An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

National GuardAlways Ready Always There

National Guard

                - 

Search

Search
Search

-  Home		 
-  News    -  Guard News         
  -  Overseas Operations         
  -  State Partnership Program         
  -  News Features         
  -  RSS Feeds         
  -  Press Releases         
  -  Transcripts 
-  Features    -  Features by Year         
  -  Posture Statement         
  -  State Partnership Program         
  -  Special Features 
-  About the Guard    -  How We Began         
  -  Air National Guard         
  -  Army National Guard      -  DEERS Soldier Journey         
    -  Leader Development Program 
  -  History and Heritage         
  -  I am the Guard         
  -  NGB Official March 
-  Leadership    -  CNGB         
  -  VCNGB         
  -  SEA         
  -  DANG         
  -  DARNG         
  -  Joint Staff      -  J-1         
    -  J-2         
    -  J-3         
    -  J-4         
    -  J-5         
    -  J-6         
    -  J-7         
    -  J-8         
    -  Personal Staff        -  Inspector General         
      -  General Counsel         
      -  Public Affairs         
      -  Executive Support Services         
      -  Legislative Liaison 
    -  Special Staff        -  National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel         
      -  Office of the Provost Marshal         
      -  Office of the Joint Surgeon         
      -  Director of Acquisitions         
      -  Small Business Programs         
      -  Chaplain         
      -  Senior Leader Management Office         
      -  Diversity Equity Inclusion 
    -  Comptroller 
-  Resources    -  National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance         
  -  Community Engagement         
  -  FOIA         
  -  Fact Sheets         
  -  Helpful Links         
  -  Image Gallery      -  News Images         
    -  Graphics         
    -  Historical Paintings 
  -  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion         
  -  Legislative Liaison         
  -  Small Business Programs         
  -  Social Media         
  -  State Websites         
  -  Videos      -  Featured Videos         
    -  On Every Front         
    -  2019 Videos         
    -  2020 Videos         
    -  2021 Videos 
  -  Suicide Prevention         
  -  Family Programs         
  -  Environmental         
  -  Trial Defense Service         
  -  Holistic Wellness Challenge 
-  Contact Us		 

Home : News : Article View

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# 103rd SFS builds resilience through jujitsu

By Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker103rd Airlift Wing

EAST GRANBY, Conn. – A red mat hits the floor, and a large area that typically serves as Bradley Air National Guard Base’s emergency management classroom becomes a makeshift gym for Airmen of the 103rd Security Forces Squadron.

The group of defenders meets throughout the month during their physical training time to practice jujitsu. This outlet helps build camaraderie between the members while utilizing combatives skills and outside experience in the martial art.

“A lot of these guys do jujitsu in their off time,” said Master Sgt. Ian McMahon, 103rd Security Forces Squadron flight chief and combatives instructor. “I’ve been doing it for quite a while, so they asked if I could come in once in a while and get the group together for a good workout that’s applicable to our job.”

McMahon serves as the informal instructor for the group and brings additional experience as a U.S. Army Combatives Level 1 and Level 2 instructor, jujitsu instructor, and Connecticut Department of Correction behavior management instructor. The key with this group, though, is to have fun while learning, said McMahon.

“I always joke around and say it’s pretty primal – just a bunch of people getting together and roughhousing, but with strategy,” said McMahon. “Besides the workout, the stress relief of getting on the mat and fighting with your friends is a blast.”

Bringing people together is especially important to McMahon.

“I’ve been here for 18 years – this is my family,” said McMahon. “I love these guys and I love doing jujitsu, so it’s a great way for us to have fun and leave any stress we have on the mat.”

McMahon has seen the martial art become a source of mental strength for participants.

“I’ve seen skilled guys who are 145 pounds go against guys who are 245, 300 pounds, and with the jujitsu knowledge they take them down no problem,” said McMahon. “So it’s a huge confidence booster for guys and girls and it’s a lot of fun in an informal environment.”

McMahon’s group is tight-knit but keeps an open door.

“It’s usually the same group of guys, but we do open it up for anyone that wants to drop in, as long as they have a good attitude and respect everyone here,” said McMahon. “Usually, it’s only an hour that we meet, but at least it’s something.”

McMahon says the jujitsu can strengthen resilience.

“I’ve seen a lot of people at my gym that have had outside issues or problems,” said McMahon. “They come in there and there’s nothing else on their mind. The focus is on jujitsu, and you don’t think about whatever else you have going on, just the training. There are so many benefits beyond the physical aspects.”

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT