Kilo Company Squad Competition [Image 14 of 15]

The image depicts U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Gabriela Sotofigueroa participating in a squad competition on Camp Hansen, located in Okinawa, Japan, on May 23, 2024. The squad competition is an event designed to assess the physical fitness and fundamental infantry skills of all Marines within small units. This type of event is essential for ensuring the readiness and cohesion of Marine teams, as they are often called upon to perform various tasks in challenging environments.

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Sotofigueroa is shown performing bear crawls during the competition. Bear crawls are a full-body exercise that involves moving on all fours with hands and feet, keeping the back straight and knees off the ground. This exercise is known to build strength in the upper body, core, and legs, making it an effective component of physical training programs for military personnel.

Sotofigueroa hails from Florida and is currently forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific region as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division. The UDP is a program that allows military units to deploy and train in various locations around the world to maintain readiness and build relationships with partner nations. In this case, Sotofigueroa and her unit are stationed in Okinawa, Japan, which is strategically important due to its location in the western Pacific Ocean and its proximity to key regional powers such as China and North Korea.

The squad competition is just one aspect of the rigorous training regime that Marines undergo to maintain their physical and mental readiness. These events not only test their physical abilities but also foster esprit de corps, or unit morale and team spirit, among small units. By working together and supporting one another through challenges, Marines build the strong bonds necessary for effective teamwork in the field.

In summary, the image shows U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Gabriela Sotofigueroa participating in a squad competition on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, as part of her deployment with 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division. The event tests the physical fitness and infantry skills of Marines while promoting teamwork and esprit de corps within small units. Sotofigueroa is shown performing bear crawls as part of the competition, which builds strength and endurance for military personnel. The UDP program allows her unit to deploy and train in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain readiness and build relationships with partner nations.