SPLAT! Paintball rounds flew back and forth in the old-growth woods of Fort Walker’s recently-rejuvenated and reopened paintball course.
In a morale-building soft opening, teams of four from across the installation paired off on either end of the sprawling, 2-acre course riddled with natural and man-made cover elements. Equipped with brand-new paintball guns and safety faceguards, the teams quickly, but carefully, stalked each other until in range; then the barrage began.
While the paintball games were off and running, the fantastic Department of Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation staff were grilling a wonderful barbecue picnic for the Fort Walker staff on a beautiful spring afternoon. Employees from all directorates, and some installation tenants, came together to socialize and enjoy the food in perfect weather conditions between exciting rounds of paintball action. The Fort Walker community is small in number but, in events such as these, gather together as family to share fellowship and bond as family.
The Garrison Commander, Lt. Col. Jason Duffy, was very enthusiastic about not only hosting but taking part in the event as a player. As a result, the lead up to the event involved good-natured interservice rivalry banter among some former sister service members-turned- civilians and their Army commander, which set the stage for a rousing all-American match. The end result, naturally, saw Army handily defeat a woefully deficient Marine Corps showing.
Of the event, Duffy had to say, “Bringing people together, whether by breaking bread or splattering paintballs, means a lot to me, our Garrison employees, and our tenant partners. The more we come together and get to know one another, the better our Garrison functions during day-to-day operations. Our MWR team is doing a phenomenal job hosting community events, and I look forward to seeing what they have planned next to keep morale, espirit de corps, and productivity at an all-time high.”
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