Photo By Sgt. Jared Lingafelt | A Marine from Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The splatter of paintballs and the yelling of downed players could be heard throughout the Sportsman’s Lodge as members of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division blew off steam at Outdoor Adventures’ Operation Adrenaline Rush in Jacksonville, N.C., April 28.
The splatter of paintballs and the yelling of downed players could be heard throughout the Sportsman’s Lodge as members of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division blew off steam at Outdoor Adventures’ Operation Adrenaline Rush in Jacksonville, N.C., April 28.
“Operation Adrenaline Rush is a reintegration program for service members returning from deployment to help mitigate high-risk behavior and build unit cohesion,” said Grant Caraway, a recreation attendant with Outdoor Adventures. “We offer paintball, deep sea fishing, white water rafting, mountain biking, zip lining and more.”
According to the Deployment Health Clinical Center, deployed service members are at high risk for mental health problems including post traumatic stress disorder, depression and alcohol abuse. A subgroup of returning service members also report impaired quality of life related to decreased emotional well-being, social functioning and general health, as well as increased impulsive drinking. Nearly 1 in 8 individuals with a history of deployment receives at least one mental health diagnosis; 1 in 20 receives more than one.
Programs such as Operation Adrenaline Rush seek to decrease the instance of deployment related issues, serving as an outlet to relieve stress and promote physical activity, which has been linked to overall physical, mental and emotional well being.
“Deployments can be stressful,” said Staff Sgt. Dale Zaboroskie, 2nd platoon commander with Golf Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines. “(Operation Adrenaline Rush allows) the Marines to take time off and have fun with their friends and relieve some of that stress.”
To encourage participation, Outdoor Adventures makes every effort to work around a unit’s schedule and allows them to choose the event they wish to participate in.
Additionally, the trips and program are at no cost to the unit or individuals, making it convenient for Marines to participate.
“A lot of Marines, including myself, come back from deployments and just want to sit in their rooms and hang out,” said Cpl. Stephen Kazy, an administrative specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “But the trips give us a chance to relax and actually have fun doing activities and still save money, instead of sitting around in our rooms.”
Through programs like Operation Adrenaline Rush, Marines are able to engage in high-intensity situations, quelling their adventurous sides, while being responsible and staying safe.
“When these guys come back home we try to spike their adrenaline in a healthy manner versus other unhealthy ways,” said Caraway. “It’s also a way to bring the unit together so the Marines know they have people they can talk to and address issues.”
Units returning form deployments are encouraged to schedule an event with Operation Adrenaline Rush and to involve their Marines and unit in the program.
“When my unit attended, everyone had a great time,” said Kazy. “All of the new guys who are returning from deployments are excited for the next trip, because now they have heard how much fun everyone had on the last one.”
According to Caraway, units returning from deployments within 120 days are eligible for the program after completing the required Operational Stress Control and Readiness Training, which is designed to depict how our brains process traumatic experiences such as deployments.
“We are here to help the Marines,” said Marybeth LeMaire, recreations specialist at Outdoor Adventures and Marinas. “The programs are easy, cheap and lots of fun for every Marine.”
For more information about Operation Adrenaline Rush, contact the Outdoor Adventures office at 451-1440 or visit www.mccslejeune.com/outdoor.
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| Date Taken: | 04.28.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2014 14:07 |
| Story ID: | 129174 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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