CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Sixty-four noncommissioned officers with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, participated in “warrior physical training” aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 7, 2011.
Designed to test the physical and mental resolve of the regiment’s young leadership, the nine-mile event began at the CLR-2 headquarters building, where Marines ran to the Endurance Course at the Battle Skills Training School and back to the start point.
The 16 teams of four Marines were required to complete various stations along the way before continuing on with the next leg of the race. The stations included executing different moves from the numerous levels of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, weapons knowledge and the Endurance Course, among other things.
As the morning went on, it was apparent these NCOs were prepared for the strenuous physical training.
“I’m so proud of how the NCOs did at the event,” said Sgt. Maj. Paul A. Berry, CLR-2 sergeant major. “They far exceeded my expectations going into the event.”
Berry and Sgt. Jacob Newman, the training NCO for CLR-2, thought the event would beat up the NCOs, but to their pleasant surprise, it seemed to encourage them as they drew closer to the finish line.
“Some of the teams (had injured) Marines, but they didn’t stop; they kept moving,” said Newman. “They were all motivated to finish. None of them wanted to be the team that didn’t.”
As teams pushed to complete the event before their competitors, it was obvious they all had one thing on their mind: to finish out on top, and the mission of instilling motivation in every Marine at the event was well in hand.
“You could take the most unmotivated Marine in the regiment and put him in this race and he’ll do it to the best of his abilities,” said Berry. “It’s all about bragging rights. They want to be the best and we saw that here today.”
Plans for another race are already in the works with new and improved obstacles and stations. Though the unit is uncertain of the details or when the race will take place, one thing is for sure, the regiment’s sergeants and corporals will not be underestimated again.