On a windy, rainy Friday evening, roughly 100 Marines and Sailors gathered at Roberts Field on Camp Kinser to challenge their bodies, minds and spirits. As the night closed in and the wind grew colder, these teams jogged through a base-wide competition known as the Kinser Challenge Jan. 26, 2018.
The Kinser Challenge is part of a series of events known as the "Elevate" program, organized by the 3rd Marine Logistics Group chaplain’s office and hosted by Combat Logistics Regiment 35.
“The purpose of the Elevate program is to help build camaraderie and give Marines and Sailors something positive to do on the weekends instead of going into town and drinking,” said Lt. Cmdr. Yoon Choi, a regimental chaplain with CLR-35.
In 2016, CLR-35 hosted the first Kinser Challenge to promote physical exercise, mental aptitude and spiritual wellness.
The competition consists of 18 four-person teams doing circuit exercises such as sprints, pull-ups, push-ups, and burpees. After every physical challenge, the Marines and Sailors answer one Marine Corps knowledge question, a correct answer sends them to the next station.
Although the eight-station workout is the focus of this event, there is another side to it. After the teams finish the event they all gather together to eat and spend time with one another, building camaraderie, unit cohesion and new friendships.
“This event, honestly, I’m loving it, it’s fun,” said Pfc. Joshua Huggins, an automotive maintenance technician with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, CLR-35. “I wish it was a little warmer, but other than that, we’re good.”
Choi said the idea of fellowship after the workout is to promote spiritual wellness and friendship amongst the service members. Spending time with each other in a physically and mentally stimulating environment gives Marines and Sailors the opportunity to build close relationships with fellow service members.
He said that the Elevate events will continue to go on and hopefully grow. He hopes that Marines and Sailors will get excited about these events and come to participate.