Officers Dodge Squadron, Enlisted Dive Back
Story by Lance Cpl. Samuel D. White, MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.
Marines with Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 302 practiced a game at the New River Fitness Center, a game most probably hadn't played since junior high school: dodgeball.
The tournament was organized to break up the monotony of the typical safety stand down briefing and bring the unit closer together, said Lt. Col. Timothy A. Herndon, HMT-302 commanding officer.
"All the Marines here have been having a great time," said Herndon. "We hoped (the tournament) would build morale and camaraderie within the squadron."
About 140 Marines, in 14 teams from throughout the squadron, participated in the tournament.
"The Marines here have been working hard over the past couple of months, so this is a great way we can give them time off and let them blow off steam," said Herndon. "It also lets loose that competitive spirit that exists inside all Marines."
This friendly game brought out some fierce competition, because everyone wanted to hold the title of dodgeball champion, said Staff Sgt. George H. Robinson, HMT-302 administrative chief.
"It was fun getting together outside of the work environment, and there was some trash talking between the enlisted and the officers," said Robinson. "How many chances do you get to hit your bosses without repercussion?"
Though hitting your bosses without penalties may sound like a fun idea, sometimes innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire.
"When you get eliminated, hurry up and get off of the court," said Robinson. "If you walk off, you're still at risk of getting hit with the ball; I know from experience."
The tournament lasted several hours with plenty of hard-hitting shots, but the two teams who ended up in the double-elimination championship game were the Replacement Aircrew officers and the HMT-302 Instructors.
"We were pretty worried about pulling off the title after we lost the first of the three matches," said 1st Lt. Brian T. Wedemeyer, part of the replacement aircrew. "It was a heated first match, so we all just had to collect ourselves."
And collect themselves they did. The officers battled back for the come-from-behind victory over the instructors.
"Since the win, the instructors haven't been letting us get away with much around the squadron," said Wedemeyer. "It felt great to win, but it's lonely being at the top."
To cap off the tournament, the commanding officer arranged a 25 on 25 enlisted versus officers' bout to determine which side of the squadron truly controlled the dodgeball floor. In the end, the enlisted side practiced the five D's of dodgeball best (dodge, dip, dive, duck and dodge) dominating the match.
"It's nice to finally prove we're the best," said Robinson. "The greatest feeling in the world is hitting an officer with a dodgeball and not getting (non-judicial punishment) for it."
Since the match, word has spread throughout the air station, and dodgeball fever has caught hold of several squadrons, said Capt. David A. Schreiner, HMT-302 future operations officer.
"The word is out that 302 had a great time playing dodgeball and the other squadrons are going to follow suit and have tournaments of their own," said Schreiner. "But we are currently planning another tournament this summer."
The tournament has the Marines of HMT-302 counting the days until they'll have another chance at the championship title, said Robinson.
"We're definitely looking forward to another tournament," he said. "We won the grudge match, but the title still belongs to the officers and the enlisted side is looking for payback."
