06/14/2026
For the past 5 months, these guys have been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with me since the beginning of this deployment journey. Through long days, busy schedules, and all the challenges that come with being deployed, they stayed committed to improving themselves both on and off the mats.
Today, their hard work paid off as they earned their first stripe. This is a small piece of tape, but it represents countless hours of dedication, discipline, and perseverance. Congratulations to each one of you on this achievement.
I would also like to give special congratulations to Devin, who has been training with me since before he joined the Army. Today, Devin earned his second stripe on his blue belt. As both his professor and fellow Soldier, I couldn’t be more proud of him.
Devin has grown into an outstanding martial artist, a great teammate, and an exceptional Soldier. It has been an honor not only to watch his progress on the mats but also to serve alongside him during this deployment. Seeing him continue to develop as both a fighter and a man has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Congratulations, gentlemen. Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.
I’ll see you down on the range and on the mats.
SGT Campos
Alpha Team Leader
Ground Strike Grappling