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.