The Pentagon this week approved a major policy directive that elevates the military's mission of "irregular warfare" -- the increasingly prevalent campaigns to battle insurgents and terrorists, often with foreign partners and sometimes clandestinely -- to an equal footing with traditional combat.

For example, see the recent solicitation for Combatives Training:

Course instruction will include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Thai Kickboxing, Mix Martial Arts, and Modern Army Combative training.

From the archive:

War may be hell, but infowar is making a bid for heaven.

'Irregular Warfare' Will Get Same Attention as Traditional Combat