Racing to remember Marine Corps history

Photo By Sgt. Melissa Lee | A Marine attempts to complete a cryptograph during a relay race challenge in San Diego, Feb. 15. The Marines were challenged with completing ten check-points and racing to the end of the six-mile course.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

02.15.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Melissa Lee 

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

SAN DIEGO – The Marine Corps prides itself in possessing the highest quality leaders. To maintain such high-quality leadership, the Marine Corps provides professional military education classes regularly.

Classes range in topics from suicide-prevention to the history of the Corps, however, commanding officers and sergeants major constantly look for new ways to keep their Marines interested and learning.

Staff non-commissioned officers and officers with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 “Warhorse” went to San Diego to hold a relay race and incorporate outstanding battles in Marine Corps history.

“We have been looking for a way for [staff non-commissioned officers] and officers to bond,” said Lt. Col. Lee A. Cracknell, the commanding officer of HMH-465. “So, we thought of this course and we incorporated the Marine Corps legacy in each of the check points.”

The Marines split into eight teams of about four people each. They were challenged with racing through a six-mile course to multiple stations throughout downtown San Diego.

Checkpoint challenges ranged from knowledge-based questions to mental and physical challenges. Among the favorites were a face-painting challenge and a push-up challenge, explained Cracknell.

This out-of-the-ordinary period of instruction served as a reminder for Marines to remember some important battles in Marine Corps history and help them to continue to uphold the legacy to the highest standard.

• Date Taken: 02.15.2013
• Date Posted: 02.19.2013 19:49
• Story ID: 102241
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US
• Hometown: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, CA, US