MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- An unusually cold morning greeted seven squads from Kilo Co., 3rd Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment, who came together around 6 a.m. to participate in a squad-a-thon at the Pop Warner Field aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Dec. 5.
Kilo Co. is the first company within 3rd Marines to hold a company competition that will ultimately set itself up for a chance at the super squad challenge.
The Division's super squad will travel to Washington to receive awards from the commandant of the Marine Corps in August.
Kilo Co. conducted a two-day competition that tested the mental and physical stamina of each squad by setting up different stations around the base.
"I really like this training, it forces Marines to think about what's going on around them," said Sgt. Trevor A. Nettleton, squad leader, Kilo Co., 3/3. "I think we are going to win because we have a lot of heart. Once we start going, we will be on auto pilot."
The squads were graded on the time and performance of certain tasks.
A physical fitness test, obstacle course and combat marksmanship course were just a few stations that tested the mental well being of the squad, as well as how well they worked together as a team.
Some other examples of a few stations aboard the base were fire plan sketches, terrain models, call for fire, nuclear biological chemical and first aid.
"With all these stations aboard the base, it sort of seems like a scavenger hunt, said Lance Cpl. Ryan Coon, an automatic rifleman in Kilo Co., 3/3.
More than six hours went by before a squad returned to the company office to conduct its last task.
A gear list was provided to each member of the squad days prior to the competition.
First Lt. Jeff Walsh, executive officer, Kilo Co., 3/3, conducted the gear inspection and deducted points from the squad that had missing items.
"This training was pretty great, said Lance Cpl. Dennis Everett, an automatic rifleman, Kilo Co., 3/3. "We were motivated and excelled in all the events," said Everett."
The day's competition ended with section leaders tallying up the scores, while the seven squads waited patiently for the results. Every member of the squad walked around with heads held high, feeling the pride of a completed squad-a-thon competition.
"By god, Kilo Company will take the super squad competition here aboard MCB Hawaii, and ultimately take the win in Okinawa, Japan," said Capt. Mark H. Iclingan, commanding officer, Kilo Co., 3/3. "I want my guys to wear that Rifle Squad Competition Badge."