Photo By Staff Sgt. Bruno Bego | Sgt. James W. Bridger (left), an engineer equipment operator with 2nd Marine Logistics...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines have distinguished themselves in the theater of war since 1775, however, their combat nature and warrior ethos extend far beyond the battle ground.
Five members of the Camp Lejeune Grappling Team demonstrated that when they received two belts, four gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal during a North America Grappling Association tournament in Charlotte, N.C., June 2.
Sgt. James W. Bridger, an engineer equipment operator with 2nd Marine Logistics Group and a member of the team, explained his experience at the tournament.
“Nobody on this team who participated in the tournament left without a medal for the division they competed in,” stated Bridger, who earned the gold medal in the intermediate division that day. “But we are not out here to just go to tournaments and win medals - we love the sport and we put a lot of training hours into it.”
The Marines went against nearly 500 other competitors from different martial arts schools around the United States. They participated in the following divisions: novice, beginner, intermediate and expert.
Master Sgt. Edward J. Raimo, the organics chief with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd MLG, and the team’s noncommissioned officer-in-charge, explained the medals received are the direct result of a lot of effort, training and dedication put into the sport by the Marines on the team.
“When we train, we are not doing it to go out and fight other people out in town,” Raimo explained. “In every session we give everything we’ve got, and that reflects on our performance when we go to a tournament and win.”
Raimo explained the members of the team also embrace the warrior ethos of honor, courage and commitment in their daily lives as Marines and as martial artists.
“My guys don’t get in trouble,” Raimo concluded. “Training here is more important to them than to go out and party. We take the Marine Corps and our sport very seriously.”
The Camp Lejeune Grappling Team is a Marine Corps Community Services sponsored organization run by Marines. The team is open to any service member who would like to train and learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at no cost.
Editor’s note: For more information, stop by one of their training sessions at Building 500, across from the Mainside consolidated post office. The training hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
| Date Taken: | 06.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2012 17:17 |
| Story ID: | 89467 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 282 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Marines tackle grappling tournament, earn medals, by SSgt Bruno Bego, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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