SoldierGround Forum >> Army Times

I just finished writing a letter to the editor of Army Times for running Michelle Tan's article about the tournament next to that BS article about bar fighting. I am asking all of you to do the same. Remember that you don't want to sound petty, just offended by the association with drunken brawlers. here is my letter. "I am writing to express my dismay at the decision of the Army Times editors in running Michelle Tan's excellent article on the Army Combatives Championships on the same page as Andrew deGrandpre's claptrap about drunken brawling. It is unfortunate that the Army Times cannot see the difference between Eugene Robinson, a self described "thrash rocker and brawler" with the disciplined warrior-athletes who compete for the pride of representing their units in the toughest competition in the Army. This decision, essentially comparing some of the finest and most disciplined Soldiers in the Army to bar room ruffians, is more than unfortunate it is disgraceful. These Soldiers exemplify the selflessness, drive and dedication expressed in the Army values. They spend countless hours training their minds and bodies to be champions not for glory but because it makes them better Soldiers. Several of the Army's top competitors have turned down offers of tens of thousands of dollars to fight in pay-per-view events in order to deploy with their squads or teams in the real fights in Iraq and Afghanistan . To these men combatives training and competition is simply a method to prepare themselves better for their mission. The same mission your reporters risk their lives to cover. They deserve better."