thedrifter
09-26-03, 12:29 PM
NCO Call in the Swiss Alps
Submitted by: Marine Forces Europe
Story Identification Number: 200392343547
Story by Sgt. Michael Hjelmstad
BOLTIGEN, Switzerland(September 19, 2003) -- In search of an activity that would instill unit cohesion as well as present a personal challenge to the participants, the non-commissioned officers of Marine Corps Forces Europe recently embarked on an NCO call that included an event called "canyoning" in the Swiss Alps.
As the Marines left work early Friday afternoon very few could even explain what canyoning was and many were skeptical about spending their precious liberty time on a command sanctioned event.
"None of us really knew what we were getting into at the beginning," said Cpl. Armando Rodriguez, Riverside, Calif. "But throughout this trip we all took a little closer look at each other, and ourselves."
The comradery and team building began immediately as the three-hour drive from Boblingen, Germany to Switzerland took six hours and finding the right camp with very vague directions became an adventure in itself. Showing great resolve and ingenuity the young Marine leaders managed to reach their destination only slightly rattled.
Setting up camp and relaxing around the campfire, the Marines did not realize how far they would come in the challenge and thrill that they would face the next day.
"I had no idea what canyoning was," said Sgt. Brandon Cox, Moreno Valley, Calif. "I had my doubts at the beginning, I just thought it was going to be a chance to hang around with some other Marines. The whole trip surpassed my expectations by far."
Grudgingly leaving the warmth and security of quality sleeping bags a little earlier then most would have preferred, the group arouse Saturday morning to meet a guide from an extreme sports company called Swiss Adventures who seemed a little too chipper for that hour in the morning.
"I have to admit, there was a time in the morning when I was laying there hoping they would not show up," said Cpl. Joseph Lambeth, Houston, Texas. "I had no idea what a great time this would turn out to be."
The guide finally explained that canyoning is an event in which professional mountaineers lead participants from the top of a mountain through a canyon. The path includes a series of obstacles that require negotiating steep hills, jumping into 42-degree water, repelling down shear walls, and sliding down waterfalls.
After being fitted with the appropriate gear and instruction on safe canyoning the group was now hanging on every word of the guides who they must trust to lead them through the treacherous terrain unharmed.
"Let's be nice to the guy who can help us live or die today," said Sgt. Charles Blackman, Osawatomie, Kan. only half joking.
Just minutes into the trip came the first test of courage and taste of cold water as the trail dropped off and the only way down was a plunge into water so cold it numbed the fear of the jump.
"I was more excited then scared," said Cpl. Jason Kraus, Corunna, Mich. "The first jump was a rush and a half, that water was freezing."
Anticipation was outdone at every turn as the Marines could hardly believe what was coming next on some parts of the canyon.
"There was one point where the guide wedged himself into a crevice then held a board across his legs that we had to stand on and jump about 25 feet into a pool below," said Sgt. Chris Rager, Bentonville, Ark. "It looked like you'd fall right to the rocks below, but we all did it."
"Overcoming our own challenges and then helping each other really showed us that no matter who you are every Marine wants to succeed," said Rodriguez. "Even some who were really scared at times still did all the stuff everybody else did because we wanted to finish as a team."
"I'd like to do it again even though a lot of that stuff really scared me," said Cpl. Billy Grant, DeQueen, Ark. "It was a good trip and a kind of experience you can't get just anywhere."
This Swiss adventure was successful in presenting a fun and challenging way to bring a group of Marines together in a way that none will soon forget.
"I would never have done something like this in my life without this kind of trip," said Cpl. Abel Orta, San Antonio, Texas.
The trip was a great refresher for these Marines who, like all NCOs, have been carrying a heavy work load with the current operational tempo and occasionally need to step back and enjoy the comradery that comes with being a Marine NCO.
"NCOs really are the backbone of the Marine Corps," said SgtMaj. Carlton Kent, MarForEur SgtMaj. "It's important for [these Marines] to develop the strong sense of comradery that will make them into stronger leaders of Marines, real NCOs."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392345346/$file/CoxJumpLR.jpg
Sgt. Brandon Cox boldly jumps to the fridged water as fellow NCOs look on in preparation for their own plunge.
Photo by: Swiss Advntures
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392353010/$file/WallLR.jpg
As the Swiss Adventures guide leads the way, Cpl. Abel Orta and Cpl. Joseph Lambeth watch closely to ensure they and the Marines behind them follow the same path safely.
Photo by: Swiss Adventures
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392363130/$file/JumpLR.jpg
A Marine who has already jumped encourages a fellow NCO to muster the courage to leap from a board the guide has wedged between him and the canyon.
