Photo By Sgt. Joey Mendez | The commanding officer of Headquarters Battery, 10th Marine Regiment, raises the Kings...... read more read more
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Marines with 10th Marine Regiment took a well-deserved break from training to participate in the regiment-wide ‘Kings Games’ at Onslow Beach, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 29.
The Kings Games is an event conducted twice a year, every year, where the battalions who are not deployed at the moment face-off against one another in a wide variety of obstacles and challenges to be crowned the King of Games.
“Artillery is known as the king of battle because during the 20th century we accounted for more than 90% of the battlefield casualties,” said Sgt. Maj. Dennis M. Bradley, the regimental sergeant major. “So twice a year we try to get the whole regiment together and do the Kings Games, which is a field meet.”
The Marines from Headquarters Battery, and 1st and 2nd Battalions, faced off in a 155mm round toss, kettlebell toss, tire toss, push-up challenge, pull-up challenge, farmers carry relay race, tire flip relay, chest press challenge, tug-of-war, and the obstacle course challenge which was the day’s main event designed by the unit’s engineers.
“It was tough and you have to stay as a team,” said Pfc. Dakota Vieau, a field artillery canonneer with Charlie Battery, 1st Bn., 10th Marines. “There were points where you were soaked, covered in sand, out of breath, and sweaty and you just have to yell at your team mates to motivate them and tell them to keep going.”
Bradley, who is a field artillery canonneer by trade, remembers in the ‘90s when the Kings Games were just beginning and is amazed at how much the event has transformed over the years.
“I originally was a field artillery canonneer before I became a first sergeant and sergeant major and I remember doing this as a staff sergeant with 10th Marines in the late ‘90s,” said Bradley. “The first time I saw this it was nothing more than a softball tournament where each battery has their own team and over the years they have made it more interesting and exciting. It has come a long way.”
10th Marines is a community that is on a consistent rotation for deployments and trainings in preparation for deployments, so the Marines don’t always get a chance to meet and relax with their fellow comrades. One battery with the unit is currently deployed to Europe, while the other is deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit according to Bradley.
“When you tell Marines to come out here and do these it gives them a break from their daily grind. It also shows them that the leadership from across the regiment appreciates what they do,” said Bradley. “So when they come out here I think the morale is good because they are getting something. They get catered food, door prizes, and what Marine doesn’t like to get muddy and dirty?”
“This game brings us closer and makes us gain trust. It’s good because that’s the key thing, you don’t want someone you don’t trust to be beside you in war,” added Vieau.
In the tight, competitive, and friendly competition only one of the teams can win the King Games Cup. This year’s competition was won by the Marines of Headquarters Battery. They won with a total score of 28 points compared to the 3rd place 1st Battalion who tallied a total of 18 points.
Enjoy the day, you earned it. The operational tempo in this unit never stops. Even though the war is winding down, 10th Marine Regiment has gotten busier and the Marines never stop working hard. Thank you and we appreciate all the hard work you put in,” added Bradley.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2016 15:20 |
| Story ID: | 202908 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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