MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Various Camp Pendleton units participated in the first Tactical Athlete Challenge at the 11 Area football field here, Aug. 16.
More than 20 teams comprised of four Marines each, participated in tactical, athletic, speed and agility competitions.
"It was a really good turnout for the first event,” said Joe Artino, fitness program supervisor, Marine Corps Community Services. “It brings the Marines together and gets them out of the shop, field or office for the day.”
The tactical competition consisted of a series of exercises including tire drags and pole presses. Each competition also tested the squad for their ability to work as a team.
“Having to work together, be there for each other and pull together as a team makes you closer and builds camaraderie,” said Cpl. Whitney N. Rogers, a construction wireman with 9th Communication Battalion, whose team placed third in the competition. “Marines are naturally competitive, so we’re going to want to compete with each other to be the best. These things just push you to be your best, and it shows what you really got.”
This is the first year that the TAC was held, but it is not the last, said Artino who looks forward to hosting more events like this one.
“The event went really smooth and the Marines seemed to really grab onto it,” he said. “They understood it as well because these are the kind of things that Marines do.”
Each participant received a free t-shirt and a meal, and the top three teams earned trophies for each competitor in their team.