Mat To Mission: Special Warfare Center & School Hosts Wrestling To Inspire Future Force Generation

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – When collegiate wrestling athletes meet Army special operations at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, the common ground is forged in sweat, performance, and the pursuit of excellence.

The Special Operations Center of Excellence welcomed 39 members from the University of North Carolina's wrestling team to experience holistic approaches to physical training, cognitive exercises, virtual reality at the synthetic training environment, and nutrition Q&A sessions at the Human Performance Force Generation Training Center, commonly referred to as HP FORGE, at Fort Bragg, on Sept. 21, 2026.

While physical training and mental grit paralleled both institutions for preparation on the mat and in the operational environment, the visit embodied attributes that would inspire future force generation.

"Taking our team to the Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg was eye opening," said head coach Rob Koll. "A lot of our young athletes don't necessarily appreciate the size and scope of the training and expertise that goes into preparing our special operations Soldiers. This put our guys through a small taste of it."

By showcasing the state-of-the-art training center, the Special Operations Center of Excellence put the Department of War's warrior readiness and human performance initiatives on display. The visit highlighted how both institutions utilize sports science, mental resilience, and advanced nutrition.

"Seeing the science behind the methods, how carefully everything is structured for performance, recovery, and resilience, gave our team a whole new level of respect for the process," Koll said.

Beyond tactical training, the engagement served as a pillar in the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School by informing and building trust with the American people.

"The visit doesn't just provide a tour of what we do here, but it shows the first SOF truth that people are more important than hardware," said Michael Fields, Human Performance and Wellness deputy director. "We do that in a few ways by demonstrating metric-driven recovery and prevention methods, such as physical therapy, mental health, cognitive performance, and physical training. It's a one-stop holistic shop for training, performance, and rehabilitation."

During their visit, the wrestling team divided into three groups to experience a three-station rotation. Each station focused on a unique area: a 30-minute workout led by a performance coach, classroom discussion on nutrition led by a dietitian, and a virtual reality shooting demo highlighting cognitive precision.

For the wrestling team, the visit not only demonstrated an intersection between Army special operations and human performance with collegiate athletes, but the physical training session served as a solemn tribute to a fallen teammate from the Human Performance and Wellness staff lost in 2025.

Named in memory of Nick Vetell, the team tackled a conditioning session built directly from the final training program he crafted. Before Vetell joined HPW at the Special Warfare Center and School, he served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at North Carolina.

"He was a very driven human," said Luke Simcox, a junior studying exercise and sports science. "He provided so many resources for us. […] Just knowing that he was here and the type of person he was and his goals felt like an extra connection to him. It's kind of like his legacy still lives on."

Following their time at the HP FORGE and lunch at the Sgt. Gordon D. Yntema Dining Facility, the wrestling team stepped back in time at the JFK Special Warfare Museum, where they learned about the history of special warfare from various exhibits and museum curators.

"We had the opportunity to visit the museum, which reminded us of the courage, sacrifice, and the elite standards of those who defend our freedom," Koll said. "I'm truly grateful for the opportunity and for the professionals, who shared their knowledge with us."

For Simcox, who has been wrestling for 18 years, he received the experience with an open mind. Between training and preparing for wrestling meets, he sees similarities in training that encompass not just a physical component to preparation but a mental one.

"Wrestling is a very mental sport, which may be the same thing that Soldiers go through," Simcox said. "I think a lot of wrestlers feel a connection to some of these Soldiers. You see some wrestlers come into the Army or Special Forces after their collegiate experiences. Being around these guys who are here and dedicated to serving our country is a very surreal experience."

The experience also ignited reflection for Simcox, whose respect for the armed forces is rooted at home. Coming from a family tradition of military service spanning the naval, marine, and aviation branches, the UNC wrestler noted that walking through the Special Warfare Center and School felt like a glimpse into a potential future.

"I had a family member in the Marines, one that was an engineer in the Navy, and one that was in the Air Force," he said. "I might have to be the one to be in the Army; it is very intriguing. I have a very open mind and will see where it takes me. I would love to serve our country."

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Mat To Mission: Special Warfare Center & School Hosts Wrestling To Inspire Future Force Generation

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