Photo By Cpl. Sullivan Laramie | A Marine with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines and sailors with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group performed squad physical training April 26, and conducted a super squad challenge May 3, here.
The Marines and sailors completed a series of squad-based exercises and competed against other teams in the battalion. Each squad was timed as it ran approximately four miles with stops along the way to perform physical endeavors.
“This is some of the best training we’ve done in a while,” said Staff Sgt. Jemel A. May, a supply administration operations clerk with the battalion. “At first I wasn’t looking forward to it, but as I was doing it, the Marines were excited and you could see everyone coming together. We were having a blast.”
The team-oriented nature of the competition forced the Marines to work together to finish each exercise as a group and everyone was involved. One activity required each participant to fireman’s carry another team member until everyone was carried.
“This PT was very challenging, mentally, physically and spiritually,” said Sgt. Warren Paul, the unit’s shipping and receiving chief and a Brooklyn, N.Y., native. “You could look on the faces of the Marines you’re running with and you could tell some of them were dazed. You had to just tell yourself [and your Marines] to just keep going.”
Lt. Col. Craig C. Clemans, the battalion’s commanding officer, gave his Marines and sailors an incentive to do their best and complete the competition: any squad that beat his squad’s time would receive a three-day weekend.
“An event like this is a gut check and it brings out our true colors,” said Clemans, a Valparaiso, Ind., native. “Marines get to see a glimpse of what [they are] made of and how deep [their] character runs. There’s a healthy rivalry and a shared experience at the squad level, which strengthens the bonds of leadership.”
Twenty of the 31 squads beat Clemans’ one hour and 18 minute time, earning the time off. The fastest squad, which belonged to General Support Maintenance Company, finished the workout in approximately 57 minutes.
“The real goal was to see how Marines mesh with one another,” said Paul. “You have different backgrounds for Marines. You have different body types and different genders. This was a way to challenge each other and build strategy.”
One week later, servicemembers with the unit performed a super squad challenge. The Marines were tasked with varying challenges from marksmanship tests, simulated gas attacks, and a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program squad battle.
“The purpose of the super squad challenge was to give them the opportunity to use the Marine Corps common skills and to remind them that every Marine is a rifleman,” said 2nd Lt. Alejandro R. Delgado, the assistant logistics officer with the battalion.
The troops, equipped with service rifles and packs, conducted an approximately seven-mile hike in the early morning.
After the hike, the Marines performed a marksmanship skills relay exercise. Shooters ran to the firing line wearing protective armor and helmets as they performed 10 push-ups, then fired 10 rounds out of their service rifles at balloon targets under physical strain.
“They maintained a high level of motivation and pumped each other up,” said Delgado, a Miami, Fla., native. “They knew what they were doing the entire time. It was motivating to see how these guys performed.”
Upon completing the marksmanship test, the finished squads put on their packs and performed land navigation techniques to venture to their next challenge.
Arriving at the next obstacle, the 13 servicemembers in the squad patrolled the road in a tactical column formation and were tested in a simulated chemical weapons attack.
Marines quickly dawned their protective mask, full body suit, gloves and boots while maintaining security, putting them in a mission oriented protective posture 4, which is the highest level of protection.
“It was a phenomenal performance by everyone,” said Delgado. “They were doing varsity level training.”
While maintaining MOPP 4, the squads patrolled approximately 300 meters to their next challenge where they would be tested on assembly and disassembly of crew-served weapons.
Containers full of parts belonging to the M-240B and .50-caliber machine guns and Mark 19 grenade launcher were separated for the Marines to quickly assemble the weapon systems. They then performed a functions check before moving on to the next obstacle.
“You can tell it was a challenge for the Marines to perform the assembly and disassembly of the weapon systems while maintaining MOPP 4,” said Delgado.
Troops then removed their MOPP gear and patrolled to the next endeavor where they would use combat life saver skills to treat wounded victims from a simulated booby trap.
When the simulated casualties were treated they then shuffled to the MCMAP battle challenge. It was a brutal battle between two squads: winning could only be achieved by submission.
Once the ground fighting was done, the squads finally made their way back to the 2nd Maint. Bn. compound to perform the movement under fire drill from the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test.
“From the minute they left the armory, from when they finished there was some friction and fatigue setting in but they didn’t argue with each other,” said Delgado. “From the top down they were beat up but their performance as a whole was seamless.”
The winning squad of the super squad challenge was rewarded a three-day weekend and meritorious mast, as well as the platoon sergeant earning a certificate of commendation.
The battalion’s Electronics Maintenance Company won the event and claimed their prize.
“They had great rhythm and routine,” said Delgado talking about the winning squad. “They were very, very motivated going into this challenge.”
| Date Taken: | 05.07.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.07.2013 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 106476 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Hometown: | BROOKLYN, NY, US |
| Hometown: | MIAMI, FL, US |
| Hometown: | VALPARAISO, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 511 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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