EASTOVER, S.C. – Nearly 20 soldiers competed in the first-ever South Carolina National Guard Level I Combatives Tournament, held, Nov. 19-20, at the McCrady Training Center. The event was an opportunity for troops to get together in one location and compete while also continuing to train on skills they have previously learned.
“You can think of this as a culminating training event,” said Maj. Andrew Johnson, executive officer, Pre-Mobilization Training Assistance Element and coordinator of the tournament.
“I like to compare it to Basic Rifle Marksmanship where everyone learns basic individual skills,” Johnson said. “In Combatives training, we start with basic skills. Soldiers learn how to deal with a threat one-on-one. Then they learn about dealing with multiple threats and even working together as a team. This event fosters competition, esprit de corps, and makes them even more confident in their skills.”
Soldiers learn basic fighting skills as they go through Basic Combat Training, but combatives courses take that basic knowledge to another level according to Johnson. Soldiers never know when they may need a “less than lethal” option on hand.
“Many of our new soldiers have never been in a fight before,” said Johnson. “So this training prepares them to accomplish their missions regardless of the situation and also gives them another option rather than only a lethal one. By the time they complete level-one training, they can fight another person and expect to prevail. If they engage with an enemy combatant in the field, our guys are expected to win.”
Additionally, the combatives tournament also determined who would go to the National combatives competition. Those who came out on top here will be at the top of the list to compete for the South Carolina National Guard at the National Guard Tournament held every year at Fort Benning, Ga.
“Last year, there were only a few guys from the South Carolina National Guard who competed in the National Guard Tournament,” said 1st Lt. John Bryant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Mortar Platoon, 118th Inf. Bn. “There were some states who had 14 or more people competing. We are close to Fort Benning, so there is no reason why we shouldn’t have a good team from South Carolina competing. And I’m excited to help that go forward.”
Bryant mentioned that aside from the physical benefits of learning combatives, the training also imparts poise to those who take part.
“This training, without question, gives soldiers more confidence,” said Bryant. “You have guys who haven’t played sports like wrestling or football and it gives them confidence in themselves. There are also situations where soldiers are clearing a building or in close-quarters combat, and this gives you another option other than just pulling the trigger.”
According to Johnson, combatives are skills you’re not born knowing – they have to be taught and learned.
“This is a one-of-a-kind training program in South Carolina,” said Johnson. “It is a basic warrior fighting skills training program. This event is just as much training as one of our Level I, II, III or IV that is taught at Fort Benning. This is not just for fun, it is a part of wearing the uniform.”
However, even with all of the benefits, participation and outcomes of the tournament, Johnson had hoped more females would have taken part.
“I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t have any female competitors,” said Johnson. “There’s no male war and female war, there’s just war. You can’t just say I’m not going to fight today. A fight may find you. So we are looking to have an equal representation of the percent of females that we have in the Guard.”
Finally, though combatives is designed for use during military actions, the training is designed to turn fear into confidence and is a skill that also be used in the civilian world.
“I can’t tell you how versatile this skill is, because it’s how to deal with another human being,” Johnson added. “Those guys who have never been in a fight, I’m sure they live in fear of what would I do if my life was on the line and I really had to fight. This (combatives) takes that fear out of the picture.”