MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- A 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion squad competition had Marines participating in seven separate events at locations throughout Cherry Point July 18.
During the day-long competition, 12 teams of eight Marines each competed in events like a Humvee push, a rock wall climb and a canoe race.
“It was definitely a team-oriented event,” said Lance Cpl. Marcus Dorsey, a field radio operator with 2nd LAAD Bn. “We all learned about each other’s strengths and weaknesses from this competition.”
During the competition, Master Sgt. Terry A. Erb, the battalion’s operations chief, was at the Marines’ sides encouraging them to push themselves.
“The purpose of this competition was to physically and mentally challenge the Marines,” said Erb. “I wanted to build up our unit cohesion and instill teamwork among the Marines.”
Team leaders stoked their Marines’ morale and momentum as they tackled each new challenge.
“You have to look out for your team,” said Cpl. Corey Oncken, a low altitude air defense gunner with 2nd LAAD Bn. “We all put out so it brought us closer as a whole.”
After the competition, the Marines came together for a cookout.
“It made me really happy to see how much the Marines put out,” said Erb. “It was nice to give the Marines a chance to do something they normally don’t get to do.”