MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Long before the sun was rising, Marines from Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 24 were busy preparing their packs for the morning’s 8-mile conditioning hike.
Missing from their packs were all of the usual contents. Ponchos, sleeping bags and other gear were replaced with canned food and other non-perishable food. The Marines were combining their training with a little charity.
Marines from the “Super G” were allowed to replace their normal pack contents with a food donation for needy families in the area.
The idea came from the MSSG-24 sergeant major, 1st Sgt. Robert W. Pitchford, who borrowed the idea from his last unit.
“The Marines had the choice of carrying the food or the gear,” Pitchford said. “Most chose the food.”
Pitchford said the result would be to collect food for those in need in the area.
“We are working through the chaplains to get the food to people who need it,” he said.
The amount of food the Marines had to carry depended on their rank. Junior enlisted Marines and sailors had to carry 20 pounds of food. Non-commisioned officers had to carry 25 pounds of food. Staff NCOs and officers had to carry 30 pounds. The commanding officer, executive officer and sergeant major each carried 40 pounds of food.
Other than doing a good thing for those in need, the Marines had an additional incentive. At the hike’s turnaround point, the Marines were able to empty the food they were carrying into a waiting truck and finish the hike with an empty pack. But helping others was the real reason for their donations.
“This was pretty motivating,” said Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Twitty, 22, an electric equipment repair specialist with Maintenance Detachment, MSSG-24, and a St. Louis native. “Most hikes, you hike and that’s it. Now we are doing something good. We are helping our own people.”
2nd Lt. Michelle L. Holdeman, 24, assistant transportation support detachment officer-in-charge, MSSG-24, and a Sedalia, Mo., native, agreed. “The added benefit of going out and doing this for charity is nice.”
At the end of the hike, the unit’s commanding officer thanked the Marines for their efforts.
“Good job on the 8-mile hike and thank you all for your donations,” said Lt. Col. Joel H. Berry, commanding officer MSSG-24. “During the holiday season things like this go a long way.”
In all, the Marines of MSSG-24 collected more than 2,500 pounds of food. Pitchford said he hopes they also learned something in the process.
“I am trying to remind (the Marines) that there is more to being a Marine than going to Iraq,” said Pitchford.