Photo By Cpl. Brian Gabriel Jr. | Marines and British servicemembers working together at Regional Command Southwest held...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and British servicemembers working together at the Regional Command Southwest administration section held a friendly soccer match at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan Jan. 28.
“Quite a few of us have just arrived in the last month here at Leatherneck,” said Warrant Officer Paul Dods. “So just to integrate a little more with our American colleagues, we’d thought we’d organize some social events.”
After the British side of the administrative office hosted a traditional Scottish dinner for their American counterparts, the whole office began to discuss sporting rivalries between the two nations, said the 46-year-old Glasgow, Scotland resident. The banter eventually turned into a challenge.
“The challenge was laid down that we would get two teams together and play a bit of British football,” Dods said. “I’m quite sure that the Americans will probably host one of the American sports in the coming weeks - baseball or something like that.”
Although most soccer players would prefer a freshly-cut grass field, the members of RC (SW) had to make due with sand and rocks. Even with the rough terrain, the whole shop agreed that the game was an excellent idea and an even better morale booster.
“It was a little rough, and we lost, but it was fun,” said Lance Cpl. Eric Ramirez, 20, Palmdale, Calif. “It builds morale for guys who have been out here for a year, their morale might have been dropping a little bit. You also make good contacts and friends.”
“I think it just breaks down some of the barriers that might exist at work when you first arrive and you don’t know what makes your colleagues tick,” Dods said. “I think if you can get out in the sporting environment that helps gel the team and bond the team and you become a much tighter unit.”
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2011 02:00 |
| Story ID: | 64430 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 105 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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