MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- U.S. Marines conducted the third annual High Intensity Tactical Training championship preliminaries at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2017.

The event brought together the Marine Corps’ toughest male and female athletes to face off in obstacles that tested their speed, endurance, strength and agility.

“Here I am 15 years in the Marine Corps,” said U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Carrie White, the Provost Marshal’s Office training chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “That shows people in my peer group that they can continue to challenge themselves and set the example for Marines.”

The Marines participated in different activities such as a prone 25 yard dash, standing broad jump, a 400 yard tactical shuttle, double kettle bell lifts, inverted rows and atomic push-ups.

“Looking ahead, you see all these different obstacles knowing that for the next couple of minutes it’s going to suck because it’s pretty challenging, but it’s meant to challenge you,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aaron Joe, the Provost Marshal’s Office training non-commissioned officer in charge with H&HS. “You put your body through so much and then you’re completely exhausted, but once you cross that finish line you’re like, ‘Man, I did it.’”

Preliminary winners are slated to fly from their respective installations to compete at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, August 28-31, 2017, to be crowned the ‘Ultimate Tactical Athlete.’
“You never know until you’ve tried,” said White. “It’s all about challenging yourself.”

White placed first for the females and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Austin Finch, a flight clearance dispatcher with H&HS, placed first for the males in the preliminary round at MCAS Iwakuni and both are scheduled to leave in August to compete for the title.