CAMP HOVEY, South Korea -- One of the most exciting moments, for a Soldier, is firing rounds from his or her assigned weapon down range towards a target. However, what does a Soldier do when the enemy is close enough to grab that weapon before a round leaves the chamber
That's where combatives comes into the mix. Combatives is a tool that was first established by the U.S. Army in 1995 to teach Soldiers how to protect themselves in a close-quarters fight.
This year one of the 2nd Infantry Division's brigades leads the pack using this important tool.
The 210th Field Artillery Brigade Combatives Team won first place in the 2014 2nd Inf. Div. Combatives Tournament March 7 at Hovey Gym on Camp Hovey, South Korea.
"The most important things to remember are to close the distance between yourself and your opponent, gain a dominate body position, and finish the fight," said Sgt. Jeff Dasalla, from Mount View, Calif., a motor transport operator assigned to 579th Forward Support Company, 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th FA Bde.
'Finishing the Fight' was the inspiring words the team used to bring home four first place medals, two second place medals, and one third place medal.
"From day one, we focused on the cardio and their strength endurance because during the fight, it is a six-minute sprint," said Sgt. 1st Class Justin Prince, from Clifton, Texas, 210th FA Bde. senior intelligence noncommissioned officer. "After that, we worked on their take-downs, and once we were there, we went to grounds and worked on more technical submissions."
The team incorporated a mixture of CrossFit, wrestling and jujitsu twice a day for eight weeks to help prepare them for the tournament.
Spc. Kyle Clark, from Jefferson City, Mo., an information technology specialist assigned to 579th Forward Signal Company, 70th Brigade Support Battalion, 210th FA Bde., said combatives is another extension of the Warrior's mindset. For him, it's a lifestyle. Clark has been involved with combatives for 14 years now.
"It [combatives] gives you a different mindset on how to attack and defeat the enemy," he said. "It improves your mental toughness. It really helps you with issues throughout your day and your life, and it?'s just a lot of fun. I enjoy it."
The individual winners of the 2014 2nd Inf. Div. Combatives Tournament and the Soldiers who will represent the "Warrior Division" at this year's Eighth Army Tournament on April 4-5 are as follows: Army Tournament on April 4-5, 2014 is:
Flyweight: Male 125 lbs and under, Female 131 lb.
1st Place: Sgt. Lopez, Edward 210th FA BDE
Lightweight: Male 126-140 lbs, Female 132-147 lbs.
1st Place: Pfc. Saenz, Emilio 210th FA BDE
Welterweight: Male 141-155 lbs, Female 148-163 lbs.
1st Place: 1st Lt. Williams, Michael 1ABCT
Middleweight: Male 156-170 lbs, Female 164-179 lbs.
1st Place: Sgt. Dasalla, Jeff 210th FA BDE
Cruiserweight: Male 171-185lbs, Female 180-194 lbs.
1st Place: Pfc. Hudson, Geordon 210th FA BDE
Light Heavyweight: Male 186-205lbs, Female 195-215 lbs.
1st Place: Spc. Nguyen, Long HHBN
Heavyweight: Male 206 lbs and over, Female 216 lbs and over.
1st Place: Pfc. Valenzuela, Vincent 1ABCT
To download these high-quality photos and others for use in your publication, click on the link to go to this set at the 210th Field Artillery Brigade Flickr page:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/210fib/sets/72157642136173065/
Related Links:
210th FA Bde. dominates 2nd Inf. Div. combatives tournament
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