Photo By Sgt. Khalil Ross | Lance Cpl. Andrew Bongiovanni (left) grapples with Lance Cpl. Kamwren Aiken during the...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Gunnery Sgt. James R. Shillow held a wrestling screening for the All-Marine Wrestling Team April 1 through 3 at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program room in building 223.
“I came out here to get a firsthand look at the Marines, talk face to face with them and see them perform on the mat,” said Shillow, the assistant coach for the All-Marine Wrestling Team.
The three-day screening process was comprised of the Marines performing various stretches, techniques and wrestling bouts between each other. The sessions lasted nearly two hours long.
“I expected the wrestling to be challenging and a good experience,” said Lance Cpl. Cane Wilson, a motor vehicle operator with Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. “I knew he was mainly focused on seeing what we knew already instead of teaching and coaching us.”
There were quite a bit of different wrestlers, which contributed to the diversity of techniques and skills in the room Wilson said.
Technique isn’t the only thing Shillow was looking for when he came out.
“The first thing we are looking for is a good Marine,” Shillow said. “Most Marines are physically fit and great athletes, but any Marine who comes out still needs to be squared away, organized and do what he is told.
Being on the All-Marine Wrestling Team is no different from being in the Fleet Marine Force; you still need to qualify in all the same aspects Fleet Marines do.”
Shillow said the Marine’s wrestling background and personal achievements are looked at only after their effectiveness is confirmed.
“When someone joins us they are with us for at least six months,” Shillow said. “But we would like to keep them for a year and give them a good chance to go to the Olympic trials.”
Anyone who has wrestled in high school or college, dreamt competing in the Olympics or with the All-Marine Wrestling Team have a good chance of making the team, he said.
“I think there are similarities in the mentalities of wrestlers and Marines,” Wilson said. “They both have the mindset of never giving up and pushing through anything that is difficult.”
That is one thing that will always help a Marine come out on top, be it in a match or in a firefight; the determination to never give up, Wilson added.
The All-Marine Wrestling Team is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. With the base for the team being so far from Hawaii, Shillow said it makes it hard to get out and screen Marines on the island. The last time Shillow was able to get out and hold a screening in Hawaii was 2004.
“Even if you don’t think you can make it or don’t have the skill you should still go out for it,” he said. “It’ll be a good experience either way.”
| Date Taken: | 04.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.10.2015 14:29 |
| Story ID: | 159671 |
| Location: | KANEOHE BAY, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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