MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- More than 65 non- commissioned officers from Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, participated in the fourth annual Iron NCO Day, here, Dec. 14.

The NCOs of CLR-2 enjoyed the day away from their normal duties competing in a friendly competition that tested the NCOs’ skills and helped build camaraderie within the unit.

In order to divide all the teams equally, the participating NCOs were divided into multiple teams among two categories. The first category consisted of all male participants, while the second included males and females.

The competition consisted of six different events spaced along a five-mile course, including an obstacle course, team pushups, team wheel-barrels, stretcher carries, team pull-ups and a knowledge test. The scores of each team for the events were tallied at the end of the competition.

“The purpose of the event was to raise morale and provide the challenge that everyone looks for when they join the Marine Corps, said 1st Lt. Mark Wlaschin, the officer-in-charge of the operations section, CLR-2.

The winning team of the competition for the Male category was the “Roughnecks” of Combat Logistics Company 23, 2nd MLG, of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

The winning team for the mixed category was “Team Truck-It” of General Support Motor Transport Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd MLG, led by the 2nd MLG Marine of the Year, Sgt. Alan S. Farabee, a platoon sergeant with General Support Motor Transport Company.

“Everybody did great,” Farabee explained selflessly. “There are never any losers in an event like this. We are all NCOs; we all play on the same team and fight in the same fight.”

According to Wlaschin, the winning teams received certificates of accommodation and plaques to be displayed in their respective battalion headquarters buildings, as well as the regimental headquarters building. All participants in the competition also received a commemorative shirt and a 72-hour liberty.

As the competition came to a close, the participating Marines enjoyed a cook-out and an award ceremony where Col. Thomas N. Collins, the commanding officer of CLR-2, presented awards and congratulated all of the Marines.

“The intent of the competition was to challenge the Marines’ stamina, strength and mental capacity,” Collins said. “The Marines did a wonderful job.”