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Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
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Sgt. Maj. Abel Leal, battalion sergeant major, Headquarters Battalion, talks to headquarters battalion Marines and sailors by the East Gym after a formation run, Oct. 9, 2014.

Photo by Pfc. Thomas Mudd

Headquarters Battalion Sergeant Major leads battalion run

16 Oct 2014 | Pfc. Thomas Mudd Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

Headquarters Battalion Marines conducted a 3.85-mile formation run beginning and ending at the East Gym, aboard the Combat Center, Oct. 9, 2014.

The run was organized by Sgt. Maj. Abel Leal, battalion sergeant major, HQBN to boost morale and allow non-commissioned officers in the battalion to lead their companies with cadence and motivation.

“We don’t get together as much as companies or as a battalion,” said Cpl. Lori Delrosario, supply NCO, Headquarters Exercise Support Division. “Doing runs like this is motivating.”

The run started at approximately 7 a.m. after a series of stretches and warm-up exercises lead by NCOs with HQBN. After the battalion sergeant major formed the battalion, the run commenced.

“Considering where we turned around, the distance was about 3.85 miles and we did it in about 33 minutes,” Leal said.

As the run began, cadence echoed throughout the area while dirt was kicked into the air by the feet of the running Marines. The dirt eventually ran into a paved road where the Marines spent the majority of their run. The Marines continued on the paved road until they reached their turn around point. They retraced their steps back to the original starting point where they would gather around their battalion sergeant major.

The sergeant major talked to the battalion about unit cohesion and included Marines in the Fleet Assistance Program.

“I don’t care if you are a FAP Marine or not,” Leal said. “You are my Marines and while you’re with us, I want you to feel like you are part of Headquarters Battalion.”

This is the second run organized by the HQBN sergeant major and other types of unit runs are being planned, such as a HQBN unit run consisting of only NCOs.

“We need more motivational runs like this,” Delrosario said. “I like these runs because the NCOs and the junior Marines get to lead a little bit more.”

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms