Ultimate fitness: Grissom servicemembers, civilians come together for disc-slinging fun Published Nov. 7, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- With the flip of a wrist and spin of a disc, Grissom personnel are getting fit and closer together through "ultimate" competition. Several Grissom civilian and military members alike recently ended their fifth consecutive season here of playing Ultimate, a flying disc game that loosely resembles American football. According to USA Ultimate, the governing body for the sport in the United States, it was developed in 1968 by a group of students at Columbia H.S. in Maplewood, N.J., and is played in more than 80 countries by an estimated 7 million people. The games at Grissom are played seven-on-seven whenever possible to match USA Ultimate rules, and they are played to 10 in order to maximize the number of games during a lunch hour. "We stay as close to U.S.A. Ultimate rules as possible," explained Mark Copp, 434th OSS combat crew communications superintendent, adding that their season lasts as long as the weather permits. "As soon as we don't have to have gloves and sock hats, we go out and play." The only major variation added by the Grissom players is that defenders must stay at least an arm's distance away from an offensive player to help prevent injuries, explained Copp. Since its Grissom debut, dozens of Grissom personnel from various units have come together on their lunch break to play as a way to supplement their fitness routines, said Joe Austin Jr., 434th Operations Support Squadron chief of plans. "It's a good adjunct to other workouts, such as running long distances, strength training, pushups and sit-ups," said Cory Walters, a 434th Civil Engineer Squadron biological scientist, adding that it's much more interesting than simply running sprints on a track. For other players, Ultimate is a way to work out without thinking about that's what they're doing. "I really hate running, but I really love playing," shared Copp. "For me, it's a way to do fitness without realize you are doing fitness." Copp also said the game allows him and others to decompress from work, which helps productivity. "Out there, I don't have deadlines or papers to write," he explained. "I just catch the (disc)." The sport has also had the benefit of helping base personnel come together in ways they normally would not have the opportunity to do, said Walters. "Playing this game, we've attracted members from other organizations around the base," added Austin. "I probably wouldn't have had this much chance to meet other people." Bringing people together of all ranks, units and occupations is what Copp said he likes most about the game. "Ranks seem to disappear, and we all want to win," said Copp. "It's a 50-50 split of hanging out and working out." "This hour at lunch is a great way to get to know (everyone)," Walters agreed, adding that he finds it extremely satisfying whenever he can defend a colonel or officer. With their season wrapped up for the year, several of the Ultimate players have moved indoors to play basketball, but said they are looking forward to warm weather to get back on the field. They also said they want to see their group grow. "We'd love to see more people come out next year," concluded Copp. "It's wide open to anyone." Grissom is not only home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, but also three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps communication detachment. Stay connected with all that's happening at Grissom on Facebook and Twitter.
