art disciplines, including Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, and Doce Parese Eskrima.