MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- More then 500 people attended the fifth annual Health and Fitness Expo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., May 14.
The expo was designed to help people make healthy lifestyle choices.
The expo had more than 20 booths at the event with most of them featuring programs and services offered here on the depot which included Substance Abuse Counseling Center and New Parent Support services.
“Everyone was invited to come to the expo, from the military personnel on the depot, families of those members, retired service members and civilians that just want to come see what the event was about,” said Michelle Nail, health and promotions director of Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit division.
Some of the booths helped educate people through activities, demonstrations and free health screenings to show the importance of having a healthy body and mind.
“There were all types of health activities, and not just physical but mental health as well,” said Nail. “They had skin tests, body fat tests, tests to see how you step to get the proper foot wear and all kinds of healthy activities.”
Some other items and attractions that were offered at the expo were free massages, gifts, food and a rock climbing wall.
Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion came to the expo right after a battalion run.
“It was good because it got all the Marines there at the same time to take advantage of the first-come first-served items at the Health Expo,” said Sgt. Maj. Terry T. Hoskins, Headquarters and Service Battalion sergeant major.
“By having the Headquarters and Service Battalion end their run at the expo was a great motivator because they participated and later cheered on their fellow Marines during the competitions,” said Nail.
Team competitions began with a relay ammunition can carry. Company A, Recruit Training Regiment, Company G, Recruit Training Regiment, 12th District recruiters, and Support Battalion were pitted against each another. The winner of the competition was Co. A.
After the ammunition can relay race, the Marines participated in a competition of dips, a gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the body is lowered by bending the elbows until the chin reaches the level of the bars and then is raised by straightening the arms.
The first, second and third place winners, both from Headquarters and Service Battalion, were given $300 for their Marine Corps Birthday Ball funds.
The number of people that attended this year’s event increased by 100 from last year, said Nail.
“It’s a great event to see the many aspects of MCCS and to see the different things that the Health Expo has to offer for the personnel on the depot and the civilians that come aboard the depot,” said Sgt. Matthew Wee, unit diary and service record book clerk, Consolidated Personnel Administrative Center.
“The expo gets everybody away from their daily routine and breaks up their day,” said Cpl. Khris Kargati, administrative clerk. “It helps everyone get together and develop their relationships of camaraderie.”
After the competition was over, MCCS raffled prizes ranging from yearly passes to SeaWorld to gift baskets.
Balboa Naval Hospital personnel took blood donations at the expo and explained why it was important for people to donate blood.
“It is important for people to donate blood because it is not for sale anywhere and it will save a lot of lives,” said Bridgitte F. Westbrook, overseas screener, Balboa Naval Hospital.
The next Health and Fitness Expo is scheduled to take place next spring.