Photo By Sgt. Paul Peterson | The Marines of Supply Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The gloomy skies cleared just long enough for the five companies of Marines and sailors to turn the otherwise quiet field into a flurry of commotion.
The servicemembers of 2nd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group escaped their day-to-day routines and faced off for a series of eight muscle-straining, cohesion-building competitions during their field meet here, Nov. 16.
Their chants and taunting calls filled the air as each company assembled teams to compete, but the day was about much more than the pride of victory.
“They are volunteering,” said Staff Sgt. Derrick Mayhand, an ammunition technician with Ammunition Company, 2nd Supply Bn., and one of the event’s officials. “It builds teamwork first and foremost. Many of the events are not single events. It is teaching them how to work together. It is not always about brute force but also thinking, too.”
Each company assembled teams for challenges such as the 7-ton truck pull, egg race, pull-up and push-up competitions, wheelbarrow race, tug-of-war and tire-flip contests.
Even Mayhand found it challenging to contain the servicemembers’ tenacity as they fought through events such as the egg race, where contestants hurried across the field and delicately passed a single egg from one spoon to another.
Harassing cries mingled with shouts of encouragement to make the seemingly simple procedure a test of mental focus as contestants struggled to balance the egg on wobbly plastic spoons.
Even the ranks intermingled and an atmosphere of camaraderie reigned supreme as each team vied for supremacy, bragging rights and the battalion commander’s cup.
“We are a small company, so I wanted to pitch in where I could,” said 1st Lt. Shamus S. Flynn, the commander of Headquarters and Service Company, his breath still heavy from the push-up competition. “At the end of the day, field meets are important. It gets them out of their normal working day, gets the blood flowing and builds some unit spirit.”
Individual Marines also found moments of triumph as their companies locked into battles for the top prize.
“Every Marine can participate.” said Lance Cpl. Shuemeng Lor, a warehouse clerk with Supply Company, shortly after completing 140 push-ups in two minutes. “It raises the morale, and it can show them it doesn’t matter how big or how small you are. It is about how much effort you put into it.”
Lor beat out several larger competitors in the push-up contest and helped drive his team even closer to an overall victory.
The battalion ended the field meet with the tire-flip challenge. The orderly wall of spectators quickly dissolved before the teams made it to their way the halfway point. The tires tumbled across the field and collided as teams of three Marines lifted and shoved the rubber masses forward with only the finish line on their minds.
“We are always going to complete the mission and get the work done,” said Mayhand. “But if you don’t build troop welfare, build that cohesion, when it is time to actually engage in something, everybody is going to be separated and not focused on the same page.”
Supply Co. ultimately claimed first place, and the commander’s cup will reside with them until the next unit competition.
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.20.2012 14:39 |
| Story ID: | 98166 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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