Crewmember Self Defense Training Program
Vision 100 – Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act
President Bush signed the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act into law on December 13, 2003. This Act, also known as the FAA Reauthorization Bill, is designed to strengthen America's aviation sector and enhance the safety of the traveling public.
The Act further requires TSA to develop and make available to flight and cabin crewmembers an advanced self-defense training program that includes appropriate and effective responses for defending against an attacker. Administered by the TSA Office of Law Enforcement / Federal Air Marshal Service, the Crew Member Self Defense Training (CMSDT) program is available free of charge to all actively employed crewmembers.
CMSDT is delivered in two parts. First, the participating crewmember reviews a self-paced, interactive DVD and student manual designed to familiarize them with self defense concepts and techniques. After completing the review, the crewmember schedules and attends a one-day "hands-on" training program conducted at participating community colleges around the country. Crewmembers may repeat the training as often as they would like.
