Bring your skills to the mats

Photo By Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens | Army Capt. Manuel Rodriguez explains a grappling technique to Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew Martinez, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Raphael Santana and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Frances Pizarro during open mat time at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, April 23. The training is part of the Marine Corps Martial Arts program. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the Global War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

05.01.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Blair Heusdens 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba— From fitness classes to lap swimming, Marine Hill has a lot of options to help Joint Task Force Guantanamo and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay residents stay in shape. But if you're looking for a different approach to stay in shape while you learn to defend yourself, you can check out a lesser-known venue on Marine Hill for some action on the mats.

"Martial arts training is good because it incorporates your whole body to work on an objective as opposed to targeting just one muscle group," said Marine Corps Cpl. Miguel Machado, a martial arts instructor.

The Marine Hill "Dojo" is a large, gray building next to the Cardio Fitness Center on Marine Hill. Members of all services meet throughout the week to practice various martial arts techniques and learn from each other.

According to Army Capt. Manuel Rodriguez, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Headquarters and Headquarters Company commander, martial arts training should focus first on conditioning and technique and then on fighting and studying the positions that have been learned. In addition to physical benefits, martial arts training can help to improve personal confidence.

"Martial arts is not just about physical fitness, it also provides a lot of mental benefits," said Rodriguez.

For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2009
• Date Posted: 05.04.2009 10:15
• Story ID: 33160
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU