Photo By Sgt. Gloria Lepko | Marines tackle the rope swing obstacle on an endurance course during the 2nd Light...... read more read more
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Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion put their military skills to the test during a multiple-event competition at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, August 8-10.
The scouts from 2nd LAR Alpha and Delta Companies competed in the Isaak Competition for three days, earning points both as individuals and as squads through a series of mentally and physically challenging events.
“The Marines are being tested on a lot of their military skills,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Macy, a logistics officer with 2nd LAR. “They started the event running an endurance course followed by a march, and moved onto preparing defensive positions and doing a grenade assault course.”
The competitors took on a series of weapons tests, such as their proficiency with the M67 fragmentation grenade, M4 service rifle, M203 grenade launcher, and Light Anti-Tank Weapon system. Between events, Marines were also faced with casualty care evaluations, which required them to employ their medical knowledge under stressful conditions.
While the Isaak Competition is an important source of training, its deeper purpose is to honor the memory of a Marine from 2nd Light Armored Infantry battalion, who was killed in action during in Operation Just Cause in Panama, December 20, 1989.
“The competition is in remembrance of Cpl. Garreth Isaak, who died serving our country,” said Cpl. Derek Knisely, 3rd platoon squad leader with 2nd LAR Delta Company. “Some parts of this competition are pretty hard, but we keep him in our minds and we push through.”
Operating under harsh weather conditions and limited sleep challenged the Marines more and more with each task. But to Knisely, the mentioned environment is exactly what helps Marines see their flaws and allowed them to perfect their skills.
“I think this improves the unit’s readiness by identifying weaknesses and strongpoints in what we can do better as a whole, as a squad, and as individuals,” Knisely said. “It’s tough out here, but by the end of the week, everybody is going to be proud that we did this and everyone is going to remember Cpl. Isaak.”
On the final day of the competition, the unit recognized the squad and individual scout with the highest overall scores, and announced they’ll advance to a Super Squad competition in February 2018 and represent 2nd LAR as the most proficient scouts.
“The end goal is to pick the best scout in our battalion and reward him for the hard work that he’s done and also pick the battalion’s super squad,” Macy said. “To come out on top requires tenacity and the sheer will to win. They’re competing against their brothers who they spend a lot of time with.”
The Isaak Competition not only aims to highlight the Marines’ proficiencies and teach them new skills as scouts, but it also builds and strengthens their bond as a unit through the memory of a fallen brother.
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2017 10:06 |
| Story ID: | 244782 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Isaak Competition: the search for 2nd LAR’s most proficient scout, by Sgt Gloria Lepko, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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