State Agencies, Partners to Host Inaugural Battle of Boots and Badges Jiu Jitsu Tournament for First Responders, Veterans

August 7, 2026
From the Ohio Department of Public Safety

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio departments of Public Safety, Veterans Services, and Behavioral Health, in partnership with the Ohio State University and Chewjitsu Open, will host the Battle of Boots and Badges jiu jitsu tournament on Saturday, Aug. 8 at OSU’s Recreation and Physical Activity Center. This event is a free tournament for veterans, active/reserve military, and first responders.

With a goal of promoting camaraderie, encouraging team building, and showing support for and among Ohio’s military, veteran, and first responder communities, the Battle of Boots and Badges will take place in conjunction with the Ohio Veterans Convention, which will be happening on Ohio State’s campus on the same day at the Ohio Union.

Former ODPS Director and current Attorney General Andy Wilson and retired Major Mark Dean, Vice President of Military Sales for Rocky Boots, came up with the idea for the event as both have a passion for fitness and for supporting first responders. They wanted to create a competitive fitness event that could promote first responder wellness and benefit non-profit organizations that work in this space.

The Battle of Boots and Badges complements the mission of the ODPS Office of First Responder Wellness. Governor Mike DeWine created the Office in 2021 to encourage self-care and mental wellness for Ohio’s first responder community including law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, dispatch, corrections, and Ohio-based military. The office provides specialized support and training to help emergency-response agencies proactively address post-traumatic stress and other traumas caused by factors that are unique to first-responder careers.

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