Photo By Capt. Gary Grantham | U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Aaron Dunn, left, and U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Hedrick Cintron...... read more read more
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DOUBLE EXCELLENCE: Victory on the Mat FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – In the demanding environment of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, two Army Reserve officers have found a unique way to enhance their readiness and build resilience. Majors Aaron Dunn and Hedrick Cintron, while serving in critical roles for the Army Reserve Command, have bonded over a shared passion that tests their physical and mental limits: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Their dedication recently culminated in winning first-place gold medals at the International BJJ Federation Atlanta Fall International Open, a journey that parallels their commitment as Soldiers and enriches it with powerful lessons in personal growth and community. Major Aaron Dunn: From Kickboxing to the Guard Pass For Major Aaron Dunn, an Operations Officer dedicated to ensuring Reserve Soldiers and units are “ready to fight”, the path to martial arts began long before he joined the Army. Born in Queens, NY, and raised in Wake Forest, NC, Dunn was inspired by his uncle, Wendell Dunn, a weightlifter and Karate enthusiast. This early introduction to physical discipline stuck with him, leading him through a decade of kickboxing and Muay Thai. Initially, his goal was to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and he saw BJJ as the final piece of the puzzle. Dunn officially began his BJJ journey in 2011 but went “all in” in 2020 as he was preparing for an overseas assignment. Now a blue belt with two stripes at the Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts (PAMA), he is on a steady path toward his purple belt. His military career, which spans 14 years, began with a commission as a Military Police Officer from North Carolina A&T State University's ROTC program. Having deployed to Afghanistan in 2016 and Special Operations in 2021-22, Dunn understands the importance of being prepared. He applies the same mindset to his BJJ training. "Watching other people fight, within UFC or at tournaments has been helpful," Dunn explains. "It’s a lot of trial and error of finding what works and doesn’t. Constant reevaluation and consistency are key," he emphasizes. This philosophy directly translates to his role in improving unit readiness, where he identifies areas for improvement to ensure Soldiers and their equipment are deployable. Dunn admits that it was Cintron that encouraged him to step into the competitive world of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) league. After some convincing, Dunn dove in and won his first tournament- alongside Cintron. Major Hedrick Cintron: A Father's Legacy and the H2F Connection Major Hedrick Cintron’s connection to martial arts is a multigenerational family affair. Originally from Junction City, Kansas, he grew up with a father, Felipe Cintron—a proud Puerto Rican, U.S. Soldier, and Karate black belt whose emphasis on physical fitness and self-defense shaped Hedrick’s path. That legacy continues today in the Cintron household: his wife and their two sons all train and compete alongside him, making weekend tournaments a full family operation. A 20-year Army veteran and graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy, Cintron commissioned as an Armor Officer and later transitioned to Logistics. Today, he serves as the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) System Manager for the U.S. Army Reserve. Cintron’s martial foundation started in Kansas, training at Kansas City BJJ, the Gracie Academy, and The Combative Sports Center. His kept up with training at every opportunity- during a 2020 deployment to Afghanistan, he spent his downtime teaching BJJ to fellow Soldiers and Marines. Cintron’s competitive career truly accelerated when he moved to North Carolina and joined Team Casarez. Training under Professor Tony Casarez—himself a highly accomplished competitor—Cintron honed his skills. He earned his Brown Belt in 2025 following back-to-back victories at the New York and Atlanta Open IBJJF tournaments. For Cintron, there are similarities between the bonds made in the gym and those in the Army Reserve and this view guides his work on the Army’s H2F program. “The physical domain in H2F is simple: find something, anything, that is physical, you enjoy doing, and has some sort of community. Something you aren’t doing alone,” Cintron explains. “That shared suffering, learning, and growing- very similar to basic training and deployments, that is where lifelong friendships are made. You’re on the mat, sweating and struggling all types- doctors, software engineers, teachers, and construction workers. We all leave our titles at the door, and that builds a unique community that extends well beyond the gym." A Partnership Forged in Mutual Respect The two Majors met at work when Dunn noticed Cintron's collection of BJJ belts and medals at his desk. A conversation sparked by this shared interest quickly grew into a strong friendship. While they train at different gyms—Cintron at Team Casarez BJJ and Dunn at PAMA—they make it a point to visit each other's training grounds and support one another at tournaments. “We spoke the same language immediately,” says Cintron. “We coordinate our tournament schedules and travel together. Even though we’re at different schools, having another active competitor right here at headquarters keeps us both accountable. We analyze each other’s matches and push the pace. It’s good to have that brotherhood right down the hall." For Dunn, the positive community is one of the most significant benefits. This supportive network, he believes, is foundational for positive mental health. “Everyone at the gym is humble, helpful, and just working together to get better,” he says. Major Dunn and Cintron exemplify a modern approach to soldiering. As they prepare for their next match at the June 2026 Spring Open in Charlotte, NC, they continue to model principles they learned in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking. They show that these concepts, combined with friendship are essential for holistic success both in and out of uniform.
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2026 13:26 |
| Story ID: | 560303 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | ASTORIA/QUEENS/NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Hometown: | WAKE FOREST, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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