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Bridging the gap

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 20033783341
Story by Sgt. Jose M. Montes

CAMP PELELIU, Kuwait(March 7, 2003) -- With the morning sun blaring down on them, they waited, staring at each other from 25 meters apart: two teams going head to head in a friendly competition.

Suddenly, the roaring sound of "go" breaks the silence in the desert and Marines from Companies A and B with the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, attached to 1st Force Service Support Group, battled each other to determine which company could build a 25-meter, medium girder bridge the fastest.

The following day, the winner of this contest would compete against Company C to declare an overall winner. The prize -- first in line for evening chow.

The competition was for fun, however the companies' pride was at stake; Company A and Company C are active-duty companies from Camp Lejuene, N.C., and Company B is comprised of reservists from Battlecreek, Mich.

As stakes flew and Marines labored under the immense weight of the bridge's components, their goal never changed and not a single Marine sat out due to an injury.

"The motivation (Company A Marines) had is what drove them on," said Staff Sgt. Jesse R. Jokinen, Company A team leader, whose team finished the bridge first and in a "record time" of 1 hour and 57 minutes.

"This is the fastest time since we've been in Kuwait," said Lance Cpl. Michael K. Jolly, a combat engineer with Company A.

Ultimately, the time was beat by Company C who completed their bridge in 1 hour and 45 minutes the following day during the competition with Company A.

Although hauling each section of the bridge took at least four Marines to carry, their teamwork and careful placement of each section was the key to the completion of the bridge.

"The first part of the bridge is the hardest because it has to be level; if not, the bridge will collapse," said Master Sgt. Ted H. Etling, referee for the event and bridge leader for 8th ESB.

The friendly competition was a way to intensify the routine training 8th ESB Marines conducts to refine and perfect their bridge building skills.

"In a real world scenario, the situation at hand dictates what kind of bridge we would be building, however we are prepared to do whatever the mission requires us to do," said Lt. Col. Rick Nelson, commanding officer of 8th ESB.