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BAMBERG, Germany ― For the Modern Army Combatives Program, practice makes perfect. On June 25, Soldiers from the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command practiced and perfected their combatives skills during the Bavarian Open Combatives Tournament in Hohenfels, Germany.
Among those who competed from the 16th Sust. Bde. was petroleum systems technician Warrant Officer Anthony Stevens.
“It was a competitive tournament,” said Stevens, who also took first place in the heavyweight class.
Although a smaller tournament compared to some of the other tournaments Stevens has competed in, he still valued the competition and especially the training, he said.
“I really enjoy the training along with the camaraderie and, of course, getting in shape,” Stevens said. “Physically, it makes you fit and gives you confidence in case you ever need to use hand-to-hand combat in any environment. Mentally, it keeps you focused and prepared to adapt to any situation.”
Sgt. Omar Ramirez, a transportation management coordinator with the 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sust. Bde., who placed first in the welterweight class at the BOCT, echoed Stevens’ opinions on the value of the MACP. After extolling the value of sharing “blood and sweat” amongst Soldiers, Ramirez also praised the mental and physical benefits of MACP.
“Mentally you have to be ready to overcome the fear of getting hit and physically you really need to be in shape,” Ramirez said.
Competitions like the BOCT help promote the MACP, Stevens said.
Tournaments are a way to showcase the benefits of participating in combatives.
“They kind of serve as a small or local advertisement to Soldiers who may not already have an interest in combatives, but are looking to get stronger and more fit physically and mentally. This kind of tournament previews how combatives can accomplish that for them,” Stevens said.
In addition to Stevens and Ramirez placing at the BOCT, other 16th Sust. Bde. Soldiers also placed, including Sgt. Tyson Ornelas, a chemical operations specialist with the 12th Chemical Company, 18th Combat Sust. Support Bn., who took third in the welterweight class. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marshall Goodman, a unit maintenance technician with the 23rd Ordnance Co., 18th CSSB, took second in the cruiserweight class. And Pfc. Kevin Repass, a motor transport operator with the 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Co., 18th CSSB, and Spc. Jeremy Koehn, a chemical operations specialist with the 12th Chemical Co., respectively took first and second in the light heavyweight class.
