Hats off to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Combatives Team.

During the three-day 2011 U.S. Army Combatives Championship held last week at Fort Hood, Texas, the JBLM team took fifth place out of ten teams.

Fort Hood's team took first place for the second year in a row. More than 400 Soldiers from around the world participated in the competition. The tournament featured eight weight classes, from bantamweight at 110 pounds and under to heavyweight at 206 pounds and over.  The event was non-gender, which meant that female Soldiers fought male Soldiers in their respective weight classes.

"Our team did an excellent job at the tournament," 1st Sgt. Jeff Jackson, commandant, Warrior Training Academy, wrote in an e-mail.

"This is the second time we have competed during my tenure here, and there has been a definite improvement."

This competition was no walk in the park.

Some of the competitors fought more than ten bouts during the tournament.  Jackson pointed out that by the final day of the match, some fighters were limping into the cage for their bout.

"I don't think some people realize how tough this competition is and the level of stamina, physical strength, skill and intestinal fortitude it takes to be a winner," Jackson said.

JBLM Spc. Aaron Jackson emerged the winner of the heavyweight division. This is the second time he has earned the title.

"Our JBLM Soldiers showed a remarkable improvement at the intermediate and advanced rules fighting level," Jackson added. "What these Soldiers are doing here is amazing."