Photo By Pfc. Summer Parish | U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division poses for a photo after the...... read more read more
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FORT BENNING, Ga.- Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division competed at the 2023 Lacerda Cup, an annual all-Army combatives tournament at Sgt. 1st Class. Paul R. Smith gym, Fort Benning, April 10-13, 2023. XVIII Airborne Corps, won the team championship event April 13, 2023.
This three-day tournament was divided into different portions. The first two days were knock out rounds, and the last day was the championship rounds to see who would place. Soldiers competed in eight different weight classes, where they were put against one another in hand-to-hand combat.
The Soldier’s Creed states “I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America, in close combat.” This competition tested competitors’ ability to abide by this part of the creed.
Combatives isn’t just a competition; it is part of being a Soldier. The mission of the U.S. Army combatives course is to train Leaders and Soldiers in close combat in order to ensure the Warrior Ethos and prepare Soldiers to engage with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.
“The defining characteristics of a warrior is the willingness to close with the enemy,” said Matt Larson, the combative director of West Point. “That’s what the warrior ethos means.”
The Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP) started in 1995 with the 2nd Ranger Battalion and is now wide-spread all through-out the Army. A committee was formed and headed by Larsen to develop a more effective program. As the program advanced in complexity, its achievement caused it to expand beyond the battalion. Initially, the training was extended to the rest of the Ranger Regiment, then it was adopted by the whole infantry, and eventually, when the new Field Manual 3-25.150 (2002), authored by Matt Larsen, was released, it was adopted as standard practice by the entire Army.
“We have better fighters throughout the Army because of combative competitions,” said Larsen.
Competitions bring together Soldiers to be all they can be. Soldiers will strive to push themselves and each other during a competition. They promote spirit, unity, and growth. It challenges you mentally and physically.
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2023 13:26 |
| Story ID: | 442635 |
| Location: | FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 811 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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