U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Luke Gatewood, left, and Cpl. William Verdirame, both reconnaissance Marines with Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, fire a M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System during an unknown distance course of fire as part of Advanced Sniper Course 26-2 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 11, 2026. ASC is designed to train personnel in the marksmanship skills necessary to conduct sniper operations in support of 26th MEU’s upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jesse Davis)
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Martial arts and combative sports are a skillset many people use for various ways. Some want to learn how to defend themselves in case they are ever attacked. Others have been involved in these sports for years and compete professionally. For U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Copeland, the fire and effects coordination center chief at the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), martial arts and combative sports taught him how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
Copeland grew up in a small town in Minnesota . Even when he was younger, he always found himself being told he couldn’t participate in challenging sports because of his smaller stature compared to the rest of the kids around him.
“I just...
SOUDA BAY, Greece – U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), embarked aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) conducted advanced ARG/MEU readiness sustainment training, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Feb. 16-20, 2024.
