Building Community, Confidence, and Connection Through Jui-Jitsu at USO Naval Base Guam

What started as a simple effort to help deployed service members stay active, challenge themselves, and continue growing during their time at Camp Covington has become something far greater than anyone expected.

Just over a year ago, the USO Naval Base Guam Jiu-Jitsu Program was created to give deployed personnel a meaningful outlet. A place to build resilience, learn new skills, and stay connected while away from home. Since then, the program has grown into a valued part of the community, bringing together service members from different branches, units, and backgrounds, along with military spouses who are eager to learn and improve both physically and mentally.

Twice each week, participants gather at the Naval Base Guam USO center and work together to transform the space into a training area. Tables are moved, mats are laid out, and practice begins. When class ends, everyone pitches in to clean the mats, return the room to its original setup, and prepare the space for the next group. That shared responsibility has become one of the program’s defining strengths.

More than a martial arts class, the program has become a true community builder. Friendships have formed among people who may never have crossed paths otherwise. New arrivals have found a welcoming environment, and experienced practitioners have stepped into mentorship roles, helping beginners take their first steps onto the mats with confidence.

One of the program’s proudest milestones came recently when two participants who had trained with the program since its early days entered their first jiu-jitsu tournament. Their hard work and dedication paid off with impressive results: one first-place finish and one second-place finish. Just as meaningful as the medals was the support surrounding them. Teammates, friends, spouses, and fellow service members showed up to encourage them, reflecting the strong camaraderie the program has built.

The connections formed on the mats have also extended well beyond training. On July 4th, one of the program’s original participants was pinned to the rank of Senior Chief. In a powerful example of how the program has strengthened relationships across ranks and communities, one of the officers he first met through jiu-jitsu has been selected to participate in the pinning ceremony. What began as early morning training sessions has grown into a friendship and professional connection that will now be part of a major career milestone.

What makes this program special is not only the training itself, but the way it brings people together around a shared purpose. It has become a place to build confidence, create meaningful connections, and foster a sense of belonging within the military community. As interest continues to grow, the future looks bright. A third weekly session may soon be added representing another exciting step forward. No matter how much the program expands, its mission remains the same: to provide a place where people can challenge themselves, support one another, and grow together both on and off the mats.