Mantathalon

What is a mantathalon? you might ask. Well, in the words of our Communications Officer, it is Mantastic! I'm sure that helps increase your understanding, doesn't it? Our Battalion Commander requests to know if women are allowed to participate in the manthalon and is assured that they are.

Basically it boils down to a running (created?) feud between our communications and supply sections. The powerpoint explains that comm dominated in ultimate football, supply eked out a victory in basketball (slides designed by the comm-o...surprised much?), and that the Oki Panda Mantathalon was inconclusive. Thus, another manthalon must be held in order to determine which section is the true champion.

The mantathalon consisted of seven events over a week, including strength, speed, agility, endurance, intelligence, and skill capped off with a team challenge last Sunday night. The team challenge was a thirty-minute seven-on-seven grappling match, with the winner determined by shop that forced the most taps. Each Marine had a safety observer to ensure they would not be injured and small joint (wrists, ankles, fingers, etc.) manipulations were not permitted. A good number of the officers and staff NCOs in the Battalion turned out to watch the match in addition to the rest of the comm and supply shops.

The Marines started off with a lot of energy but tired quickly. They would grapple, going 2 on 1, 3 on 1, even 4 on 1 when they eliminated their opponents, until one entire side was out. They would gather on their side of the mat and lean heavily on their hands, trying to catch their breath before the next match. The director of the match would point at each side and ask if they were ready, then signal for them to start again.

Thirty minutes is a long time to grapple, but they stuck with it. Spectators would occasionally offer suggestions, but mostly just watched and enjoyed the entertainment. When time was finally called, the Marines collapsed on the mat. Supply had won the grappling match, but comm had the overall lead in the contest, and the XO presented the trophy, a ridiculous-looking belt, to the comm shop.

The match was like a picnic with friends...a short time on a Sunday evening to relax before plowing head-long into the week.