U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Justin Massey, a Georgia native and rifleman with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepares to engage simulated hostiles during urban operations training at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, July 31, 2025. 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, the ground combat element of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Alert Contingency MAGTF, and Combat Logistics Battalion 22, the logistics combat element of the SPMAGTF-ACM, conducted a deployment for training in order to maintain operational readiness and enhance overall unit cohesion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)
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.
