Photo By Sgt. Fenton Reese | Cpl. Christopher B. Thorne of Headquarters Platoon, 4th Tank Battalion, Headquarters...... read more read more
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CAMP BLANDING, Fla. - A common reference among Marines is they are “lean, mean war fighting machines.” So, it is appropriate that one Marine would take that a step further.
Cpl. Christopher B. Thorne, a financial management resource analyst, of 4th Tank Battalion, Headquarters and Service Company, Detachment 4, out of Miami, Fla., takes his business so seriously, it’s also his hobby.
In his civilian life, the 27-year-old North Miami Beach, Fla., native is a featherweight, mixed martial arts fighter who trains with the mixed martial arts training organization, American Top Team.
“It’s definitely his passion… not quite his lifestyle yet, but he is working towards it,” said 1st Sgt. Carlos M. Murcia, inspector instructor first sergeant for the unit.
Thorne enlisted into the Marine Corps in 2002. Four years later he ended his active service and went into the Individual Ready Reserve.
The IRR is a category where an individual receives no pay and is not obligated to drill, conduct annual training, or participate in any military activities, except for periodic Muster activities until activated by Presidential Reserve Call-up authority, essentially a civilian.
After Thorne spent some time in the IRR, he transferred to the Select Marine Corps Reserve and came to this current unit.
“I wrestled in high school and won a state title,” said Thorne.
This is a spark that helped light the fire to my passion, said Thorne
Shortly after enlisting, he was soon introduced to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
He is avidly involved in the MCMAP program, and it has greatly benefited the morale and motivation of the unit, said Murcia, as he described the impact Thorne has on the unit through his dedication to his craft.
“When I started moving up in the belts in MCMAP, I started studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and then got into mixed martial arts,” he said.
“I fight as a way to satisfy my competitive side,” said Thorne. “Well there’s that…and to make extra money.”
Thorne had his first fight in 2007, and in that same year, after only two amateur bouts, he decided this would be his profession.
He still fights to this day.
| Date Taken: | 03.16.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2011 17:24 |
| Story ID: | 67190 |
| Location: | CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 267 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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