In the center of a sun-filled supply bay in a motor pool near Sheridan Gym, 10 soldiers grunted and sweated on yellow and black mats as they worked on their grappling moves.

"They're practicing hard to perfect their ground games," said Sgt. 1st Class David Jones, the senior instructor at Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Combatives Academy, as he watched the soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. "They have to think through every move."

Standing nearby was 1st Sgt. Jeff Jackson, the commandant of the Warrior Training Academy.

"I am enthused about this," Jackson commented as he watched the soldiers train.  "This should be a very good tournament."

The JBLM Combatives Tournament will be held at the Wilson Fitness Center.  Weigh-ins will be Aug. 29. Preliminary and semifinal bouts are scheduled for Aug. 30 and 31, and the championship rounds will be held Sept. 1.

Approximately 140 soldiers and a handful of airmen have entered to compete in the seven classes, ranging from flyweight to heavyweight. First and second place finishers will travel to Fort Benning, Ga., to compete in the All-Army tournament.

Combatives is another term for hand-to-hand fighting.  It encompasses various techniques from conventional martial arts to combat sports.  The focus is on self-defense and techniques.

In 2001, Sgt. 1st Class Matt Larsen established the United States Army Combatives School at Fort Benning, Ga.

All soldiers are taught techniques from the 2002 version of Field Manual 3-25.150.  The regimen focuses on small, easily repeatable drills. Soldiers can avail themselves to four different levels of training.

Level I emphasizes the basics; Levels II and III build on the basics; Level IV provides master trainers.

The purpose of the training is to educate soldiers on how to protect themselves against threats without using their weapons, to provide a non-lethal response to situations on the battlefield, and to instill the warrior instinct in order to fight effectively.

Sgt. Jacob Foster demonstrated his knowledge of the small, easily repeatable drills on Spc. Terry Burris.

"Come on, move your arm this way and put it against my jaw," gasped Foster as Burris held him down and tried to figure out his next move.

Sweat pouring from his brow and down onto Foster's face, Burris took a second too long to make up his mind.

In an instant, Foster broke Burris' hold, rolled and had him in a leg lock.

"Think while you fight," said Foster with a smile on his face.

On another section of mat, Spc. Derek May and Spc. Garrett Hamilton ran through a variety of moves.

"Signing up for the competition seems like a fun thing to do," commented Hamilton as he caught his breath.  "I like to grapple."

For more information about the JBLM Combatives Tournament, call (253) 968-6885.