That said, I think that FOR YOU, you should take Boxing lessons. Boxing is the most opposite of what you have already done, you said that you don't want to go through a longer process, and you are short on time. If you know how to box a little, and wrestle a little, you can handle most people, especially most untrained or poorly trained people. At least in Boxing you should get hit.
I say should because even when I took Boxing lessons, I got hit the first day because somehow the coach could tell I had some experience "in something" as he put it, then didn't get hit for about a month, then did sparring again before the match. The sparring wasn't full contact either, and though I "lost" the match on points, I walked out of the ring and grabbed a lemonade while the winner had to be carried out on a stretcher. I'm not saying this to brag, I'm saying this because by internet logic (which wasn't around then), the other guy, who was in better shape and had more "full contact sparring"---you know, more training in something that was "alive", while most of my training was "dead" supposedly-----should have knocked me out. He didn't. Why? I did exactly what my coach told me to do, and he ignored his coach because he thought he knew what he was doing. It turns out that coach also had backgrounds in the internal Chinese Martial Arts, in addition to Western Boxing. He was the tirst of many "old" men who'd hand me a beating or shock me with their technique, literally knocking any preconceived notions out of my head.
At any rate, you'll feel better if you take Boxing right now, based on how you worded your question.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corp... You want to learn to fight before going into the military?
Krav Maga is a modern martial art, like the LINE system linked above. Designed specifically for the foot soldier in full combat gear. With 50 lbs of gear on your body. You want your attacks to be devastating. You want to stay on your feet. So that eliminates most wrestling disciplines.
If Krav Maga is not available, American Kenpo would be another suggestion.
Research some Filipino, Indonesian, and Malaysian styles as well. They're known for taking a no nonsense approach. Look for teachers who have blended more than one style. Whatever the style, make sure its taught realistically.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Easily the best for self defense in my opinion.
You get someone on the ground who doesn't know **** abut grappling and you have even 6 months of bjj, they're done
And don't listen to people who say "the last place you wanna be is on the ground in case he has buddies with him stomping your head in". Realistically, you're not gonna have a high chance of beating more than 2 people by yourself no matter what martial art you practice. Bjj has badass throws if you have the right school (all bjj schools will teach basic judo throws at least) and VERY extensive groundwork.
You don't need to find a style. You need to find a good instructor. You age, height or weight doesn't matter. It is what you do with what you have.
There is no best art or style. But there are better instructors. Once you have found the best instructor you can you have found your style.
You need to really define your goals. Do you want to learn a sport (focus of training is competing) or do you want to learn self defense (focus of training is on life preservation).
People are biased to the things they do or enjoy. If you enjoy boxing you will say boxing is the best, If you enjoy bjj you will say bjj is the best. But a well trained experienced martial artist know that best is subjective to ones opinion. It is not based upon fact. A punch is a punch. A kick s a kick. A throw is a throw. A choke is a choke. When done correctly they are all effective.
Keep in mind that very sport has rules. The rules are there to protect the athlete from too many injuries. The rules limit what you can or can't do. It also limits the techniques that most sports oriented school will teach. This doesn't matter is the sport is boxing, mma, muay thai, spots judo, or sports karate.
A martial arts school whose focus in on life preservation will teach things you will not learn in a sports oriented school. Every technique taught in a sports oriented school came from a traditional martial. You will learn those techniques and more when the instructor teaches it. TMA are taught to police and military all over the world because it is effective. People for centuries have used TMA to defend themselves and others. People still use them effectively to defend themselves and others.
You need to start by visiting the schools near you. Observe the classes. Take the trial class. Visit more than once. Then you can make an better educated decision on which instructor will better help you meet your personal goals.
Personally I have defended myself and others of attacks with multiple attackers, one gun, one knife, and multiple times against chairs, or sticks. I've had female teens that defended against adult males. One fought off 2 adult males by herself and put them in the hospital because they attempted to rape her. Those thing aren't often taught well in a sports oriented school. Sometimes it is not taught well in other schools. But you will find more TMA school that teach it correctly than you will in other places. But if the best instuctor in your area is a sports school I'd say choose that place. If the best instructor is a TMA school then choose that place. If the best instructor is a reality based school choose that school.
I've been trying to find a practical martial art to practice for close to six months now because i'm getting a job now that schools in recess. I will only be in practice for two years (assuming I can hold a job) because then I graduate high school and am off to the military for 4-6 years. I mention this because i know a lot of Martial Arts take more than a couple years to even get decent at. I have a medium background in folk wrestling as I've been doing it for a couple years year round in high school. I have looked into Kenpo, Kung Fu San Soo, Muy thai and BJJ (obviously very popular), traditional Boxing, Pankration, and Wing Chun. I want something practical for self defense, I don't care about competitions or competitive aspects. I just don't want someone to wipe the floor with me should I ever need anything other than something as basic as wrestling. All that being said, I know an arts effectiveness depends upon the trainer and trainee and I'm willing to take more than a few beatings if it means the styles practical in a situation. Oh and if you're a wannabe UFC/MMA d-bag who thinks only Boxing/Muy Thai/BJJ/Wrestling are effective don't answer. I want logical reasoning as to why I should practice a suggested style. Thank you guys/girls in advance. And if for some reason you need to know my height and weight (I've been told wing chun uses leverage for smaller practitioners and am unsure if this applies to other MAs.) I am 6' 175 pounds and rising weight wise.
