Paintball Persecution tests the best in the West

[thedrifter]

Paintball Persecution tests the best in the West
Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story Identification Number: 20031120195735
Story by Cpl. Jeff Zaccaro




MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Nov. 21, 2003) -- Hundreds of servicemembers from Marine bases all over California gathered at the paintball fields here Saturday to see who was the best in the West in military paintball.

The event, aptly name Paintball Persecution, was a five-on-five, capture the flag tournament, in which 19 teams battled it out for more than seven hours on three different courses.

However, before the games even began, tension started to grow as players started revealing their equipment, some of which cost more than $1,000 per gun.

"Some of these guys out here have suitcases full of equipment, which makes me wonder if I even have a chance," said Cpl. Jan Bender, a combat correspondent with Camp Pendleton's KPEN news program. "It doesn't really matter though because whether you win or lose it is still going to be good training and a lot of fun."

As the games began, the competition level started to rise as teams battled to move to the top of their division for a shot at the finals. To compete in the tournament finals, a team must have been in first place in their division at the end of regulation play.

There was also one slot open for a wildcard team, the team with the highest amount of points after regulation play, that had not already made it into the paintball finals.

Although not every team would be able to win a trophy, for some Marines, like Lance Cpl. Robert Beard, a combat engineer with the Marine Ready Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 10 in Camp Pendleton, the combat style training was enough to make the day worthwhile.

"It was a lot of fun out here and there was a lot of good action and good training," he said. "I just got back from Iraq and will probably be going back soon, so this will keep me ready by practicing team movements and rushing in to take cover behind anything you can find."

Training is just one reason why sponsors such as the Single Marine Program put on events like this, but the main reason is to just brew up some good, friendly competition.

"This is our fourth tournament, and it is the best turnout yet," said Alisa Hertzler, Miramar SMP coordinator. "Paintball is very popular amongst Marines and I think they are really into the competitive aspect of it. Marines are always good at sports and events that are very competitive, especially when they have to work as a team."

At the end of the day, it was evident who was able to work the best as a team as Hertzler and a representative from the Camp Pendleton Paintball Park handed out the first place trophy to Team Renegade, a walk-on civilian team, second place to Team Ghost, a group of Camp Pendleton corpsmen, and third place to Team Miramar Combat Correspondents, a group of Miramar's own combat correspondents.

Sgt. Joshua Stueve, a first time paintball player with Team MCC, walked away from the tournament not only with a third place trophy, but also a new found appreciation for the sport.

"I think we did really well for having a team full of Marines that haven't really played too much paintball," he said. "It was my first time playing and I had a blast. I can't wait to get out there and do it again."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2...A6?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Dragons get extreme at Fury 04
Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification Number: 2003111919535
Story by Cpl. Dave Boni



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- In a recent effort to strengthen deployment capabilities and readiness, Combat Service Support Detachment 36 returned to the Station after participating in Dragon Fury '04-1.

The CSSD-36 Marines ventured out to the Haramura training grounds north of Hiroshima Oct. 27-31, to test their mettle away from the friendly confines of Iwakuni.

"The purpose of Dragon Fury is to better prepare our Marines for combat support operations. We asses our capabilities and conduct during a variety of deployment-related activities with an emphasis on Marine battle skills training, commodity mission essential tasks and small unit leadership development in a field environment," said Capt. Craig Petersen, CSSD-36 operations officer.

According to Petersen the exercise gave the Marines a glimpse at the differences between completing their job out in the field compared to performing in the comforts of a garrison environment. To go along with harsher weather conditions and unaccustomed living conditions, the CSSD-36 exercise was led by their noncommissioned officers rather than their officers and staff noncommissioned officers.

"We want wanted to emphasize small unit leadership and what better way to do that than have your corporals and sergeants take charge," said Petersen. "We know they don't always get the opportunity to be in charge and this will only better prepare them in the future."

Sgt. Bridget Erickson took full advantage of leading her Marines and came away from the field exercise with better knowledge than when she went in.

"While at Dragon Fury I was in charge of ensuring all the vehicles performed their mission during the many convoy scenarios we conducted. The exercise was very beneficial to myself and my Marines and we are better prepared for any future operations," said Erickson who acted as the convoy commander during the four-day exercise.

Besides the many classes, which ranged from medical evacuation and defensive operations to patrolling and land navigation, the Marines also had a little fun with bragging rights at stake.

"We had a paintball competition that showed the Marines in further detail what they were being taught in the classes. We also got to see who shot who and there were plenty of proud Marines walking around," said Petersen.

The exercise met with Pfc. William Woolsey's seal of approval, as he was full of smiles and motivation.

"The night patrols, rope bridge and paintball were the best. The whole exercise was a great time and I really learned a lot. I wouldn't change a thing for next year," said the CSSD-36 heavy equipment operator.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2...28?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger