Officer Candidates School sergeant achieves Battle Challenge world record

Photo By Valerie OBerry | Pictured from left to right are Col. Ahmed Williamson, commanding officer of the Officer Candidates School, Sgt. Jonathan Verity, Paul Davis, president of the Military Benefit Association Battle Challenge and Sgt. Major Lance Harrell of OCS. Davis recognizes Verity with an award for the world's fastest Battle Challenge time. (Photo by Jeremy Beale)  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

11.01.2017

Story by Jeremy Beale 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

Verity travelled to Washington, D.C. to volunteer at the National Association of the United States Army (AUSA) trade show competition where he received the record breaking time.
However, Verity was told if he ran in the event his time might not be recorded.
“I was there to represent the force of the Marine Corps,” Verity said. “Where I did not expect to receive this recognition it was a humbling experience to receive this notoriety.”
Verity describes the Battle Challenge as one minute of exhilarating action in which his physical and mental strength was pushed to its limits.
The challenge expects participants to perform a series of nine tasks, racing against the clock and their opponents in an adrenaline fueled net climbing, wall scaling, obstacle crawling, target shooting and 200 pound medical dummy dragging competition.
Excited to see where the event goes, Verity hopes the Battle Challenge will help establish camaraderie across the military.
Col. Ahmed Williamson, OCS commanding officer, said there was no better place to be than Brown Field, where Marine Corps officers got together to celebrate the meritorious achievements of Verity.
“This award represents how difficult and ambitious it is to be a battle warrior,” Williamson said.
Sgt. Major Lance Harrell, OCS sergeant major, who ran the Battle Challenge in two minutes when the event visited Quantico, described the challenge as a true test of Marines’ fortitude.
“Verity took the opportunity to represent the Marine Corps among soldiers and really impressed upon past and present service members in attendance the extent Marines will go,” Harrell said.
According to Paul Davis, president of the Battle Challenge, it is hard to appreciate the accomplishment until you’ve competed in the challenge.
Verity describes his experience competing against Sgt. Zachary Cox and barely beating his time. Cox clocked in at 1:16 (one minute, 16 seconds.)
“There will always be Marines willing to push you,” Verity said. “I hope this accomplishment will get Marines out and pushing themselves beyond my achievements.”
To locate the next available MBA Battle Challenge visit battlechallenge.org.

• Date Taken: 11.01.2017
• Date Posted: 11.13.2017 10:38
• Story ID: 255064
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US