Photo By Sgt. Javier Amador | U.S. Army Pfc. Gerralle Postell delivers a blow to U.S. Army Sgt. Jennifer Bryant,...... read more read more
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KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan -The tension was palpable as the two Soldiers moved around the ring, looking for any opportunity to strike. After making sure both fighters were ready, the referee gave the signal and with the surrounding crowd cheering, the boxing smoker at Assistance Platform Clark, Afghanistan was on.
The boxing smoker consisted of eight, three-round bouts with each round lasting three minutes. The boxers were organized by size and skill level, an approach slightly different from the traditional boxing weight classes such as light-weight, welter weight which are purely size based.
“There were no weight classes; the opponents were matched up based on similar weights and skill classes,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Freddie Hendrickson, the platoon leader for 3rd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment. 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). “These were determined by conducting a skills test and weigh-in prior to the event.”
The bouts were fought on an improvised boxing ring at the AP Clark basketball court. It was built by the Spartan Soldiers of 3rd Plt., Bravo Btry. B, 4th Bn., 25th FA Regt., using some padded mats and anything else they could source locally. The result was an event which generated excitement for the Spartan Soldiers.
“The Soldiers were very excited about the event,” said Hendrickson. “The event had AP Clark buzzing with talk about who will win .”
The event was more than just a way to allow the Soldiers an opportunity to cope with stress. It gave them an opportunity to practice striking techniques they will apply later as they work their way through the Army’s Combatives Program’s different levels of hand –to-hand combat proficiency. As an added bonus, it allowed them to bond as a unit.
“U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Randall McComb and U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Travis Wheat decided to conduct a follow- on event to our popular combatives level one program and to promote the esprit de corps within Task Force Wolfpack,” said Hendrickson.
The Soldiers welcomed the physical challenge of competition with their fellow Soldiers and everyone who participated had their own personal strategy going into their bout. For U.S. Army Spc. Kenny Mendez, the armorer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Bn., 25th FA Regt., it was all about pacing and patience.
“I didn’t want to go too hard in the beginning, and I wanted to work my jab,” said Mendez, who ended up winning the main fight in the event. Mendez also reinforced a lesson all Soldiers learn as they go through their careers:. how to face a difficult situation and overcome it despite feeling like they cannot go on.
“I learned how to fight against adversity. It was hard and I took a few shots but I couldn’t show my opponent any weakness,” said Mendez.
For other Soldiers , such as Pfc. Dalton Pollan, the night fires operator for the 4th Bn., 25th FA Regt., the bouts gave him an opportunity to test himself physically and mentally and by doing so, found he could endure more than he thought .
“I learned I could keep going and push through,” said Pollan.
Win or lose, everyone who participated in the experience expressed their enjoyment and hopes for the boxing smoker to become a regular event.
“It really boosts morale; it got people away from day to day business and gave people something to look forward to,” said Pfc. Wesley Elston, a command post terminal operator also with the 4th Bn., 25th FA Regt.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2014 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 127744 |
| Location: | KHOST PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 576 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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