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Marines host Challenge Day events

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carl Berry
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., --  Marine Corps Detachment 1 Communication Company, a tenant unit of Grissom Air Reserve Base, held a Challenge Day recently.

Challenge Day is day we created with the purpose of building a special "Unit Partnership" between the Indiana military and companies that support our mission, stated Maj. Patrick Allison, the Marine Corps Detachment commander. 

There were 10 events that took place on the day including: a 5k run, volleyball, tug-of-war, darts, ping pong, egg toss, Wii bowling, Guitar Hero, chip in golf, and a Marine favorite pull-ups, sit-ups and push-up competition. 

"Events like this allow the technical support provider and the war fighter to integrate and understand each other," said Maj. Allison. 

"Marines are able to understand the engineer who builds the technology they will be using and they are able to brush up on leadership skills by networking and communicating with business professionals," he said. 

One of the business professionals at the event was Ken Steiner, the director of engineering at Raytheon's For Wayne office. 

"Getting to know the Marines that we are servicing allows for us to build camaraderie and understand the problems they face on the battleground, so that we are able to better service them," he shared. 

"I also appreciate the opportunity of seeing the disciplines of the Marine Corps, the opportunity to see what the Reserves do, and hearing some of the stories of the Marines," said Mr. Steiner. 

Everyone who participated in Challenge Day received a coin and T-shirt. There was also food, drinks, music and laughs. 

"We plan to have this event annually, to continue building and strengthening our relationship," Maj. Allison added.

Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer