Panem Academy of Combat Education - Bringing Glory Home

The Career Tributes of the 74th Annual Hunger Games

When The Capitol designed its Career Tribute training program, Panem Academy of Combat Education (PACE), it followed an age old warrior model for combat development. Promising youngsters from Districts 1, 2 and 4 are carefully selected at a young age and sent to one of our elite state-sponsored training centers. At PACE, candidates participate in rigorous training programs to prepare for the honor of the Hunger Games Arena.

Scouts crisscross the districts looking for prospects with superior physique and skills. Today, around 3,000 Career Tributes, including 90 percent of Hunger Games Victors, are trained in The Capitol’s unsurpassed training camps. 

PACE attendees learn the skills that make them frequent victors on the Hunger Games arena.

The Selection

Each eligible district is asked to test and assess children from ages 3 to 11, and select optimal candidates for PACE. Doctors measure height, arm span, flexibility and other criteria. State-of-the art technology is used to determine bone density and structure to predict future growth potential. Only Panem’s best and brightest earn the laurels of PACE. 

Children demonstrating exceptional flexibility and balance report to the martial arts units. Those with quick reflexes are guided into close combat training. Kids with long arms are moved into spear throwing. Potential archers are picked using a test of steady nerves in which they are asked to spread their palm and stack as many .22 caliber bullets as they can on top of one another. Ideal candidates can stack eight or more. Strong shoulders, superior vision and a cool demeanor are desirable attributes for all candidates.

The culture of success at PACE breeds little warriors eager to bring pride to their nation in the Games

District 2’s Cato was hand-picked to train at a full-time academy when he was 7. At that age he was remarkably tall. By measuring his knuckles officials predicted he would grow to 6’ 5” and exclusive attention was given to groom him into a future star. 

Cato, a mega-star in the 74th Games, trained at PACE

Clove was the 6-year-old daughter of a stonemason and had never heard of knife-throwing when she was selected to train at PACE based on reflex tests. When asked at age 10 what her favorite sport was, she said:

“knife throwing!” Her hobby? “Knife throwing! I dream of becoming a Career Tribute to bring glory to District 2.”

Clove, today's elite warrior

Producing The Champions of Tomorrow

A poster in each Training Academy reads: BE POSITIVE, WORK HARD, WIN GLORY FOR YOUR DISTRICT!

The honor of Career Tribute doesn’t come easy. It often requires at least six hours of stringent training a day. But students live in comfort in a beautiful, modern dormitory. Between training sessions and classroom work they nap and rest in their rooms. Masseuses and doctors are on call 24 hours a day to meet the needs of the chosen. Personal chefs attend to their every nutritional desire. 

The first years of training often revolve around doing simple drills repeatedly to create muscle memory. Prospective archers, for example, spend the first year working on the release of the bowstring by repeatedly bending the bow as far back as they can, holding the position, to strengthen their muscles. Trainees are fed special diets with advanced supplements to promote strength and endurance. 

The latter years of training fine-tune the specialty of each Tribute prospect with extensive instruction in all around combat skills. Students receive intensive behavioral psychology and operant conditioning, to prepare them for the mental rigors of the Arena. 

 Future victors in agility training at the PACE Facility.

Candidates are assessed for volunteer readiness yearly starting at age 13. As Reaping Day nears, a select group of strategic warriors are selected to represent each district as Career Tribute.  The last days of the most demanding training in the world represents both a finish line—and a starting point. Reaping Day is the final day for graduating candidates, but the first and proudest for newly transformed Career Tributes. It is a life-shaping moment for those who will define their service with honor, purpose and distinction.

 Future tributes train to perfection to honor their districts.

A Legacy of Distinguished Service

Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. Career Tributes don't have that problem. At each Reaping in Districts 1, 2, and 4, patriotic candidates volunteer and take the first step toward making a real difference in Panem. 

Gear up with PACE Elite Tribute Training swag!

The reward is great for these elite warriors who courageously and honorably volunteer to face down the threats of the Arena. Fame, fortune and honor is bestowed upon the Victor’s District. Career Tributes’ service speaks for itself, and their actions are felt nationwide.

We salute those who stand with purpose, serve with honor, and fight to safeguard our future!