MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
The U.S.
Marine Corps principle of taking care of the Marine to the left and right of
you can determine the outcome of a mission.
The
tight-knit, teamwork-based Marine structure this principle portrays was put to
the test during a Super Squad Competition hosted by Marine Wing Communications
Squadron 28, Oct. 7.
The Super
Squad competition consisted of 36 Marines separated into four squads of nine Marines;
it’s purpose was to foster teamwork and the ability to function under combat
situations.
“This competition will create stress, test the
Marines’ physical endurance and build teamwork skills,” said 1st Sgt. Michael
Hawthorne of Bravo company with the squadron. “They are going from station to
station, exercising both their body and mind.”
With a total of seven stations to complete, the
Marines powered through physical fatigue, 200 pull-ups divided amongst each
individual squad member and memory-challenging exercises.
According to Hawthorne, the Marines were not allowed
to begin any station without the entire squad present. The purpose behind it
was to enforce the Marine Corps’ belief of never leaving a Marine behind.
“We are only as fast as our slowest Marine; we all depend
on each other,” said Hawthorne. “I might be the best runner, but you might be
the best problem solver and we have to come together to figure out the best way
to accomplish every goal. It shows that we all have a purpose and together we
can accomplish anything.”
Testing the Marines’ ability to maintain teamwork,
the competition put Marines against each other without having any previous
familiarity or knowledge of their teammates’ abilities.
“When you go into a competition like this, you may
never have worked with a person in your squad,” said Sgt. Carlos Artagos VI,
one of four squad leaders for the competition. “The squad leaders have to
figure out the best role and position for each Marine to play and work together
efficiently.”
With bragging rights at stake for the winning squad,
and the majority of events being obstacles that a Marine could encounter in a
combat situation, each squad burst from the starting line putting forth their
best warrior effort.
“It motivates the Marines to know that there is a
finish line,” said Artagos. “When you see a bunch of Marines competing around
you, you can either compete or be a spectator.”
MWCS-28 provides expeditionary communications for
the Aviation Combat Element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. Their ability
to work as a team and function under stressful scenarios enables them to
provide outstanding support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.