Photo By Cpl. Robert Williams | Marines pose after winning a squad competition Nov. 26 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. The...... read more read more
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CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan — Marines take pride in their mental and physical toughness, their ability to stay motivated and to motivate those around them, and the way they bring out the best in each other.
Marines put those words into action through a grueling challenge to determine who was best in 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion.
Service members with 3rd LE Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, participated in their second annual squad competition Nov. 26 at the parade deck on Camp Hansen.
“Marines like to compete,” said 1st Lt. Richard Gehricke, a training officer with the battalion. “We get them out here and let them run with it. They love it.”
The event was comprised of a three-mile run, including a litter carry section and ammo can and water jug run, and then six stations that tested each competitor’s mental and physical abilities.
The participants were bombarded by oleoresin capsicum spray, or OC spray, at the first station. While blinded and disoriented, Marines assembled and disassembled weapons, programed radio frequencies, and recited common Marine Corps knowledge.
After being mentally assaulted, they exhibited their physical strength by doing various body-weight exercises.
While all of the squads showcased their ability to work together, one team stood out from the rest. A 13-person team from Headquarters and Service Company took the title with a “come-from-behind” win.
“That’s what we as a team anticipated,” said 1st Lt. Richard Lewis, a training officer with H&S Co., 3rd LE Bn. “We let the other teams burn themselves out. That way when we get to the stations, we pull through and make our way ahead. That’s how it played out, so it worked out in our favor.”
Their drive and unwillingness to give up is what guided the Marines to their victory, according to Lewis, from Herndon, Virginia.
“It was a team effort,” said Cpl. Nicholas Truntz, a working dog handler with H&S Co., 3rd LE Bn. “We just kept going, pushing hard non-stop.”
Other Marines from the company came to cheer for their colleagues and played music from the sidelines throughout the entire event. With the energy high, the squad found the motivation needed to push through the event, according to Lewis.
“Anytime you can have the guys out there, supporting your team, it’s always a good feeling,” said Lewis. “That definitely helped us get through.”
With H&S Co. securing the title and bragging rights over the other
companies, they have become the team to beat for next year’s competition.
“It was tough,” said Lewis. “It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, but it was definitely a fun event.”
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2014 08:14 |
| Story ID: | 149757 |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 134 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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