BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (August 5, 2008) — As an organized sport, boxing has been in practice since the days of ancient Greece.  In those early brutal contests, combatants would wrap their hands in hardened strips of leather to protect their hands and inflict maximum damage on opponents. According to legend, there were no weight classes or time limits; many times a match would only end after one of the fighters had been battered to death.

While modern boxing retains much of its ancient ancestor’s intensity, it is far more refined. The sport is even known as the “The sweet science” amongst practitioners and fans.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Soldiers from across Bagram Air Field experience the sheer intensity of boxing and mixed martial arts during a program sponsored by Company D, 6th Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment. Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Snipes, the primary instructor, started the program to share his knowledge of boxing with others.

“I have been boxing off and on for about 23 years and have competed for about 20 of those years,” said Snipes. “For the last three or four years, I have been more in the teaching mode. I like to share my knowledge and to see other Soldiers as they get better.”

Snipes, along with Staff Sgt. Robert Pugh, who is the course’s second boxing coach, provide the Soldiers one-on-one instruction in the sport’s many techniques.

The hour-long class, which takes place in one of Task Force Shadow’s clamshell hangars, has much of the equipment you would find in a real boxing gym. There are mats, a heavy bag, a speed bag and medicine balls. A full size ring will be added soon to enhance the pugilistic experience.

“My whole goal with the program is to teach Soldiers, young and old, that no matter what, you can make it through anything if you have the drive and the heart,” Snipes explained. “I don’t let them quit and I also walk around and motivate them and let them know that they’re better and tougher than they think.” 

More than just learning how to fight, the program offers participants a top notch work out experience. The class begins with a brief shadow boxing session in which the participants are allowed to loosen up for the class. Then the instructor yells for everyone to get on station to begin the gruelling circuit training.

There are several stations, which include: various punching bag exercises, rope jumping, push-ups, medicine bag crunches and a footwork exercise that resembles hopscotch. For the truly brave at heart, part of the bay is reserved for open sparring. The students are sure to get a serious workout.

“I tell people to just try it once,” said Snipes of the exercise benefits of the class. “You’ll get what you put into it. If you come here and workout once, you will definitely come back and do it again.”

The students all agree that the class provides an outstanding workout.

“This program is great because it is keeping me in shape and I like doing it,” said Pfc. James McConnell, of Co. D, 6-101 Avn. Regt. “It relieves a lot of stress from work. You go back to your room in a better mood. This class is a wonderful opportunity. We have one of the best teachers in the world, it’s free and it’s motivating.”

While some of the students have prior experience in combat sports, the boxing class still provides them with a chance to improve their skills and develop mentally and physically.
 
“When I got to the unit, I got connected with Coach Snipes, who’s a great mentor,” said Spc. Daniel Escolin, Co. D, 6-101 Avn. Regt. “I was 220 pounds when I got here, I’ve been doing this workout since it got started and now I’m down to 180.  It’s an intense workout. It’s good cardio and a good way to release stress. If something is bothering you, you can let it out by hitting the bags.”

Ultimately, the purpose of the program is to help Soldiers reach for the best in themselves.

“It lifts my spirits to see a Soldier make progress,” says Snipes. “It lets me know that I’m doing the right thing. If a Soldier gets something out of this class, that’s what matters. I work out on my own during my off time, but I do this because I love Soldiers and everything I know, they will know.”