• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

VMFA-323 Snake Challenge Honors 235th Marine Corps Birthday

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101113-19
11/13/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SCW) Jeffrey R. Militzer, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 celebrated the 235th Marine Corps birthday aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) with a team-oriented physical fitness challenge.

VMFA 323, the "Death Rattlers", paid tribute with sweat and pain by completing the "Snake Challenge," a series of exercise repetitions with a goal of 235 reps per exercise, paying tribute to the Corps' 235-year history.

Sgt. Maj. Jean-Paul Courville, VMFA-323 squadron sergeant major, organized the structured physical training to pay tribute to Marines past and present. Those who signed up to complete the challenge did a set of 235 alternating push-up pull-up reps, 235 crunches, and 235 squats.

"This was to remember the pain and sacrifices of those who have gone before us in every clime and place," said Courville. "The symbolism of conducting it on the 10th while aboard the USS Ronald Reagan reminded of us of the famous quote from the 40th President of the United States, 'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference, the Marines don't have that problem.'"

The event was also a step away from the squadron's normal birthday tradition.

"I'm always up for a challenge," said Gunnery Sgt. John Jacobs, VMFA-323, logistics chief. "We normally do a battalion run to celebrate the birthday of the Marines, but this was both really fun and a great workout."

After completing the challenge, Courville reminded the participants of the pain and sacrifice made by Marines that went before them. He compared the physical sacrifice made by the Marines who completed the challenge to the sacrifice of Marines such as Staff Sgt. John J. McGinty III, who later achieved the rank of second lieutenant.

McGinty served in Vietnam and led his platoon through a desperate firefight while providing rear security as his battalion withdrew after having been under attack for three days.

Though badly wounded, he continued to reload ammunition for himself and 20 other men in his unit, many of which were wounded. McGinty and his platoon eventually fended off the enemy forces, which a later body count revealed more than 500 men.

"Anytime we do something like this, we always think about the Marines that are out there in harm's way," said Gunnery Sgt. Manuel Crisologo, VMFA-323 avionics staff non-commissioned officer in charge. "I think about the Marines who came before me, and all the sacrifices they made."

Working out is a safe way to share the pain of Marines everywhere, a symbol of brotherhood, said Staff Sgt. Wade E. Lawrence, VMFA 323 maintenance controller/flight deck controller. "It's a way of saying, 'you're not alone, Marine' to Marines everywhere."

Ronald Reagan is currently underway for a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

Ronald Reagan Strike Group is comprised of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which includes the guided missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Howard (DDG 83) and the guided missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43).

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 includes the "Black Knights" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, the "Argonauts" of VFA-147, the "Blue Diamonds" of VFA-146, the "Death Rattlers" of VMFA-323, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30, and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.