En garde! Soldier applies fencing skills to Army career

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – Since its establishment in 1775, Soldiers have been training to be fit to fight; some choose to run, others choose weightlifting, or competing in more traditional sports, but Maj. Adelia Imhof, operations officer for the Directorate of Emergency Services here, chooses to compete in the age-old art of fencing.

The skills Imhof has learned through fencing have helped her throughout her Army career and ensures she is living the Army’s warrior ethos.

Imhof joined the Army in 2013 through the college option for Officer Candidate School to continue her family’s legacy of service and to serve a “higher purpose.”

For 250 years, the U.S. Army has offered endless possibilities and opportunities for service to our nation.

“My family has a long history of service in all branches of the military,” Imhof said. “I’m third generation Army, and I felt it was important to serve during a time of conflict. [My favorite aspect is] knowing I’m serving a higher purpose in protecting ordinary citizens and my fellow Soldiers.”

Many of the skills and traits she has learned competing in fencing have directly correlated to her success as an Army officer.

“Fencing [has] taught me to be resilient and quick thinking,” Imhof said. “I first learned critical thinking, discipline and respect through competitive fencing. Being in the Army reinforced those traits.”

Imhof began fencing at the age of 12 when her mother, who began competing in the 1960s, was teaching the sport through the local parks and recreation program. Imhof competed nationally from 1998 until 2012 but took a break from the sport in 2017.

Throughout high school, Imhof competed regularly. When she went off to college at the University of Idaho, Imhof began teaching and helping others learn the sport.

“I became an assistant instructor for the beginning class at my college, and I was a student in the advanced class, but I was one of the more advanced students in the advanced class,” she said

The thing Imhof enjoys most about competing in the sport is how it’s like “physical chess,” where you need to respond quickly.

“You have to think on your feet, and you have to be able to react within seconds to what your opponent is doing,” Imhof said. “You have to be able to adjust what you’re doing to not only confuse the opponent, but to make sure the referee knows what you’re doing.”

Currently, Imhof fences weekly at Still Point Fencing in Tucson. The organization offers classes for all different skill sets from the beginner level with no experience up to people preparing to compete in national competitions.

Imhof has recently competed in three USA Fencing competitions. The first two were in October and December of 2024 in Tucson and Phoenix and the third was at the January North American Cup held in Kansas City. She placed fifth out of 21 fencers in October, fifth out of 13 fencers in December, and 12th out of 16 in the Vet-40 Women’s Foil and 21st out of 44 fencers in the Veteran Women’s Foil at the North American Cup in January.

For those interested in learning fencing or anyone who is already a fencer, Imhof suggests seeking out a fencing organization that offers equipment rentals and can train you how to properly fence.

“I can teach you the very basics … but actually fencing, you would have to go to Tucson,” Imhof said. “The club has equipment available for rent. They would provide you with a jacket, mask, gloves, pants – if you need them for competition – and the weapons and body cords.”

Imhof said if there are any fencers in the local area to “reach out to me so we can get together and we can start some fencing down here.”

“Fencing is for anybody, any skill level, even physical fitness doesn’t matter that much when it comes to fencing, because the physical fitness will come as you fence,” she said. “You don’t have to be this super fit, super athletic person to do fencing. You just need to know which eye is dominant … and how much you really want to try it.”

The Army helps create a sense of purpose through personal growth and professional development – empowering Soldiers to be part of something greater than themselves and be all they can be. This we’ll defend.

(Editor’s note: This is the first story in a series of Soldier Spotlights which will highlight a Soldier from different units across the installation. The stories will be shared throughout the year in celebration of the Army’s 250th Birthday.)

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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, Electronic Proving Ground, Joint Interoperability Test Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.

Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.

We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.