Charlotte, N.C. -- Marines from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River paired up with Marine Corps Community Service’s Operation Adrenaline Rush campaign to enjoy a whitewater rafting trip at the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 13.
The Marines gathered at the air station chapel at 3:30 a.m., sporting clothes they wouldn’t mind getting wet and a sense of adventure as they boarded buses to head to the NWWC as part of the OAR campaign to provide Marines with healthy, high-adrenaline activities to alleviate stress after returning from a deployment.
According to MCCS, the effort is a resiliency training tool designed to introduce Marines to activities that serve as alternatives to aber -rant behaviors often associated with accidents involving recently-deployed Marines. This tool presents coping outlets to help Marines realize their own new level of normal and “move on” with their lives.
Staff Sgt. Daniel Thompson, air station meteorology and oceanography chief, was the group leader for the trip and led the classroom-style discussions about the dangers of stress.
“Every Marine reacts differently to stress,” said Thompson. “It’s important to alleviate stress in a healthy way and one of the best ways is through something physically demanding, like whitewater rafting.”
The Marines attending the trip were able to enjoy the wide range of physical activities the NWWC provided including whitewater rafting, rock climbing and zip lining.
During the rafting event, the Marines boarded the rafts in groups of eight and worked together as a team to navigate the water. As the groups swept through the rapids, they were required to work even harder as the crashing water would throw them around, each Marine relying on the person next to them to support them through the never-ending barrage of waves.
“I enjoyed being able to meet new Marines that I normally wouldn’t be able meet within a work environment, said Aline Basimwa, an H&HS administrative Marine. “I really enjoyed the challenge of whitewater rafting and I was able to conquer some fears. This is a great activity for Marines looking to alleviate stress.”