COB Adder’s combative program

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Courtney Anderson, a combative instructor with the 15th Transportation Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Los Angeles native, shows ground grappling techniques to Soldiers during the Level 1 Combative Course, Oct. 5, in Sprung Gym at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jorge Anaya)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IRAQ

10.04.2010

Courtesy Story

224th Sustainment Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq— Soldiers with the 40th Quartermaster Company, 110th Combat Service Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), are looking forward to their successful combative program instruction to be handed off following their redeployment in November, from Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.

“The combative program has always been here [at COB Adder], we just incorporated a few additional parts and training availability to reach more Soldiers than usual,” said Sgt. Trevor King, combative instructor with the 40th QM Company, and a Mobile, Ala., native, during the Level 1 Combative Course instruction, Oct. 4.

“When I took over the [combative] program, I wanted it to be very popular,” he said. “By providing more dates for training, it allowed more soldiers to take advantage and get Level 1 and Level 2 qualified. Trained soldiers are then more knowledgeable and are willing to take part in Fight Night. soldiers just wish to try what they learned in real-time and against an actual opponent.”

King said he wishes to see the combative program maintain its popularity, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan, as it provides Soldiers with entertainment and challenges not commonly found in a garrison environment.

“My goal doesn’t fall short of training every soldier available at COB Adder,” said Sgt. Courtney Anderson, combative instructor with the 15th Transportation Company, 110th CSSB, and a Los Angeles native. “Every soldier is entitled to learn defensive maneuvers, and it starts with the basics of fighting. So, I emphasize to every soldier, ‘Combative training is important because it’s a great skill to have.’ Afterward, the Soldier will decide to pursue further training.”

Anderson said he will make training available by providing his e-mail address and by advertising training in flyers with hopes of attracting big crowds and new fighters for future Fight Night events.

Soldiers with various units at COB Adder attend the combative course. Many attend to learn ground-grappling techniques; others go to train on specific areas they need to focus on, should they ever face an opponent.

“I am currently training in the combative program because it is something I want to do as an example to soldiers and a member of the Armed Forces,” said Capt. Megan McKinnon, an emergency room physician with the 86th Combat Support Hospital, 86th Medical Brigade, 807th Medical Command, and a Santa Barbara, Calif., native. “I am with the Army Reserves and currently work at Walter Reed Hospital, so opportunities such as this are not too common. This is great knowledge to have, [but] hopefully I never have to use it [in a real situation].”

• Date Taken: 10.04.2010
• Date Posted: 10.25.2010 09:00
• Story ID: 58739
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, IQ