Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point -- Marines are known for their esprit de corps and working as a band of brothers. While this bond is normally formed on the field of battle, it can also be achieved in garrison. Members of Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28's operations department demonstrated this while at the Skeet Range here June 5.
Once a month, MWCS-28 gathers in a relaxed environment to foster unit cohesion and reinforce the warrior spirit.
"The reason we are here is because warriors shoot guns, and I don’t own any golf clubs," said Maj. Kevin J. Stepp, the operations officer for MWCS-28.
The range also provides a great opportunity to share knowledge and pass on leadership traits and principles, said Stepp.
"The day gave us a chance to get to know each other on a level not directly associated with work," said Stepp, "all while having some fun, shooting guns and getting outside."
The Marines alternated between the skills of wobble skeet and traditional skeet. In wobble skeet, competitors stand on a tower with elevated platforms and fire at targets from beneath them. In traditional skeet, participants fire in eight different positions throughout a half circle pattern at targets that appear from both the left and right.
Sgt. Kristoffer Roberts, the training noncommissioned officer for the squadron, said it was his first time shooting on this range.
"It was a lot of fun," said Roberts. "It's a lot different from the static shooting we do as Marines with our rifles. When using the shotgun, the impact area is larger, so when you see the pigeon, there isn't any slow, steady squeeze. You're just pulling.
"This shop is one of the best I've had the opportunity to be a part of," added Roberts. "Ideas like (shooting skeet) are definitely something I'll be bringing to my next station and sharing with my junior Marines."