3/2 Marines are first in more than a decade to receive best rifle squad honors

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kirstin Spanu | The winning squad from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, received golden Annual Rifle Squad Combat Practice Competition Badges in front the general's building here, July 18, 2014, after winning a four-day, squad competition. The last squad from 2nd Marine Division to receive the award, back in August of 2000, was from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. Only members from the competition’s winning squad are authorized to wear the badges. "There's a small group of people with that thing ... It's quite an accomplishment," said Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, commanding general, 2nd Marine Division, who presented the badges along with Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose, sergeant major, 2nd Marine Division.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

07.24.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Kirstin Spanu  

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division were presented winners’ badges in front of the commanding general’s building July 18, 2014, for their performance in a rifle squad competition.

Three squads, each consisting of 13 Marines, a corpsman and an alternate, competed against each other from July 14-17 at Landing Zone Hawk aboard Camp Lejeune. Units from 2nd Marine Division including 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; 2nd Tank Battalion; and 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, hand-picked the representative squads for the competition.

Judges evaluated the squads based on their physical prowess, marksmanship on different weapons systems, and demonstrations of defensive and offensive operations. The events included a 5-mile endurance hike, a combat fitness test, a rifle marksmanship competition, an M203 grenade launcher live-fire range, patrolling, squad attacks and more. Judges tallied scores at the conclusion of every event and the squad from 3/2 came out on top of the competition.

Major Gen. James W. Lukeman, commanding general, 2nd Marine Division, and Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose, sergeant major, 2nd Marine Division, presented the winning squad leader with a Navy Commendation Medal and the rest of the squad with Navy Achievement Medals. Additionally, the entire winning squad was presented Annual Rifle Squad Combat Practice Competition Badges. The badges, last awarded over a decade ago to a squad from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, will have each recipient’s name engraved on the back. The badges may be worn with the all service uniforms and the Blue Dress “B” uniforms for the rest of the winners’ careers.

“When you see somebody wearing that badge, it’s like they’re in an elite club. There’s a small group of people wearing that thing,” said Lukeman. “It’s quite an accomplishment and I’m proud of you,” he said of the winners.

The winning squad expressed pride in their victory, and also shared a feeling of reverence for being a part of the Annual Rifle Squad Competition. Corporal Kyle Wellmon, the winning squad leader, was responsible for motivating his squad throughout the competition and quickly recognized what it meant to be a part of the competition.

“It’s not only exciting to be the winners, but exciting to have taken part in the competition itself,” said Wellmon. “I knew my guys we’re good, but it’s great to have the bragging rights to say that they’re the best.”

• Date Taken: 07.24.2014
• Date Posted: 07.24.2014 09:15
• Story ID: 137110
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US