Photo By Staff Sgt. Kirstin Spanu | Marines perform burpees during the High Intensity Tactical Training competition at...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO— On June 18, 2020, more than 20 service members from Marine Corps Base Quantico participated in a High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) challenge at Butler Stadium, proving their dedication to upholding the high standards of the Marine Corps, despite the Corps having had to make several changes during the current COVID-19 viral pandemic.
On April 21, 2020, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, cancelled the yearly physical fitness test due to the inability to maintain proper social distancing during some portions of the test.
In addition to this announcement, Berger added, “Our fitness to fight remains a priority, and I expect each of us to continue to maintain our fighting condition.”
Quantico Marines and other service members showcased their ability to do just that during the June HITT competition, which consisted of five separate strength or conditioning events. These events included the broad jump, three max repetition deadlifts, burpees, a pro-agility course, and a 300-yard shuffle; the pro-agility event and 300-yard shuffle were both sprinting events.
“The HITT competition gave us an opportunity to come together with a group of Marines after being apart due to COVID,” said Lt. Col. Robin Walther, Director of the Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region Regional Contracting Office, and Houston native. “I enjoyed the camaraderie and the competition.”
While many enjoyed competing, they also kept in mind that training such as HITT, which helps to enhance operational fitness and optimize combat readiness and resilience, is paramount to the Navy and Marine Corps team, known as America’s “expeditionary force in readiness”.
“For a Marine, fitness is at the base of everything we do,” said Walther. “I need to be able to do my job anywhere in the world, so I need to maintain my fitness. I told my Marines that even though the PFT was cancelled, we need to take this time to continue to improve.”
Participating in the HITT competition showed the Base Commanding Officer, Col. William C. Bentley III, who also took part in the event, that Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers on Marine Corps Base Quantico are taking the commandant’s message about staying fit seriously.
“We never get the chance to pick the next crisis; where it happens, when it happens,” said Berger. “We respond immediately, so we must continue to train.”
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2020 13:22 |
| Story ID: | 372456 |
| Location: | QUANTICO, VA, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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