DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — A free Brazilian jiujitsu class is available to adults with base access here.
The class is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the upstairs of the Airman Leadership School, building 4455.
Garrett Clark, a U.S. Air Force veteran, volunteered to take over D-M’s all-volunteer military combatives program in 2013 and with the assistance of Senior Airman Jeremiah Garber, 355th Maintenance Group analyst, has been running the program ever since.
In addition to combatives training Clark teaches classes focusing on basic self-defense and sexual assault prevention during Comprehensive Airmen Fitness Days.
“Many students have shown interest in competitive BJJ,” said Clark, “so we have been able to start a class specifically for BJJ.” The classes’ skill level ranges from beginner to advanced and all skill levels are welcome.
“Jiujitsu is always just two submissions; joint manipulation and chokes; there’s no striking and throwing is frowned upon,” said Garber.
There are opportunities within the group to put the skills they learn to use by competing in tournaments.
“We usually compete once every couple of months, we actually have someone who won a North American Grappler’s Association 2015 championship,” Clark said. “We try to represent for the military and military jiujitsu.”
Clark is a level 2 certified combatives instructor and both he and Garber have their blue belts through Endure Brazilian Jujitsu under Professor Bobbie Williams.
For additional details on the BJJ class or for information on children’s classes please contact Garber at (520) 975-4647.