ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Most Joint Munitions Command employees learned that the general's aide-de-camp was a combatives fighter after turning on their computers in the morning.
Once the computer completed its loading, an Army Knowledge Online page would have displayed a photo with the following caption:
"First Lt. Daniel Midgett of the 5th Special Forces Group, right, kicks Sgt. First Class Jeff Duncan of Fort Leonard Wood July 27 during the 2012 U.S. Army Combatives Tournament at Fort Hood, TX. (Photo by U.S. Army)"
Yes, JMC's First Lt. Midgett.
Midgett is the aide-de-camp for Brig. Gen. Kevin G. O'Connell, commanding general for JMC.
Midgett, recently earned first place in the 185 cruiserweight division in the 2012 U.S. Army Combatives Tournament held July 26-28. Midget has served as O'Connell's aide since June.
With a busy schedule for aide-de-camps, how did Midgett find the time to compete? Actually, call it perfect timing. O'Connell was scheduled to go to the general officer's CAPSTONE course for six weeks. This allowed Midgett to go and fight.
"I was happy General O'Connell gave me the opportunity to go (fight)," he said. "He allowed me to compete."
Midgett fought in the cruiserweight division at 185 pounds, as he defeated Staff Sgt. Ashten Richardson, U.S. Army Korea, during the championship match.
Since JMC does not have a combatives team, he received permission from JMC leadership to fight with his former unit, 5th Special Forces Group out of Fort Campbell, Ky.
"In 2009, I placed fourth during the same tournament when it was held in Fort Benning, Ga.," he said.
In order to win the championship, Midgett had to win six matches. Those matches were not without pain.
"I broke the upper bridge on my nose in the third match. It was an accident by my opponent," he said.
Other bumps and bruises finally led to the championship match where he beat Richardson with a long submission hold and repeated fists to Richardson's head and body.
The championship is a dream come true for Midgett.
"It was great. We fight as a hobby. We're full time Soldiers," he said.
Midgett also received word that he is now Lieutenant -promotable Midgett.
And how did O'Connell react to the win?
"He said 'Good job. Way to go. Congratulations.'" Midgett recalled, although O'Connell has not seen a videotaped copy of the fight, yet.
With O'Connell reporting back to JMC on Aug. 20, Midgett knows his schedule will go back to being the general's right hand man -- a hand with a mighty punch.
From its headquarters in Rock Island, Ill., JMC operates a nationwide network of conventional ammunition manufacturing plants and storage depots, and provides on-site ammunition experts to U.S. combat units wherever they are stationed or deployed. JMC's customers are U.S. forces of all military services, other U.S. Government agencies, and allied nations.
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