MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The murky, humid land surrounding Battle Skills Training School here is an environment only the creepiest of crawlies could love ? unless it?s time for training.
Marines and sailors with Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group they fought through the endurance course at BSTS here, Sept. 14.?
Their gear was filthy. Camouflage uniforms were unrecognizable. Mud could be found in the deepest crevices of their soul, but none of it was a factor at the end of the day.
?This gets the Marines together and builds unit cohesion and teamwork,? said Capt. Joe Saunders, the commanding officer for the company. ?It gives them a chance to get in teams, work together and push each other.
?The troops continuously helped one another throughout the course by lending a hand or giving words of encouragement.?
?If we did stuff like this more often, it would definitely bring people closer together, and we will work well with each other,? said Lance Cpl. Joseph M. Tomes, a landing support specialist with the company.?
The endurance course consisted of more than 10 obstacles, which spanned about three miles. For nearly an hour, troops pushed through challenges like crawling under barbed wire, climbing over walls and wading through muddy water.?
?This is the type of stuff Marines call home about and write to their families,? said Saunders. ?I?m about to be 35 years old, and I feel like I?m in my 20s again. You don?t always get this opportunity.??
Most of the Marines in the company said getting the opportunity to train with their peers in a different environment can bring the best out of Marines and sailors.