U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment breach a doorway during a demolition range at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 28, 2025. 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines, the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Alert Contingency MAGTF, conducted a demolition range to improve the battalion’s ability to clear obstacles and familiarize Marines with different types of explosive charges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)
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.
