MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- It’s still dark as Marines arrange their packs beside a convoy of trucks, whose diesel engines rumble, breaking up the quiet dawn. They’ve packed all their gear tactically inside their bags. This morning is like most early mornings here, a cool blanket of fog obscures the distance. All the Marines wait patiently to load up the trucks. The Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 5 are about to condition themselves.
Marines from CLB-5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, completed a 7-mile hike as part of a pre-deployment conditioning exercise here, Aug. 25.
“We’re going to do a 7-mile conditioning hike to develop and increase our physical fitness in preparation for combat operations,” said Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, the battalion sergeant major of CLB-5, 1st MLG, “It’s very unique in the logistics world to do hikes.”
The hike is part of CLB-5’s pre-deployment physical fitness conditioning program. The unit has a very comprehensive physical fitness conditioning program from battalion to platoon levels, said Black, from Louisville Ky. CLB-5 conducts battalion-level physical fitness sessions monthly; this month was a 7-mile hike. The program will increase the distance of the hikes as the deployment date approaches.
During the hike, Pfc. Saundrina K. Marriott, a field radio operator, CLB-5, 1st MLG, said the hike was tough, especially the hills. The hike was worth the effort though because it will help fellow Marines build endurance for their upcoming deployment, said Marriot, from Louisville, Texas.
The hike went very well, said Staff Sgt. Matthew B. Langlois, the training chief of S-3, CLB-5.
Langlois, 25, from Bridgeport, Pa., said he had a good time, and felt the battalion was more prepared for its mission overseas.