Photo by: Swiss Adventures
continued.......
Submitted by: Marine Forces Europe
Story Identification Number: 200392343547
Story by Sgt. Michael Hjelmstad
BOLTIGEN, Switzerland(September 19, 2003) -- In search of an activity that would instill unit cohesion as well as present a personal challenge to the participants, the non-commissioned officers of Marine Corps Forces Europe recently embarked on an NCO call that included an event called "canyoning" in the Swiss Alps.
As the Marines left work early Friday afternoon very few could even explain what canyoning was and many were skeptical about spending their precious liberty time on a command sanctioned event.
"None of us really knew what we were getting into at the beginning," said Cpl. Armando Rodriguez, Riverside, Calif. "But throughout this trip we all took a little closer look at each other, and ourselves."
The comradery and team building began immediately as the three-hour drive from Boblingen, Germany to Switzerland took six hours and finding the right camp with very vague directions became an adventure in itself. Showing great resolve and ingenuity the young Marine leaders managed to reach their destination only slightly rattled.
Setting up camp and relaxing around the campfire, the Marines did not realize how far they would come in the challenge and thrill that they would face the next day.
"I had no idea what canyoning was," said Sgt. Brandon Cox, Moreno Valley, Calif. "I had my doubts at the beginning, I just thought it was going to be a chance to hang around with some other Marines. The whole trip surpassed my expectations by far."
Grudgingly leaving the warmth and security of quality sleeping bags a little earlier then most would have preferred, the group arouse Saturday morning to meet a guide from an extreme sports company called Swiss Adventures who seemed a little too chipper for that hour in the morning.
"I have to admit, there was a time in the morning when I was laying there hoping they would not show up," said Cpl. Joseph Lambeth, Houston, Texas. "I had no idea what a great time this would turn out to be."
The guide finally explained that canyoning is an event in which professional mountaineers lead participants from the top of a mountain through a canyon. The path includes a series of obstacles that require negotiating steep hills, jumping into 42-degree water, repelling down shear walls, and sliding down waterfalls.
After being fitted with the appropriate gear and instruction on safe canyoning the group was now hanging on every word of the guides who they must trust to lead them through the treacherous terrain unharmed.
"Let's be nice to the guy who can help us live or die today," said Sgt. Charles Blackman, Osawatomie, Kan. only half joking.
Just minutes into the trip came the first test of courage and taste of cold water as the trail dropped off and the only way down was a plunge into water so cold it numbed the fear of the jump.
"I was more excited then scared," said Cpl. Jason Kraus, Corunna, Mich. "The first jump was a rush and a half, that water was freezing."
Anticipation was outdone at every turn as the Marines could hardly believe what was coming next on some parts of the canyon.
"There was one point where the guide wedged himself into a crevice then held a board across his legs that we had to stand on and jump about 25 feet into a pool below," said Sgt. Chris Rager, Bentonville, Ark. "It looked like you'd fall right to the rocks below, but we all did it."
"Overcoming our own challenges and then helping each other really showed us that no matter who you are every Marine wants to succeed," said Rodriguez. "Even some who were really scared at times still did all the stuff everybody else did because we wanted to finish as a team."
"I'd like to do it again even though a lot of that stuff really scared me," said Cpl. Billy Grant, DeQueen, Ark. "It was a good trip and a kind of experience you can't get just anywhere."
This Swiss adventure was successful in presenting a fun and challenging way to bring a group of Marines together in a way that none will soon forget.
"I would never have done something like this in my life without this kind of trip," said Cpl. Abel Orta, San Antonio, Texas.
The trip was a great refresher for these Marines who, like all NCOs, have been carrying a heavy work load with the current operational tempo and occasionally need to step back and enjoy the comradery that comes with being a Marine NCO.
"NCOs really are the backbone of the Marine Corps," said SgtMaj. Carlton Kent, MarForEur SgtMaj. "It's important for [these Marines] to develop the strong sense of comradery that will make them into stronger leaders of Marines, real NCOs."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392345346/$file/CoxJumpLR.jpg
Sgt. Brandon Cox boldly jumps to the fridged water as fellow NCOs look on in preparation for their own plunge.
Photo by: Swiss Advntures
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392353010/$file/WallLR.jpg
As the Swiss Adventures guide leads the way, Cpl. Abel Orta and Cpl. Joseph Lambeth watch closely to ensure they and the Marines behind them follow the same path safely.
Photo by: Swiss Adventures
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392363130/$file/JumpLR.jpg
A Marine who has already jumped encourages a fellow NCO to muster the courage to leap from a board the guide has wedged between him and the canyon.
Photo by: Swiss Adventures
continued.......