SAN DIEGO – A Presidio of Monterey Soldier leveled up to victory at TwitchCon 2019’s “Street Fighter V” tournament, highlighting Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Family and MWR Program’s effort to provide healthy recreational and leisure activities for Soldiers while building skills they can utilize while serving our nation.
Sgt. Dominic Ramirez of Bravo Company, 229th Military Intelligence Battalion took home the grand prize—a $500 Army & Air Force Exchange Service gift card and a Gaemz prize package—on Sept. 27 at TwitchCon, an annual convention that celebrates gaming and esports.
“Christmas is coming up—this will help,” Ramirez said of his prize.
Ramirez earned his trip to TwitchCon after winning a tournament in September at the Colorado Army National Guard Briargate Armory in Colorado Springs—the final chance to qualify for the trip to San Diego. Ramirez flew from California to Colorado specifically to try for a chance to get to TwitchCon—and his strategy worked.
“I’ve been playing ‘Street Fighter’ since 1992,” he said. “I’m pretty good—and it’s fun.”
The Exchange, Army Entertainment, Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Family and MWR Program and the Army National Guard partnered to bring qualifying tournaments to installations around the world.
“The Exchange is honored to celebrate with Sgt. Ramirez at TwitchCon,” said Sandi Lute, Exchange vice president for marketing and customer engagement. “Wherever Soldiers go and whatever missions they support, the Exchange stands alongside them—including at TwitchCon.”
Esports have benefits for Warfighters, including mental agility, decision-making, problem-solving and team-building. Soldiers contribute to the Army mission in career fields that draw on gaming skills, from technological support to digital security and more.
Ramirez and 15 service members kicked off TwitchCon with the “Street Fighter 5” tournament, broadcast live on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/armyentertainment. Many of the Soldiers and Guard members had family and friends watching the live stream, “shoutcasted” by Maj. Dylan Mack, who played at TwitchCon last year.
Ramirez’s biggest fans, though, cheered him on in person: his wife, Christine; children Alexis and Dominic Jr.; and mom, Silvia.
“He sets his mind to win—that’s what I taught him,” Silvia Ramirez said. “I taught him to not give up and to win. I’m proud of him, and I came to see him.”
Ramirez’s years of gaming were put to the test in the finals—he lost his first match and had to battle past several competitors to take home the crown.
The Army, though, has taught him to stand tall in the face of challenges.
“Resiliency is what the Army trains us on” he said. “You’re not out. You have another shot. Don’t give up.”
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