MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- "On your mark. Get set. Go!"
As these words echoed through the hot, humid air, two teams at a time grabbed their ammo cans and stretchers and raced against the clock from the Depot's Combat Fitness Center to the outdoor pool, where two more events awaited them.
Each of the seven teams, which consisted of four members each, were determined to prove they were the best, but a team from Special Training Company, consisting of Sgts. Barrett Dilley, Philip Dombek, Ken Reynolds and Michael Eason, had the upper hand at the MCCS-SC Semper Fit Quarterly Squad Competitions Aug. 5.
The event kicked off early in the afternoon and featured three different events: the Combat Casualty Medevac, the Four-Man Brick Swim Relay and the Deep-End Watermelon Relay. The teams that participated were made up of Marines from units across the Depot and all events required participants to wear "boots and utes."
"We hold these competitions three or four times a year," said Bill Brown, Depot athletic director. "It helps break up the monotony of a Marine's normal work routine and keeps moral up."
The first event, the Combat Casualty Medevac, required each four-man squad to carry a stretcher with a dummy, and each individual had to carry a 10-pound ammo can. The course to the pool was just under a half mile.
Once each team crossed the finish line, they prepared for the Four-Man Brick Relay, which required each member of the team to race the length of the pool and back with a 10-pound brick in hand. Once each member completed their leg of the race, the brick would be passed to the next teammate in line until the last athlete left the water.
The final event was the Deep-End Watermelon Relay. Each team member would swim while pushing a watermelon across the width of the pool. Once on the other side, the melon would be passed of to a waiting teammate who would go back across the pool.
"The watermelon relay was definitely the hardest," said Staff Sgt. Eric Cayson, company gunnery sergeant, Recruit Processing Center. "The melons floated a little, but it was still pretty hard swimming with one hand most of the time ... it was pretty awkward."
The winner was determined by adding the times together from each event. The team with the lowest cumulative time took home first place. The team from STC won with a total time of 14 minutes and 52 seconds.
"This was the biggest turn-out we've had in two years," said Brown. "I'd like to thank the pool staff for their support and [4th RTBn.]. This was the first time in my twelve years here that they entered a team in the competition and we appreciate it ... we appreciate the different commands letting their Marines come out and compete."
"It was pretty good to go," said Cayson. "It got the Marines out working together and showed the high level of fitness that Marines hold. It really made us push ourselves."
Brown said they are more than happy to hear ideas Marines may have for future competitions and eager to see how the next one turns out.