Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA --
For the third year in a row, the High Intensity Tactical
Training program (HITT) will answer the question, “Who among the few and proud
are the toughest tactical warrior athletes within the Marine Corps?” as
instillations across the world host preliminary competitions for a chance to
travel to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, August 28-31, to
compete in the HITT finals to prove who is the best of the best.
Marine Corps Base Quantico’s HITT program will host its
final preliminary June 30 from 8‒10:30 a.m. at Butler Stadium.
The competition is open to active duty Marines only and
every Marine will participate on an individual basis in their Marine issued boots
and utes.
Preliminary events will be facilitated and validated by the
HITT program coordinator, as no deviation from the preliminary event protocols
will be allowed.
Marines who participate must have command approval and a
complete registration form submitted to the installation HITT program coordinator
prior to the preliminary event June 30; otherwise participation will not be
allowed.
The registration forms can be found on the Quantico Semper
Fit Facilities HITT website (click on 2017 HTAC registration link), or at the
trainer’s desk at the Barber Physical Activities Center. Completed registration
forms can be emailed to HITT Coordinator Charles Yackle at charles.yackle@usmc-mccs.org,
or submitted in person at the trainer’s desk.
“We want to send the best Marine-athletes to compete in the
championship from Marine Corps Base Quantico,” Yackle said. “Other HITT program
coordinators use this competition as a bragging right for the entire year and every
installation wants to send the winners to the championship.”
Last year, Staff Sgt. Lauren Schoener, an agent with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona and
Cpl. Joshua Boozer from 29 Palms, brought the title back to their installations
last year. Marine Staff Sgt. Amanda
Jenks, Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, represented MCBQ last year and
placed third, an honor, considering the difficulty of the competition.
In an interview between Marine Corps Community Services and Schoener,
the female Marine said she was inspired to push through to the end, especially
when she found herself in first place by the end of day two.
“My secret to success is to be tenacious, consistent and always
try anything twice,” said Schoener.
The competition consists of three events meant to push Marines
past their breaking point by combining the five unified components of
functional based training—movement prep; strength and power; speed, agility and
endurance; flexibility and core stability; recovery and mobility.
Marine warrior athletes will take part in the HITT
performance combine, a test of athletic prowess comprised of the pro agility
drill, 3-cone drill, kneeling med ball throw, standing broad jump, prone
25-yard sprint and the 300-yard shuttle.
A 400-yard tactical shuttle run and strength challenge will
also be included. The 400-yard tactical shuttle run is a test on anaerobic
capacity and mettle, consisting of a 50-yard sprint with the Frog training
device, 100-yard fireman’s carry with a sandbag, 100-yard run with kettle bells
and a 100-yard bear hug run with a sandbag.
The strength challenge consists of a kettle bell dead lift,
TRX (utilizing straps) inverted row, and TRX atomic push-up. The objective is
to complete as many repetitions as possible in one minute for each movement.
HITT performance combine and the 400-yard tactical shuttle
run will be scored by time and the strength challenge will be scored based on
repetitions.
According to Yackle, the set-up is very structured, meaning
all competitors will move from one event to the next in an orderly fashion and
while all events are expected to be completed with maximum effort, Marines are
provided ample time for rest—something that is not usually incorporated in
CrossFit type workouts or functions.
“I want this competition to bring attention to the benefits
the HITT program has on Marines aboard Quantico,” Yackle said. “As a
professional strength and conditioning coach, I fully endorse the HITT program
as a superior training platform for the active duty Marine and right now not
enough Marines are utilizing the program and the professionals running it.”
According to the National Strength and Conditioning
Association’s (NSCA) Tactical Strength and Conditioning (TSAC) NSCA-TSAC
Department, the HITT program methodology offers a comprehensive and balanced
strength and conditioning approach specific for combat readiness and physical
resiliency.
The primary purpose of the HITT program is to enhance operational
fitness levels and optimize combat readiness and resiliency for the active duty
Marine.
This comprehensive strength and conditioning program takes
into consideration the physical demands of operational related activities in
order to optimize physical performance while in combat by implementing the
latest cutting edge training methods and fundamental scientific principles.
HITT has many
advantages including preventing potential injuries through a well-designed,
balanced and progressive prevention program, thus minimizing muscle imbalances,
strengthening tendons and ligaments, along with increasing work capacity.
It also increases performance levels that support combat-specific
tasks through sound strength and conditioning programs designed around a comprehensive
approach, balancing all facets of performance enhancement and exercises that
will transfer to the demands of combat.
The goal is to build strong Marines and further optimize
their mobility and speed so these mobilized warriors may deliver more force on
demand.
Check the MCCS Semper Fit Facilities website (quantico.usmc-mccs.org/index.cfm/semper-fit/semper-fit-facilities/hitt-high-intensity-tactical-training-center/)
or call the HITT coordinator at 703-432-0592 for the most up-to-date information.
jbeale@quanticosentryonline.com