BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In a training space built from the ground up, service members step onto the mat to sharpen a different kind of weapon: themselves. Led by Tech. Sgt. Jordain Sanguyo, noncommissioned officer in charge of installation access control for the 460th Security Forces Squadron, the unit’s combatives program is steadily building a culture of combat readiness and resilience across the installation.
Leveraging over 10 years of Jiu-Jitsu experience, Sanguyo integrates his extensive martial arts expertise into the program. As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt with more than ten competitions, he credits the discipline for fundamentally shaping his approach to both training and leadership.
“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu provides practical, real-world scenarios that build confidence, discipline and decision-making under stress,” Sanguyo said. “That’s what inspired me to create this program here.”
What began as an idea quickly turned into action. At the time, the squadron lacked a dedicated combatives space. Sanguyo initiated the purchase of necessary equipment and oversaw the setup of a combatives room, laying the foundation for a formalized program. He later completed the U.S. Air Force Senior Combatives Instructor certification at Fort Bliss, Texas, ensuring the training met service-wide standards.
Today, the program serves not only defenders but also welcomes other service members and local partner agencies affiliated with the squadron.
“I see the program contributing to overall readiness by enhancing physical fitness, mental resilience and confidence across the base,” Sanguyo said. “It provides practical ground fighting skills that support force protection and personal safety while reinforcing discipline and reducing injury through proper technique.”
In an era where the Department of War emphasizes “maximum lethality,” Sanguyo explained that combatives training fills a critical gap in a service member’s skill set.
“It teaches the ability to control and dominate close-quarter encounters when weapons are unavailable, impractical or restricted,” he said. “Combatives develop aggression control, situational awareness and rapid decision-making under stress, allowing service members to neutralize threats efficiently while conserving force.”
For defenders operating in an increasingly complex security environment, those skills are essential.
“Hand-to-hand combat ensures personnel can control, restrain or neutralize threats while maintaining proper escalation of force,” Sanguyo explained. “At the individual level, it builds confidence, composure and sound decision-making, enhancing survivability both on and off duty.”
Beyond techniques, the program instills a mindset rooted in discipline and humility. That mindset directly translates to mission performance. According to Sanguyo, time spent on the mat develops focus, persistence and composure, qualities that strengthen both routine operations and high-stress scenarios.
“By delivering consistent, hands-on training, we keep personnel ready,” Sanguyo said. “We stay innovative by applying modern techniques to real-world scenarios while building the mental toughness and discipline that elevates performance.”
Looking ahead, his vision is clear: sustainability and expansion.
“My goal is to build a standardized curriculum that lasts beyond my time here,” he said. “As the program matures, I want to grow the number of certified instructors, expand training opportunities and integrate with other agencies to keep it relevant and effective.”
The combatives program directly supports a broader message echoed across the installation: combat readiness starts with the individual. Every aspect of readiness, from administrative tasks to weapons systems, contributes to combat credibility. Physical readiness remains the bedrock of mission success.
Through programs like this, Buckley Space Force Base continues to strengthen that foundation.
“What we do here matters,” Sanguyo said. “This training helps ensure our force is prepared, physically and mentally, to respond at a moment’s notice.”
As Airmen and Guardians step off the mat, the lessons stay with them: discipline under pressure, confidence in uncertainty and the resilience required to prevail in any environment.