MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The day was hot and humid, perfect weather to relax and enjoy an ice-cold soda while lying on the beach watching the waves in the ocean.
But that wasn’t the case for the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, as they spent the day educating themselves at a Health and Nutrition Exposition at 22 Area Parade Deck here, Sept. 1.
“The purpose of Health Day is to promote a healthy attitude and mind set,” said Master Sgt. Mark A. Jerry, operations chief, CLR-15, 1st MLG. “It gets the Marines out of the barracks rooms and offices to enjoy the day and see what’s available for them.”
Kristy Harris, family readiness officer, CLR-15, 1st MLG, coordinated with Marines Corps Community Services and local businesses to set up stalls providing information about programs and tools on what service members can do to become healthier.
Each stall focused on a different topic, such as the effects of tobacco use, alcohol abuse, the risks and causes of diabetes, how to eat and exercise properly.
Local businesses from each stall also offered service members merchandise to try such as fresh fruits, smoothies, General Nutrition Center supplements.
Service members were able to visit every stall to learn more about certain topics, including a chance to experience a 5-mile-per-hour crash and ‘test’ their drunk-driving skill at an obstacle course while wearing a pair of impaired goggles simulating drunk-vision.
“This is great,” said Staff Sgt. Garival Perez, 35, from Bronx, N.Y., water technician, Headquarters and Service Company, CLR-15, 1st MLG. “How often do you get a chance to see exactly what it’s like to do something stupid, especially drinking and driving. They need to know the consequences of their actions. This obstacle course shows them exactly that.”
After learning about what not to do, service members challenged each other’s physical fitness at a fitness station for a prize; they were tested on strength, endurance and speed, keeping their heart rates high.
“This organization is all about health and fitness, so you have to be ready to fight at all time,” said Jerry, 41, from Bronx, N.Y. “Playing video games all day doesn’t help promote a healthy lifestyle. The more these Marines and sailors know about what’s available for them out there, the more they’ll use it. Or else, these programs that the Marine Corps offers would just go to waste. I’m happy to see Marines out here enjoying themselves in a safe and healthy environment.”