MWSS-272 Super Squad Competition

Photo By Staff Sgt. Andy Orozco | Cpl. William Sartor, Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272 supply administration clerk, completed 90 ammo can lifts during a modified combat fitness test (CFT) during a super squad competition aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, April 11. The CFT was the last event during the competition and Sartor was the first from his squad to run through it. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andy J. Orozco/Released)  

JACKSONVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

04.11.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Andy Orozco 

Marine Corps Installations East       

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 272 conducted a timed super squad competition consisting of four squads, one from each company within MWSS-272, competing in five events aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, April 11.

Each squad consisted of 12 Marines carrying a pack full of gear and a casualty on a stretcher to each event.

The first event during the competition was A Kim’s Game in a field between the Child Development Center and McCutcheon Manor.

“A Kim’s Game is where we lay out 15 objects on the deck and the Marines have a minute to memorize it all,” said Staff Sgt. David Gaertner, MWSS-272 heavy equipment operator. During the game, Marines weren’t allowed any verbal or non-verbal means of communication to strategize who was going to memorize which object.

After the Marines’ one minute was up they hiked to their next event.

The next event was a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) certification test, where two Marines from each squad were tested on 20 MCMAP moves up to their current belt level. Moves conducted improperly added a minute to their overall time.

Next, two Marines participated in a weapons certification test on the M249 squad automatic weapon and the M240B light machine gun. Two Marines had to disassemble, re-assemble and conduct a functions check on the weapons in less than three minutes; going over the time limit resulted in a time penalty.

After the weapons certification test the Marines hiked back to their starting point to complete a Semper Fit course consisting of 100 push-ups, 100 jump squats and 100 crunches per Marine.

To finish the competition the Marines had to hike from the field to Camp Geiger’s obstacle course field area to immediately begin a modified CFT.

“The purpose of this event was to build esprit de corps and camaraderie between the Marines and to make a tough, challenging, physically and mentally demanding competition between our different companies,” said Gaertner.

Engineer Company’s squad went on to win the competition and was awarded a four-day extended weekend. Headquarters and Support (H&S) Company, with the best overall time, came in second due to time penalties and was awarded a three-day extended weekend by the commanding officer.

• Date Taken: 04.11.2014
• Date Posted: 04.21.2014 16:40
• Story ID: 126946
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, NC, US