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JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — The East Side Main Gym Combatives room a t Joint Base Balad was dedicated to Master Sgt. Jonathan F. Napier, the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) communications chief, in a ceremony held, July 31, at the gym.
Napier, a certified level 4 instructor who studied combatives for nine years, ran the Modern Army Combatives Program here for the past 14 months. The renaming and dedication of the combatives room commemorated Napier's hard work and commitment to excellence.
As a former drill sergeant, Napier is no stranger to teaching the combatives program.
"I see a need for it and Soldiers want to do it," he said.
Napier is scheduled to redeploy back to Fort Knox Ky., where he has been selected to fill the slot of first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d ESC.
Spc. Nigel Davis, along with Capt. Carlos Comas, both of the 80th Ordnance Battalion HHC, will take control of the combatives program on Joint Base Balad after Napier returns to Fort Knox.
They will hold level 1 classes three weeks a month as well as level 2 classes. Although it is an Army program, it is available to Air Force, Navy and Marines as well, Davis said.
"I believe this program is set up to make you a better Soldier and make you realize what you swore in to do, which is serve your country," Davis said.
"As Soldiers come and go, this program will impact thousands."
Zharko Popovski, Morale, Welfare and Recreation supervisor for the East Side Main Gym, expressed his respect and appreciation for Napier. He said the MWR put Napier's name on the room because everyone who uses the combatives room will follow in Napier's footprints.
"Master Sgt. Napier in the house, forever!" Papovski said.
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2009 09:57 |
| Story ID: | 37636 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 391 |
| Downloads: | 142 |
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