Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort -- The Single Marine and Sailor Program for the Tri-Command sponsored a trip to Paintball Charleston, Jan. 25. The paintball trip offers service members opportunities to participate in morale and camaraderie building activities to improve unit cohesion.
"It’s very popular," said Benjie Pangelinan, assistant coordinator for SMP. "It’s also inexpensive. It’s good when you see people who’ve never done it, especially when you go up to this park and just get a good experience and meet new friends and have a good time."
Lance Cpl. Corrine Brice, a consumable management division specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, played paintball for the first time on the trip. Another consumable management division specialist with MALS-31, Lance Cpl. Jan Bush, has attended the same trip before.
They dodged around buildings and obstacles with their team mates, searching out opposing players. One player made her way up a tower, ducking low behind the wall and popped up to shoot unsuspecting players.
"An opportunity to play paintball again just to get out there with other Marines sounded like a good time," said Bush. "It’s not that much money and it gives you a chance to get off base and try new things. It’s a waste to pass up these opportunities."
The SMP program offers a myriad of events for Marines to take advantage of each month. Some upcoming trips hosted by SMP include a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., a whitewater rafting trip, and a zip line adventure, and the benefits go beyond activities.
"It’s a positive atmosphere," said Brice. "You’re not around a whole bunch of trouble or potentially getting into trouble."
Although Brice was ready to leave by the end of the day, she said she enjoyed her first day playing paintball, and is looking forward to the next trip.