Do you believe Organized Unit Level Sports are a good thing for our military or not?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:35:35 -0400

Whether it is Flag Football, Softball, Volleyball or otherwise, do you feel that Organized Unit Level (Battalion, etc) Sports are a good thing for our military or not? Please explain in your comments.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 3:16 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:16:45 -0400

During my time in the 82nd we played sports on the company level for PT, and we did have a BN lv summer sporting event

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 3:23 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:23:30 -0400

I played street hockey against my CO one time, it was pretty intense.

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Apr 21 at 2015 3:31 PM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:31:49 -0400

It is good for the troops to act as a team and learn how each person
can be used in other situations. Also not a bad pt in the afternoon

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 21 at 2015 3:34 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:34:06 -0400

Absolutely... Great way to bond as a unit.

Rank needs to be left off the playing field, which, at times, becomes an issue (especially in contact sports), but it can be managed.

All for it...

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 21 at 2015 4:23 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:23:17 -0400

When deployed, it's a valuable bonding/PT type event that beats some of the other distractions out in town like crime, drugs, etc. In homeport things get complicated with competing home demands and watch schedules.

I refereed military league soccer. Rank is pretty much left off the pitch unless someone mucks up. The SEL does a good job on tamping down the enlisted offender. Problem is when you have a flaming ego Ops Boss setting the bad example. We toss them like any other bad example and we make sure the CoC gets the report through MWR. SELs really appreciate it.

The funniest example was a Marine team had a hothead Private. He wanted to know my name after I popped a yellow card on him. I just said "Referee". When I changing my shoes back at the car, the Private along with his Gunny walked by. Gunny noticed the eagle on the window and applied a perfect Mark Harmon NCIS head slap with a resounding "Dumb A!"

Response by James Jones made Apr 21 at 2015 4:59 PM

James Jones — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:59:42 -0400

Nah. Too many times I've seen sports get a bit too heated, an argument flares up, and someone drops rank/UCMJ threats.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Apr 21 at 2015 5:08 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 17:08:44 -0400

For those people that enjoy them, go for it.... HOWEVER, I have seen MANY sports related injuries.... Injury takes people out of the fight....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 1:13 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 01:13:33 -0400

I believe they are, and I believe that the intensity on the field is fine as long as it is close to appropriate behavior. Trash talking within limits has to be allowed for enjoyment all around.
What are your thoughts SFC Private RallyPoint Member?

Response by PO2 Neil Manischewitz made Apr 22 at 2015 1:18 AM

PO2 Neil Manischewitz — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 01:18:18 -0400

Absolutely, it's a great way for SM's to have fun, bond, and blow off steam from the work day without necessarily being scrutinized for their level of athleticism. Also a chance to get in some quality PT time without participants being aware!

Response by SPC Maxwell McManus made Apr 22 at 2015 1:28 AM

SPC Maxwell McManus — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 01:28:42 -0400

I hate to sit the fence on this one but the truth of the matter is that is can go either way. A basic example is this. In the year leading to my second deployment orginized sports were a great way to bring us together. It helped build unit cohesion were there might not have been. Yet as the time grew closer to our second deployment those sports became sometimes a detrement. Injuries would happen. Most were minor but with some other units they weren't. We were dwindling our fighting force before we began. Not out of lack of safety but because we as soldiers were amped up. So all in all I see good and bad in it. It really is situational.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 1:55 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 01:55:28 -0400

Push Ball, best organized military sport...EVER! Too bad we "don't want to hurt" anyone, Ultimate Frisbee is so much more fun...NOT!

Response by SrA Joshua Hagler made Apr 30 at 2015 3:35 AM

SrA Joshua Hagler — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 03:35:51 -0400

I totally wish we actually did any form of unit level sports. I remember asking about softball and even bowling. My flight chief told me right to my face that Airmen are not allowed to play. You have to learn you job first then maybe you can play. Which I understood at first, until I noticed that most of the guys who were part of the Good Ole Boy system were allowed to skip work and go play. Also, when our ops tempo increased to insane levels, we never had time for really anything outside of work. I remember growing up and seeing Navy, Marines, and Army folk playing in our recreational sports and happy doing it. Never saw any of that until my unit deployed to Korea and we beat everyone at the base at everything. It was awesome.