Army Combatives Competition

USMCGrunt

10-Year Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2010
Messages
3,490
Very interesting video on the Army's Combatives competition at Ft. Bragg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkzD3x4TN8o

Brings to mind many of the boxing "smokers" I attended over the years. These events can be a great motivator and team builder for units.

On the other hand, I was always a little conflicted when you pull guys out to focus solely on competition (rifle/ pistol teams, sports, etc). There has to be some balance on the goal of achieving elite competitors and unit/ branch pride and remembering the job everyone is ultimately training to do.

I would rather see the skill (marksmanship, hand-to-hand, other) worked throughout the organization so that the entire organization rises in awareness and skillset. Have tournaments where the best compete but stop short of forming full-time competitors. Sure, the competition won't be as good but that shouldn't be the goal anyway.
 
Agree to a point. Outfits like the marksmanship team at Benning or any of the WCAP teams are great recruiting tools, and the numbers aren't so great that it detracts from readiness. I always enjoy seeing athletes at the Olympics that are also soldiers. It showcases that we've got some pretty impressive talent in the ranks.
 
Agree to a point. Outfits like the marksmanship team at Benning or any of the WCAP teams are great recruiting tools, and the numbers aren't so great that it detracts from readiness. I always enjoy seeing athletes at the Olympics that are also soldiers. It showcases that we've got some pretty impressive talent in the ranks.

Me too! That is why I am conflicted on this - I take great pride when I see a military member of the Olympic team or whatever. And it is great recruiting just like the bands, etc. - all of these showcase events appeal to a certain segment of the general population.
 
I'm not quite sure about the combatives, but the Army marksmanship unit does quite a bit more than just shoot competitions, though I do understand what you were saying Grunt. The AMU does a lot of training soldiers, developing new techniques and weapon systems, and then recruiting.
 
On the other hand, I was always a little conflicted when you pull guys out to focus solely on competition (rifle/ pistol teams, sports, etc). There has to be some balance on the goal of achieving elite competitors and unit/ branch pride and remembering the job everyone is ultimately training to do.

Can't speak for the whole AMU, but I knew a AMU member, officer, that won an Olympic bronze medal, that had a normal military career. It's normal for Army officers to spent some time away from troops.
 
Outstanding video, and outstanding competition. These are the types of athletic events in the military that should never be cut back due to funding issues.
 
Outstanding video, and outstanding competition. These are the types of athletic events in the military that should never be cut back due to funding issues.

Yeah, where would we be without our niche trophy competitions?
 
Yeah, where would we be without our niche trophy competitions?

More prepared to fight and win than if we only funded less role-relevant sports instead?

In a perfect world with unlimited budgets we would want it all right? But I don't know many folks who live there. So if we have to make a choice , seems to me competitions like Best Ranger, Crossfit, Spartan Warrior, Combat Shooting, Adventure Racing, Combatives, etc etc should not be the ones on the chopping block.
 
Last edited:
More prepared to fight and win than if we only funded less role-relevant sports instead?

In a perfect world with unlimited budgets we would want it all right? But I don't know many folks who live there. So if we have to make a choice , seems to me competitions like Best Ranger, Crossfit, Spartan Warrior, Combat Shooting, Adventure Racing, Combatives, etc etc should not be the ones on the chopping block.

If the choice is between operational capability, training dollars, or sports competitions, the latter of the three goes first.
 
Did you mean to say the "former". The latter would be sports competitions in your sentence if I correctly remember my grammar.
 
Did you mean to say the "former". The latter would be sports competitions in your sentence if I correctly remember my grammar.

That's exactly what I meant. Sports competitions are the first to go.

Though technically I should've said "among" and not between.
 
I still need to learn how to read. I originally thought you were stating that sports COME first. I agree with you that sports have the least importance compared to the other two categories.
I may swear off sports completely after enduring another Army fumble in a crucial situation last Saturday.
 
Back
Top