Blood. Sweat. Ohhhhs and ahhhs. Cheering, clapping and shouts of encouragement. Bright lights, loud music and the culmination of weeks, months or even years of training, not to mention surviving a four-day tournament. The joy of winning and the agony of defeat.
For more than four hours last Saturday, Abrams Physical Fitness Center was the spot to be at the Great Place, as the finals of the 2013 Fort Hood Combatives Tournament were held. Fists flew, kicks landed and submission moves were applied. The atmosphere was electric, and the intensity of the evening could be felt in the air.
Outside of the tournament matches, there was a special treat for those in attendance: a chance to see leadership from different brigades duke it out on the mat.
"The commanding general wanted the brigade commanders and the brigade command sergeants major to get out there to show camaraderie and sportsmanship amongst the different units," said Col. Matt Elledge, Fort Hood Garrison commander. "I thought it was a great opportunity for all of us to get there and show our troops that we're going to do what they have to do."
When Elledge got out on the mat, he was accompanied by Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Gault, Fort Hood Garrison command sergeant major. Elledge and Gault were met in the tactical enclosure by their counterparts from the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade.
As the crowd worked into a frenzy over the fight, Elledge and Gault battled their opponents for 60 seconds as the spotlight shone brightly on them. Following the fight, both expressed a new-found respect for those who competed in the tournament.
"It was tough. I am in awe of the Soldiers that go five-minute rounds for three rounds. My hat is off to them," Elledge stated. "We just did it for a minute, and it wore us down."
Gault echoed the sentiment.
"Doing it just for one minute made me really appreciate what these guys go through when they go five minutes," Gault said. "It really takes intestinal fortitude."
In efforts to prepare for their one-minute battle, the Garrison leadership worked with Fort Hood combatives instructors, Elledge said. The training wasn't always pleasant, Gault said.
"For about two weeks, I trained at 5:30 every morning," Gault said. "It was painful, so it makes you appreciate what the combatives teams goes through to get ready to go to the tournament."
Despite the pain caused by his preparation for the tournament, Gault said it was worth it, because it benefits Soldiers.
"All-in-all, I really support the III Corps command getting out there and going just one minute just to show the troops that sergeants major and brigade commanders can get out there and roll," Gault said. "Even though it may not be five minutes, it gets the Soldiers motivated."
Gault not only spoke highly of the brigade command sergeants major and commanders participating in matches and the tournament itself, but also looked at the bigger picture of how combatives can prepare our Army for success.
"The tournament is a great thing," Gault said. "It helps build camaraderie between the units. It also shows we, as an Army, are ready to stand up to anybody, no matter what it takes."
A famous saying about New York exists that reads, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." However, when it comes to combatives, Elledge feels that phrase could also apply to the Great Place.
"I think the tournament deserves an A-plus," Elledge said. "It's evident in our success and
victories throughout the Army combatives tournaments. If you can win here, you have a good chance of being a winner at Army combatives."
This year, the U.S. Army Combatives Championship will be held at Fort Carson, Colo. For those warriors who earned their way to Colorado, Gault offered some words of encourgament.
"Give it your all. Leave everything on the mat," Gault said. "Like they say, when you go onto the ball field, leave it on the ball field. Leave everything on the mat."
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