501st SBDE Soldiers place in the 8th Army Combatives Tournament

Photo By Ferdinand Detres Jr | Soldiers stationed throughout the Korean peninsula took part in the Eighth Army combatives tournament May 2 at Collier Gym, United States Army Garrison, Yongsan. The annual combatives tournament had 53 participants compete in seven separate divisions; flyweight, lightweight, welter, middle, cruiser, light-heavy and heavy weight. This year three Soldiers from the 501st Sustainment Brigade, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command placed in the event. Spc. Darren Barnett, a signal support specialist, 55th Military Police Company, 501st SBDE, 19th ESC, took first place in the lightweight division.  

YONGSAN GARRISON, 11, SOUTH KOREA

05.02.2015

Story by Sgt. Ferdinand Detres Jr 

501st Sustainment Brigade

YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea - Soldiers stationed throughout the Korean peninsula took part in the Eighth Army combatives tournament May 2 at Collier Gym, United States Army Garrison, Yongsan.

The annual combatives tournament had 53 participants compete in seven separate divisions; flyweight, lightweight, welter, middle, cruiser, light-heavy and heavy weight.

This year three Soldiers from the 501st Sustainment Brigade, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command placed in the event.

Spc. Darren Barnett, a signal support specialist, 55th Military Police Company, 501st SBDE, 19th ESC, took first place in the lightweight division.

Barnett a native of, Wellsville New York, is not new to winning combative tournaments. In 2010 he placed eighth in the All Army combatives tournament; also a two time Fort Riley champion and a Ft. Hood champion in 2013, all in the lightweight division.

"I have done combatives and mixed martial arts long before joining the Army," said Barnett, speaking of his tactics in winning the fight. "I tried to be smart and not do anything fancy if I had any doubt something wouldn't work, I didn't go for it."

Pfc. Finney Brandon, a light-wheeled mechanic, 551st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 501st SBDE, 19th ESC, took third place in the welter weight division.

Sgt. Carter Christopher, a supply specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 498th CSSB, 501st SBDE, 19th ESC, took third place in the heavy weight division.

Staff Sgt. Jesus Cortez, 501st SBDE represented the Champions Brigade and the 19th ESC in the middleweight division.

Sgt. Brandon Charniak, 501st SBDE represented the Champions Brigade and the 19th ESC in the cruiser weight division.

Spc. Arthur Coley, 551st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 498th CSSB, 501st SBDE, 19th ESC, represented said units in the light-heavy weight division.

Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux, commander, 8th U.S. Army, along with Command Sgt.Maj. Edward Mitchell, command sergeant major, 8th U.S. Army, were present to hand out the winners their medallions and also presented the overall winner, 2nd Infantry Division with the overall championship trophy.

Champoux said, "This event was not just a combatives tournament, but it show cased the necessary skills Soldiers might use in a real hand to hand combat situation."

The Eighth Army command team wanted to thank all the participants, sponsors and support from those in attendance.

• Date Taken: 05.02.2015
• Date Posted: 05.05.2015 05:32
• Story ID: 162233
• Location: YONGSAN GARRISON, 11, KR