Referees confer before the start of an Army combatives tournament March 19, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The Army combatives program involves routine training and fighting to achieve specific skill levels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro)

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Two soldiers grapple during an Army combatives tournament March 19, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The competition involves competitors facing off against each other, in an effort to make the other submit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro)

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Two soldiers grapple during an Army combatives tournament March 19, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The competition involves competitors facing off against each other, in an effort to make the other submit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro)

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A soldier drinks water after her combatives fight March 19, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The tournament fighting classes are determined by weight and feature intergender matchups. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro)

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Soldiers discuss strategy before an upcoming combatives match March 19, 2014, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The tournament in March was a qualifying tournament for the larger combatives matchup peninsula wide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Barreiro)

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Army Combatives Tournament

Published April 10, 2014
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Combatives, also known as close quarters combat, stems from World War II, where soldiers were taught to to fight in close quarters, without weapons if necessary. This training and method of combat is still practiced by service men and women. In training, students are taught basic grappling techniques, submission holds and other methods of fighting.. The Army also routinely holds combative tournaments. In March, they held a qualifying tournament in the base high school's gymnasium.