By Sgt. Andrew H. Owen
Virginia Guard Public Affairs

RICHMOND, Va. When Staff Sgt. Matt Stemmler, an instructor at the 1st Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, wrestled in eighth grade, he had no idea he would get the opportunity to compete in the 2010 Army National Guard Combatives Championship at Fort Benning, Ga., more than a decade later. Having just completed the U.S. Armys Modern Army Combative School, Level Three at Fort Benning, Stemmler is training to do just that.

The 110th FW Military Combatives Program is still in its developmental stages, yet still gaining interest around the base. We recently added 1800 sq.ft. of open mat space for supervised training as well as sending one of our instructors to the Level II instructor course in Springfield, IL. We would like to start conducting training for our members, but need your feedback as far as times that would work best. There are still many of our members that don’t know what Military Combatives involves. If you have any questions, please contact SrA Ruel Taylor, 110th Military Combatives Program Manager.