thedrifter
03-29-06, 09:51 AM
April 03, 2006
‘Ducking’ field day
Yellow swim toy becomes coveted immunity idol
Some Marines may dread the weekly field day, but those living in Camp Lejeune, N.C., barracks HP 55 now have a chance to inflate their reputations.
Each week, mop and dustpan-wielding leathernecks compete for a coveted prize: Mr. Ducky, an inflatable yellow duck left behind when a Marine shipped off to a new assignment.
When rooms are inspected the morning after field day, residents of the cleanest room win Mr. Ducky for the week. Bagging the duck not only means bragging rights, it also grants an automatic pass for the next week’s inspection.
First Sgt. Michael Kagle, Alpha Company first sergeant with Headquarters and Support Battalion at Lejeune, came up with the idea.
“If we walk by a room and see Mr. Ducky sitting on a rack, we just keep on walking,” said Kagle, who borrowed the “immunity idol” concept from the reality TV show “Survivor.”
In all seriousness, Kagle stressed the importance of keeping the barracks clean. “Mold and mildew … is the number one cause of sickness in the barracks,” he said.
“You never know what’s going to make the difference between just passing or winning Mr. Ducky,” said Pfc. Craig Mittendorf, whose room was the first to qualify for the prize.
A base spokesman declined to make Mr. Ducky available for comment.
— Beth Zimmerman
Ellie
‘Ducking’ field day
Yellow swim toy becomes coveted immunity idol
Some Marines may dread the weekly field day, but those living in Camp Lejeune, N.C., barracks HP 55 now have a chance to inflate their reputations.
Each week, mop and dustpan-wielding leathernecks compete for a coveted prize: Mr. Ducky, an inflatable yellow duck left behind when a Marine shipped off to a new assignment.
When rooms are inspected the morning after field day, residents of the cleanest room win Mr. Ducky for the week. Bagging the duck not only means bragging rights, it also grants an automatic pass for the next week’s inspection.
First Sgt. Michael Kagle, Alpha Company first sergeant with Headquarters and Support Battalion at Lejeune, came up with the idea.
“If we walk by a room and see Mr. Ducky sitting on a rack, we just keep on walking,” said Kagle, who borrowed the “immunity idol” concept from the reality TV show “Survivor.”
In all seriousness, Kagle stressed the importance of keeping the barracks clean. “Mold and mildew … is the number one cause of sickness in the barracks,” he said.
“You never know what’s going to make the difference between just passing or winning Mr. Ducky,” said Pfc. Craig Mittendorf, whose room was the first to qualify for the prize.
A base spokesman declined to make Mr. Ducky available for comment.
— Beth Zimmerman
Ellie