Our soldiers have each others backs on the battlefield, but this week they're fighting face-to-face.
Today was day two of Fort Hoods annual combatives tournament.
Enlisted and officer, male and female, soldiers are going hand-to-hand on the mat, but they're not fighting for their lives, but instead for bragging rights.
SSG Max Vanossenbruggen is one of 400 soldiers grappling for a spot on Fort Hood's combatives team.
"We're all real competitive at heart, so something like this definitely helps out with boosting morale," said Vanossenbruggen.
Modern Army Combatives started 17 years ago as training for Army Rangers and has since been expanded to prepare all soldiers, including women, to fight without weapons.
"It's really awesome to have a chance to actually fight with the males," said SPC Kaleea Watson after stepping off the mat.
III Corps Combatives Director Chris Perkins says it's training every soldier needs.
"You know we can't go to the Taliban and say hey could you please give me a female in this weight class, and they'll fight tomorrow for their life," Perkins said.
Each year, participation increases on Fort Hood and so does the skill level.
Fort Hood won the last two Army-wide competitions.
"People here have seen it. The chain of commands are supporting it and in return, the soldiers are becoming better, and so we're pretty much going to be the team to beat again," said Perkins.
The four day competition will progress from basic rules to more advanced fighting for Thursdays finals.
No matter who makes the final cut, SGT Vanossenbruggen says they'll have his support.
"We always like to cheer our buddies on and see some good stuff like this go down," he said.
16 competitors will be selected to represent Fort Hood in July, when the national championships take place on post.
Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com
Photographer: Chris Buford
