PACIFIC OCEAN -- Twelve Marines and four sailors put their strength to the test during a bench press competition aboard USS Makin Island here Oct. 5.
The winner of the competition was Gunnery Sgt. John Wellons, who pressed 345 pounds.
“There were a lot of participants and I think the Marines did really well,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jason Walker, the referee during the competition.
Wellons, 30, is from Albany, Ore., and serves as the tank platoon sergeant with Battalion Landing Team 3/1. The battalion serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
“I think it’s important to incorporate fitness and fun in each event,” said Kristen Venoy, the ship’s recreation specialist. “It was a good turnout and the spectators alone made the event exciting.”
Marines and sailors enjoy social events from bingo and karaoke to movie nights with popcorn and nachos while aboard ship.
The unit which embarked USS Makin Island, the amphibious transport dock New Orleans and the dock landing ship Pearl Harbor in San Diego Sept. 28 and is participating in its final exercise before deploying in November.