Photo By Cpl. Kiana Rose Orinion | U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, completed the second annual Reckless Rodeo on May 22, 2025. The Reckless Rodeo was created to build camaraderie, strengthen team spirit, and honor the legacy of Staff Sgt. Reckless, who the event was named after.
Staff Sgt. Reckless was a decorated war horse who served with the U.S. Marine Corps in multiple combat missions during the Korean war. During these combat missions, Reckless proved herself to be brave, resilient, and essential, by carrying critical supplies, ammunition while also evacuating wounded Marines under intense enemy fire, and at times by herself, without a guide.
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Barry McNeely, a native of Louisiana and ground electronics maintenance technician with CLR-1, coordinated this year’s event.
McNeely's goal for the rodeo was to build off last year's participation across the regiment. In 2024, the event saw ten teams of six. This year, participation increased significantly, with 11 teams of 12 taking part.
The Reckless Rodeo was organized into five phases which were designed to honor the determination, creativity, teamwork, and bravery behind the story of Staff Sgt. Reckless.
The event began with a high-pressure challenge of a timed disassembly and assembly of the M240B machine gun, demanding speed and precision under a five-minute limit. Marines then carried simulated casualties uphill, immediately transitioning into a simulated 9-line medical evacuation scenario while executing synchronized squad squats.
The intensity escalated with a casualty evacuation and ammo resupply run, during which participants carried sandbags to construct defensive positions. The event culminated with ground fighting drills, testing close quarters combat techniques.
Each phase of the competition sharpened tactical skills, reinforced teamwork, and evaluated operational effectiveness under high-stress conditions.
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Luis Esparza, the company first sergeant of Headquarters Company, CLR-1, supported the Reckless Rodeo as a Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, where he supervised ground fighting drills.
“Team building and mental resilience were developed through the physical challenges,” said Esparza. “The event was successful and provided a valuable opportunity for Marines across the regiment to connect and integrate with one another.”
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rasheem Sanders, a native of South Carolina and a supply admin clerk with CLR-1, served as the squad leader for the winning team of this year’s Reckless Rodeo.
Taking part in his first Reckless Rodeo, Sanders credited the team’s victory to their unshakable coordination, shared determination and relentless support for one another. He exclaimed they performed exceptionally well as a team.
Sanders said everyone played to their own strengths, being assigned events to strategically maximize their impact. As the squad leader, it was his job to lead from the front—to push, to motivate, and to carry the weight right alongside his team.
“We’re creating a culture of competitiveness and warrior ethos,” said Col. Patrick Pluas, the commanding officer of CLR-1, 1st MLG. “We are doing this to push the Marines to have the competitive mindset, resilience, and warrior spirit that every Marine should have, regardless of being in garrison or answering the nation’s calls.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2025 19:08 |
| Story ID: | 499291 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 105 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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