Students and faculty pushed their bodies to the limit by taking part in a Marine fitness challenge at the Aiken High School football field Tuesday morning.
Members of the Aiken and Augusta Marine Recruiting Station created and led a modified Marine Corps combat fitness course.
Teams of 10 pushed themselves to compete in the physically tense course, which included a ¼-mile relay race followed by a maneuver-under-fire drill.
The drill represented an under-fire military situation.
Participants had to sprint and crawl, as well as move a person representing a casualty, carrying them on their back, and carry ammo boxes to simulate resupplying a firing line with ammo.
Sgt. Cameron Barry, with the Aiken and Augusta Marine Recruiting Station, said the physical challenge was a positive experience for all students, not just those who are considering going into the military.
"For them to start to learn what their limits are, what they can do with those limits and how to push beyond, I think that will help not just in the physical part of the world but also in their educational experiences and the kind of career choices they go on in life," Barry said.
Barry was also happy to see AHS faculty were competing.
Aiken High Principal Jason Holt was excited to participate alongside students from both Aiken High and South Aiken High School.
Holt said he was hoping to break some personal records on the course.
"I'm glad to have an opportunity to participate in something with the kids, specifically things that help us be exposed to the great things our armed forces do, but educational as well," Holt said. "The military not only does things that keep our country safe, but they also advocate for our student's educational process."
Read the full Aiken Standard article here.