CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – War cries could be heard throughout the woods at the Battle Skills Training School while Marines with Food Service Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group took on the endurance course here, July 10.
The course, which travels through the swamps of Camp Lejeune, is designed to challenge Marines, and build their preparedness and camaraderie.
“They do a great job day in and day out in food services, but I wanted them to remember that they’re Marines first,” said Capt. Joseph Fore, the company commander of Food Service Co. “It was a good chance for them to get out of the kitchens and enjoy a team-building exercise.”
During the course, Marines had to push through mud holes, crawl under barbed wire, climb over walls, rappel and complete a variety of other obstacles to get to the end. Some obstacles required teammates to help one another over or under obstructions. To push them even more, teams were required to carry logs on stretchers through parts of the course.
Once they reached the end, the Marines could finally clean the mud and debris off their uniforms in a pool of water.
“The endurance course was very motivating,” said Pvt. Arthur Mourning, a food service specialist with Food Service Co. “The worst part of it was the end, because then all the fun I was having with my team was over.”
Before being released to change into new camouflaged utility uniforms and eat, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brent J. Patterson, the company executive officer spoke to the group, and reminded them to always remember they are Marines first.
“I know a lot of times we put our horse blinders on, and just get engrossed in the task we’re doing, but we need to remember our roots,” said Patterson. “I don’t want cooks, I want Marine cooks.”