Soldiers complete Black Belt training in Iraq

Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan Matson | Staff Sgt. John H. Yi, a second-degree blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, writes down comments as he grades one of his student for their blackbelt certficate. Yi taught the class Tae Kwon Do techniques so they can test for their officially-sanctioned blackbelt when they return to the U.S.  

05.01.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Ryan Matson 

101st Combat Aviation Brigade

Sgt. Ryan Matson
101st Combat Aviation Brigade

Soldiers in Iraq have various methods of passing the time after work during a long deployment.

A group of eight Soldiers on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, found a way to spend their downtime productively. Now they are undergoing testing for a result they can wear " a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

"It usually takes a year to complete the training to earn the right to test for your blackbelt," Staff Sgt. John H. Yi, Company E, 1st Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, a second-degree blackbelt and certified Tae Kwon Do instructor who trained under Master Dae Sung Lee, a former U.S. Tae Kwon Do National Team coach.

Yi tested his first student, Staff Sgt. Jose G. Ulloa-Avelar, Company D, 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, April 15 in a small room the 101 CAB Morale Welfare and Recreation center in which the class meets. Including Ulloa-Avelar, eight students will test for the black belt, which signifies maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon Do.

"I always wanted to participate in a martial art, but I always made excuses," Ulloa-Avelar said. "Once I found out the MWR was offering a Tae Kwon Do course and that it was free, I made a promise to myself not to make excuses. This is a big step toward my certification to become a blackbelt."

Yi provided the students with the training to become a blackbelt " now they need only to take the test through a certified academy when they return to the United States. The academies are certified through the Tae Kwon Do headquarters in Korea, where the martial art originated more than two centuries ago. All students who pass the blackbelt testing in the MWR course will receive a certificate signed by the MWR and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.

Yi said testing for the blackbelt consisted of a written, general knowledge portion, testing on movements (forms), a self defense techniques portion, a portion on kihap, or focusing one's emotion and energy, a free sparring segment and a board-breaking segment. Yi said he watches for students balance, coordination and correct technique during forms as well as speed and accuracy when grading strikes and kicks.

Because of the extremely high level of motivation of his students, Yi said they have learned skills which usually take a year to master and are testing after only seven months of training.

"Many times I would be tired after work and not really feel like coming in to instruct after that," Yi admitted. "But these guys were so motivated, it's all them, they want to learn so badly. To learn the amount of things they have in this short an amount of time shows a tremendous amount of dedication on their part. My commander and first sergeant supported this program from the very beginning, and my students and I are very appreciative of that fact."

There are 15 students in the class. Eight will be black belts pending the testing and school certification. Yi's class also has two white belts, or beginners, and five green belts. The other seven Soldiers testing this month for their blackbelts are Maj. Carl Casey, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Staff Sgt. Ryan I. Hilfrick, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Sgt. Tanner Lane Richey, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Pfc. Ashton Harris, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Spc. Wyman Zack, Company D, 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, Staff Sgt. Clinton Stone, 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron, and Pfc. Sammy Mao, Company E, 1st Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.

When the group returns to the U.S., Yi said they plan to continue to meet to train.

Ulloa-Avelar said he had another reason for learning Tae Kwon Do - to teach his kids.

"I want to teach my kids; it's something fun we can do together," he said. "You learn teamwork working with the group, discipline and physical conditioning."

• Date Taken: 05.01.2006
• Date Posted: 05.01.2006 13:31
• Story ID: 6193