Army combatives builds unit cohesion

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Brandi Stalling, radio operator with Division Signal Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, accomplishes a leg sweep during the unit combatives class Sept. 3, at Kieshnick Gym. During the class, Soldiers are taught that despite their physique and stature with the right techniques it is possible to overcome a larger and stronger opponent. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Juana M. Nesbitt, 13th Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

09.03.2014

Story by Sgt. Juana Nesbitt 

13th Public Affairs Detachment

FORT HOOD, Texas – His mind raced uncontrollably, adrenaline surged throughout his body in anticipation of his debut as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter.

Capt. Tyler Moyer, of Gig Harbor, Wash., rear detachment deputy commander for Division Signal Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division recalled the scene.

Moyer trained for three months for his first real bout.

It was in the same town as the college he attended, “Either all my friends would see me win or they’d see me get pounded and ultimately loose,” said Moyer.

All of the training Moyer went through paid off - He won! Not only did he win his first match, but he also won his second match.

Moyer left his short MMA career and a 2-0 record to answer the call of duty, as he received his Army commission and became a Soldier.

“In 2003, I enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard as a way to pay for college, make a small income and job training,” said Moyer. “After watching many of my friends graduate college and struggle finding a job, I decided to go active duty because the experience the Army can provide surpasses most civilian job experience.”

Despite Moyer’s change in lifestyle, he’s never lost his passion for fighting.

“Once on active duty, I still trained at local fight houses in the area wherever I was stationed,” said Moyer. “While stationed in Korea, I competed in the battalion combatives tournament and placed first.”

Nowadays, Moyer assists his unit in conducting combatives training twice a month for the Soldiers of his company, he said.

“Captain Moyer is awesome,” said Staff Sgt. Lavander R. Blackwell from Chicago, an information systems specialist in the same unit. “He is one of the most knowledgeable instructors in combatives here at Fort Hood.”

Although some Soldiers shy away from unarmed combat, with the proper techniques anyone can be successful, said Moyer.

“I like to start Soldiers with simple moves they can remember,” he said. “Then, I teach them the counter moves so that they can free themselves if necessary.”

“My end goal here is to promote the program,” he continued. “It is a not only a great way to stay in shape, but it can also be beneficial in an emergency situation.”

Following each session of combatives training, Soldiers of the DSC walk away with vital training, a great work out, and greater unit cohesion, said Staff Sgt. Timothy R. Brown, of Kansas City, Mo., a cable systems installer and maintainer for the company.

“It’s not really all about the combatives, but the camaraderie that’s built here,” said Blackwell.

• Date Taken: 09.03.2014
• Date Posted: 09.09.2014 12:39
• Story ID: 141568
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
• Hometown: GIG HARBOR, WA, US
• Hometown: KANSAS CITY, MO, US