JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Four Marine noncommissioned officers from Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall demonstrated their leadership qualities July 17 as they led Marines in an early morning physical fitness session.
"We are the backbone of the Marine Corps," explained Sgt. Hazzel Ramos. "Our job is to train Marines. They are our foundation, our rock. They support us. The troops help the NCOs all the time."
As the sun rose over the field adjacent to the Cpl. Terry L. Smith gymnasium, the Marines made two rounds of two minutes each at four PT stations, doing burpees, planks, lunges and calisthenics while being motivated by the NCOs.
The event facilitated unit cohesion while spotlighting the company's noncommissioned officers, according to 1st Sgt. Willy Carrion
"The NCOs have been charged with executing this event from start to finish in order to showcase their leadership and physical fitness abilities," he explained. Over 60 Marines from across the National Capital Region participated in the session.
Following the PT session, the company formed a school circle and listened as the NCOs discussed the importance of mentorship, leadership and a healthy lifestyle.
"The definition of being a leader is you have followers," said Sgt. Scott Edwards. "As a courageous follower, you've got to have that moral courage, mental courage, physical courage to walk up to your leader, help him out, correct him if he needs to be corrected."
Edwards then challenged his listeners to be good followers.
"We're all here to complete the task," he said. "You have influence on your leaders. You're able to help them out, give them guidance, to lead from the rear."
Sgt. Kevin Jimenez discussed the importance of proper hydration with his fellow Marines, urging them to drink an adequate amount of water each day based upon their body weights and to drink water while exercising.
"Any time you PT, you sweat. That sweat is the water from your body," he explained.
Sgt. Idemar Cordero concluded the event by thanking company members for participating and promising another NCO-led PT session in August.
"We're going to do company PTs every month," he said as 'ooh-rah's' rang out.
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