BY LILY GORDON - lgordon@ledger-enquirer.com

The 2010 Maneuver Center of Excellence Modern Army Combatives Tournament will kick off July 23 at the Smith Fitness Center on Dixie Road.Beginning at 9 a.m., more than 60 soldiers from Fort Benning and Fort Knox will take it to the mat to test their fighting skills. Active duty male and female service members attached to the MCoE are welcome to participate.

Two competitors from each of the eight weight divisions will represent the MCoE in the 2010 U.S. Army Championship Combatives Tournament scheduled for Sept. 30 through Oct. 3.
The public is invited to attend this free event. Parking is also free.

The Modern Army Combatives Program began in 1995. Today, basic combatives has been incorporated as one of the 40 warrior core tasks taught to thousands of basic training soldiers annually. Each year the U.S. Army Combatives School trains hundreds of leaders and soldiers in close quarters combatives to instill the Warrior Ethos and prepare soldiers to close with and defeat the enemy in hand to hand combat. These soldiers return to their units around the world to conduct training.

Tags: Benning