Photo By Sgt. Jean Sanon | Massachusetts Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Gerald Meuse, assigned to 1st Battalion,...... read more read more
CAMP SMITH, N.Y. - In a display of strength, agility, and technical prowess, 21 Soldiers and Airmen from New York and Massachusetts National Guard gathered to compete in the Minutemen Combative Competition at Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y., on Feb. 2 and 3, 2025.
The Minutemen Combative Competition is an annual event that promotes unit cohesion, physical fitness, and combat readiness among all participants. The competition is open to all National Guard members, and winners receive awards and recognition for their achievements.
The competition is a two-day event designed to test the service member’s skills in hand-to-hand combat, featuring a series of matches testing their proficiency in Modern Army Combative Program techniques, a military martial arts system taught to U.S. Soldiers in the Army by the 106th Regional Training Institute.
Massachusetts Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Gerald Meuse, assigned to 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, won in the lightweight division, while New York National Guard Maj. Joshua Bennet, assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, took the heavyweight prize.
New York Army National Guard Major George Curran, a member of the 153rd Troop command, was competing for his second year.
"We're proud to participate in this competition, showcasing our physical and mental toughness,” Curran said, “We have doubled the numbers of competitors this year with the Air National Guard participating, and many of the same faces coming back from last year."
The first day followed a bracket-style format, with the winners advancing to compete the following day. The matches were timed events of seven minutes as the participants faced off against each other in a controlled environment.
A panel of judges composed of certified combative instructors, scored the matches based on the combatant’s technique, aggression, and control on the mat.
In the lightweight division, Massachusetts Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Gerald Meuse, won his round, showing his impressive grappling skills and hand to hand striking techniques.
"I'm honored to represent the Massachusetts National Guard, I train regularly in martial arts,” Meuse said. "It's an honor to represent the army and show we can remain calm under pressure."
In the heavyweight division, New York National Guard Maj. Joshua Bennet, demonstrated his dominance, using his strength and agility to outmaneuver his opponents.
"I'm proud to have come out on top in the heavyweight division," Bennet said. " It was tough, but luckily, I have a good background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and striking, so many of the competitors were not ready for that even if they had 80 pounds on me."
Bennet said participating in the contest was well worth it.
“I encourage every Soldier and Airmen to participate in stuff like this, I think it's great for the military,” Bennet said. “It builds cohesion, readiness, and all the good things you want out of the military.”
| Date Taken: | 02.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.22.2025 13:47 |
| Story ID: | 491260 |
| Location: | CORTLANDT MANOR, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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