Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- Once a year, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, closes its doors and participates in outdoor activities as an opportunity for Marines to relax and enjoy time spent together.
For many years, 7th ESB has been carrying on the St. Patrick’s Day Field Meet tradition to allow Marines and sailors in the unit to spend a day building camaraderie and competing against one another in games. This year’s field meet was held at Lake O’Neil, here March 17.
“The 7th ESB Field Meet is anOnce a year, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, closes its doors and participates in outdoor activities as an opportunity for Marines to relax and enjoy time spent together.
For many years, 7th ESB has been carrying on the St. Patrick’s Day Field Meet tradition to allow Marines and sailors in the unit to spend a day building camaraderie and competing against one another in games. This year’s field meet was held at Lake O’Neil, here March 17.
“The 7th ESB Field Meet is anannual event that gives Marines in the unit an opportunity to compete and build camaraderie with each other,” said Master Sgt. Alan Reid, 43, from Cleveland, family readiness officer, 7th ESB. “The engineers have also been working hard and they need a break.”
During the field meet, service members participated in a variety of sports and competitions toinclude football, basketball, softball, volleyball, horseshoes, tug-of-war and pull-ups.
“The Marines here are working together as a team,” said Staff Sgt. Achilles E. Murray, 38, from Pasadena, Calif., company gunnery sergeant, Support Company, 7th ESB. “They’re using the same teamwork principles here that they use while deployed.”
The annul event allows Marines to participate in physical competitions against their fellow service members in the battalion.
“By being out here, we’re getting away from the monotony of work,” said Cpl. Armone G. Washington., utilities and electrical quality control, Support Co. “The annual field meet breaks us free of that.”
Washington, 35, from Washington D.C., stated that certain events and competitions instilled the warrior spirit in the Marines
attending the unit function.
While Marines and sailors were enjoying the events, a black-belt Marine Corps Martial Art Program instructor demonstrated new moves, answered questions and observed service members grappling with Marines that they work with everyday and some they rarely see.
“The field meet is a great event for Marines to come out, have fun and meet new people,” said Pfc. Laura A. Rodriguez, welder, Support Co., 7th ESB. “It allows Marines to interact with other Marines within the battalion.”
Rodriguez, 19, from Phoenix, said that the field meet should continue to be held annually because the Marines are not able to meet everyone in the unit in one day.