Twentynine Palms -- Marines with Alpha Company, Headquarters Battalion, conducted a hike and shooting qualification on March 23, 2018. The event was held to foster camaraderie and reinforce the Marines’ readiness.
The hike, which was approximately six miles long, began at 3 a.m. at the Marksmanship Training Unit and took the Marines to the Obstacle Course before they returned to the MTU. After concluding the hike at the MTU, the Marines checked out weapons and received their brief prior to qualifying on tables 3 and 4.
Alpha Company is made up of Marines whose jobs are to support the training forces so it is imperative that they remain as current with their training.
“It is important for the Marines to combat condition and train, that is why we held the hike and range qualification all together,” said Capt. Robin Hixon, Alpha Company Commander, Headquarters Battalion. “A lot of the Marines haven’t had these kinds of camaraderie building events since initial training, so its beneficial for them."
Even though some Marines struggled with the hike they stuck together. Having more than one hundred Marines, ranking from private to chief warrant officer, participating in the event gave the Marines an opportunity to support each other and build morale.
“I think it was perfect,” said Private First Class Davis MacManis, administrative clerk, Headquarters Battalion, “You don’t get to do this in the civilian world, just go out and work out and then shoot weapons all day.”
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