Single Marine Program hosts Commissary Commando

Photo By Cpl. Brianna Christensen | Lance Cpl. Shawn Feeney competes as a strong-man during the Commissary Commando competition held at the Camp Foster Commissary Sept. 15. Feeney is an ordnanceman with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.22.2011

Story by Pfc. Brianna Christensen 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Single Marines and sailors came together for an afternoon of fun at the Camp Foster Commissary Sept. 15.

September is commissary awareness month and in honor of this, the Single Marine Program held a “Commissary Commando” competition for single Marines and sailors on Camp Foster.

The event consisted of a free barbecue and competitions with prizes that ranged from T-shirts and flashlights to microwave ovens and bicycles.

The competition included an egg toss, a strong-man competition, a push-up contest, a frozen T-shirt contest and a baseball toss.

“We hold this event every year to show Marines and sailors the benefits of shopping at the commissary,” said Randy Mitchell, the program manager for SMP. “The commissary is always full of married couples and families, but single service members are more likely to shop at the convenient shoppette.”

While the 24-hour shoppettes may be more convenient for single Marines and sailors, they can greatly benefit by getting into a habit of shopping at the commissary, Mitchell said.

“The commissary is more affordable for the service members, and it sells a much bigger variety of food,” said Mitchell. “They could eat healthier if they bought groceries here rather than getting premade or processed foods.”

At the event, the single Marines and sailors also signed a roster that will be entered into a competition against every other SMP as well as military branch programs throughout the world. The SMP chapter with the most signatures will win $1,500 and the runner-up will win $1,000, both to support SMP events and programs.

SMP staff also plan to create a skit about the commissary to enter into a video contest for a chance to win an additional $1,000.
Winning this money would really help the SMP because it allows it to have more events like this one, as well as helping it pay for the big Thanksgiving dinner it holds for the Marines and sailors every year, according to Cpl. Stephanie J. Pleasant, the Camp Foster SMP president.

“Winning these competitions would really benefit the Marines and sailors because with this money the SMP would be able to plan more trips and help the members get off base and really experience Okinawa,” said Sgt. Carlos D. Delatorre, the Camp Foster SMP vice president.

The SMP will also hold a “Commissary Commando” on Camp Courtney Sept. 29.

Marines and sailors perform push-ups during the Commissary Commando competition held at the Camp Foster Commissary Sept. 15.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2011
• Date Posted: 09.22.2011 00:57
• Story ID: 77407
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP