By Marine Corps Cpl. Bruno J. Begg
2nd Marine Logistics Group
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., June 27, 2012 –
Finding the time to bond with your kids can be challenging in the highly
demanding life of a Marine.
But Marine Corps Sgt. James W. Bridger,
a combat engineer with 2nd Marine Logistics Group’s 8th Engineer Support
Battalion and a member of the Lejeune Grappling Team since September 2011,
bonds with his eldest son, Christian, through martial arts.
“It started by just coming home and
watching [Ultimate Fighting Championship] fights on TV with my son,” Bridger
said. “Eventually it came around to where I would come back home and he would
be in the room at 3 years old watching the fights by himself.”
Bridger realized his son’s desire to do
martial arts was the perfect opportunity to improve their relationship.
“I started to introduce him to martial
arts with the [Marine Corps Martial Arts Program],” Bridger explained. “He
would watch as I would bring friends over to the house to teach them and train
them. … He always wanted to participate.
“He loved training with the pugil sticks
and batons,” he added. “I taught him the stuff I knew, and I trained him myself
for a while.”
Due to family issues and the needs of
the Marine Corps, however, Bridger and his son have been away from each other
for more than a year.
“I entered him in a [martial arts
academy] up in Virginia, where he lives,” he added. “I knew I couldn’t spend
time with him every day, and I did not want him to lose his interest for the
sport, so I signed him up.”
Although Christian has been attending
the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy for nearly a year, he had never competed until
June 23. A North American Grappling Association tournament not only gave him
his first opportunity to compete, but also gave him the chance to see his
father participate during the same event.
“Seeing my son fight and winning was
priceless,” Bridger said. “To see him grow into the sport from the beginning,
to be able to be there for his first official competition, was great.”
Christian competed in two categories, and he finished first in one and third in
the other.
While supporting his son in learning a
martial art for three years, Bridger said, he also has taught him the
self-discipline involved.
“This sport is very humbling,” he said.
“You might be with your best friend and he could make you tap out, so this
martial art really teaches you how to be modest.”
Bridger said he will continue to support
his son in anything he wants to do.
“Ultimately, what I want for my son is
to be happy doing whatever sport he wants to do,” he said. “I am just very
lucky that he likes the same thing as me, but I will support him and teach him
to be the best he can be.”
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