CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- U.S. Marines and Sailors with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group celebrated the unit’s 70th anniversary with a series of team-building events at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from October 14-16.
Marines and Sailors came together for an intense three-day physical training competition known as “Warrior Week’ that highlighted the unit’s history while also promoting unit cohesion, camaraderie, and fellowship in ways only the warfighters of 2nd Marine Logistics Group could.
“The battalion's anniversary has always been a big deal. We chose not to [sit] around and not [do] anything to honor the efforts of our battalion alumni,” said Lt. Col. Christina R. Henry, commanding officer of 2nd Maintenance Battalion. “It is important to celebrate our heritage because it can be used to guide units within the Marine Corps. It gives pride to the unit to understand where are roots are from and helps us connect with each other.”
The “Warrior Week” started off with a motivational message from Henry about the history and lineage of her battalion and why it was important to celebrate the unit’s unique service support role in the Marine Corps.
“It is important to celebrate our heritage because it can be used to guide units within the Marine Corps." Lt. Col. Christina R. Henry, 2nd Maintenance Battalion commanding officer
2nd Maintenance Battalion has historically provided maintenance support for Marine Corps-furnished tactical ordnance, engineering, motor transport, communications-electronics, and general support equipment around-the-clock in both forward deployed environments and at home aboard Camp Lejeune.
While this week’s priority was focused on the physical and combat conditioning events of “Warrior Week,” the battalion still conducted its regular maintenance duties in support of II Marine Expeditionary Force, honoring the indomitable work ethic of the Marines and Sailors who have served in the unit over the past seven decades.
“It’s important to celebrate traditions and a good way to build camaraderie. We all get to compete against each other … and build the battalion as a whole. It’s the traditions that make the Marine Corps so great,” said Cpl. John A. Walker, an engineer equipment electrical systems technician with 2nd Maintenance Battalion. “We have a good balance of work ethic and [mission accomplishment], ensuring the mission always comes first.”
Warrior Week
Photo by Lance Cpl. David I. Romero
A U.S. Marine executes an overhead press with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun during the unit’s Warrior Week competition at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 15.
Dominating the events of the anniversary celebration was a grueling 70 mile ironman-style competition, which included a 40 mile bike ride, 17 and 10 mile runs, and 3 mile swim. The battalion also competed in land navigation and weight-lifting competitions.
The rest of the week was rounded out by other camaraderie-building exercises such as a field meet, team sports, and cooking challenges before a trophy was awarded to the Marines and Sailors of the battalion commemorating the unit’s sustained success over the years, exemplifying 2nd Maintenance Battalion’s motto of “Be Ready, Be Next."
“Heritage adds character and distinctiveness to a unit and is fundamental in creating a 'sense of place' for Marines of various military occupational specialties,” said Henry. “Marines must never forget where they came from and what it took to get here so they too can do their part to carry on and enrich this heritage for those Marines who come after us.”