Marines Participate in Training Hike to Benefit Local People in Need

On March 10, 2023, Marines stationed with the 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, participated in a unique canned food collection opportunity that helped benefit local community food banks in Onslow County, North Carolina. While many canned food drives occur during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, there is often a dearth of them at other times of the year. The 2nd Supply Battalion realized that there was still a need in the community even during these other times of the year, so they decided to take advantage of one of their routine training hikes to help.

Marines stationed with the 2nd Supply Battalion are required to periodically participate in sixmile training hikes that require them to carry packs weighing 50 pounds. Typically, these packs contain standard issue gear; however, on this hike, Marines were given the opportunity to substitute their standard gear for canned goods instead, as long as their packs still weighed 50 pounds. Many of the Marines in the 2nd Supply Battalion took advantage of the opportunity to help their community. Participating Marines stuffed their packs with canned goods, hiked to a halfway point (three miles away), deposited their canned goods in provided boxes, and then finished the rest of their hike. Because participation in this event was so great, Marines were able not only to overflow the boxes provided at the halfway point, but they also covered the floor of the van designated to pick up the donations with canned goods.

Capt. Christopher Schnackenberg, the future operations officer of 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group commented on the event: “It’s good to build relationships with the local community. In doing this we’re putting on a positive face for the Marine Corps, especially in a time of peace, where we can buckle down and instill ourselves within the community as a positive force.”

The United States Marine Corps’ core values are honor, courage, and commitment. The 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group is strongly focused on these core values, and its participation in this event exemplifies that dedication. For their commitment to service, Salute recognizes the Marines of the 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group as the Unit of the Quarter for Summer 2023. If you know of a unit doing great things, please let us know at editor@familymedia.com.