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By Patrick Lujan

PFC Matt Cruz and 600 other Guam National Guard soldiers are currently serving out country in Afghanistan. (courtesy photo)
The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country”
― Gen George S. Patton, Jr.
The Citizen Warrior ethos couldn’t be explained any better.
More than 600 soldiers from our Guam National Guard are currently living the words of Gen Patton in Afghanistan. While away during their year-long deployment, most members try to adapt to some sort of normality. For some, the sport of Jiu-Jitsu is the exact prescription needed.
Private First Class Matt Cruz may not be a General in rank, but he’s been leading the Jiu-Jitsu movement in their assigned camp. In fact, he’s been able to fit in training sessions at the camp gym on a daily basis since arriving to their assigned location.
They’ve worked out a schedule with the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) for daily 1700-1900 (5-7 p.m.) sessions – “depending on the missions,” Cruz said.
“More and more people are picking it up,” said the blue belt practitioner. “We’re doing it because it’s the best way to stay in shape and spread the sport a little. We have the passion for it.”

(L-R): Christian Cruz , Kevin Dunn , Mark Sandoval , Matt Cruz , Joey Togawa , Josh Cruz, (kneeling ) Daniel Santos. (courtesy photo)
The group of Guam regulars on the mat are:
PFC Matt Cruz blue
SPC Josh Cruz blue
PFC Kevin Dunn white
SPC Mark Sandoval white
PFC Daniel Santos white
Lt Joey Togawa white
The vibe, which started during their pre-mobility stage in Mississippi, is certainly spreading.
“We also have civilians who are coming in to learn six to 15 of them per session,” Cruz added.
Fallen colleague
Cruz added that Sgt Eugene Aguon, one of two Guam Guardsmen who was killed in early May, would normally be in the gym working out during the time the jiu jitsu sessions were going on.
Although he didn’t roll on the mats, Cruz said that Aguon was dedicated to his workouts. “I really wish he did (try Jiu-Jitsu). We went to middle school together at Agueda (Johnston Middle School).”
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GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs