U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aldo Amaro, a distribution specialist with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to submerge in a modular amphibious egress trainer during underwater egress training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 17, 2025. UET provides Marines and sailors with the 26th MEU SPMAGTF-ACM with opportunities to build the skills and confidence to safely egress from an aircraft or vehicle submerged in water. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Martial arts and combative sports are a skillset many people use for various ways. Some want to learn how to defend themselves in case they are ever attacked. Others have been involved in these sports for years and compete professionally. For U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Copeland, the fire and effects coordination center chief at the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), martial arts and combative sports taught him how to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
Copeland grew up in a small town in Minnesota . Even when he was younger, he always found himself being told he couldn’t participate in challenging sports because of his smaller stature compared to the rest of the kids around him.
“I just...
