Photo By Staff Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo | A 2nd Infantry Division Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Division Soldier attempts a...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo
2ID/RUCD Public Affairs
CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – “We need to use our hands as weapons and be able to defend ourselves and continue fighting without ammo,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Phil K. Barretto, Aiea, Hawaii native, command sergeant major, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division.
Thirty-six Warriors from across 2ID/RUCD answered Barretto’s challenge, squared up and fought during the first Friday Night Fights combatives tournament, May 10, at Sitman Physical Fitness Center.
Friday Night Fights is a weight division based combatives tournament open to willing competitors.
“This event is about bringing 2ID Soldiers together on a Friday night and keeping them proficient in the Modern Army Combatives Program,” said Sgt. Maj. Mario Barber, operations sergeant major, 2ID/RUCD. “They’re building confidence to go out, close in on, and destroy the enemy.
“Events like this build resiliency and confidence in each other, and it builds their readiness as well as the camaraderie and esprit de corps across the division,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew R. Dillon, Christiansburg, Virginia native, operations NCO and event organizer, 2ID/RUCD. “If the Soldier has the confidence to go out there with someone they don’t know and overcome the fear of being in hand-to-hand combat with that individual, it’s going to build resilience.”
Soldiers who competed in the tournament walked away sweaty and exhausted but eager for more.
“I talked to the guy I went against, and we discussed what we’d done. You learn from it,” said Pfc. Brandon Westbrook, multiple launch rocket system operator, 210th Field Artillery Brigade. “I want to win. I’ll keep training and get ready for next week.”
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2019 04:16 |
| Story ID: | 322453 |
| Location: | PYEONGTAEK, KR |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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