Page 22 - mch0618_Magazine

TOP PRIORITY

Camel Racing Helps Morale in Kuwait Marine Corps, Navy
Lodges Work on 2018
ost nation cultural events provide
Hservicemembers with first-hand ex- Upgrades
perience to enhance their understanding
of different cultures. They help facilitate he Navy Lodge program operated by
stronger communications and bonds with Tthe Navy Exchange Service Command
the local population. A strong compo- (NEXCOM) and Marine Corps Community
nent of Morale, Welfare and Recreation Services (MCCS) have provided overviews
(MWR) programs at bases outside the of lodging projects under way during the
United States is often a leisure travel current fiscal year.
and tours program.
In Kuwait, that can mean camel races. NAVY LODGE
Soldiers from Camp Arifjan had the In 2018, the Navy Lodge Program
opportunity to observe a camel race and continues to bring a new look and new
ride a camel during an MWR cultural experience for military members and their
event in Kabad, southwest of Kuwait City, families. In 2017, 10 Navy Lodges were
March 31. It was a chance to increase In Kabad, Kuwait, Spc. Brooke Hargen- renovated (see page 20), and the same
rader, a chemical, biological, radiological
cultural awareness as well as to enhance and nuclear (CBRN) specialist with Head- number are slated to be spiffed up this year.
the morale of troops stationed in Kuwait. quarters Support Company, Headquarters According to a NEXCOM spokesman,
“We are over 6,000 miles away from and Headquarters Battalion, 28th Infantry Navy Lodges slated for renovation in 2018
home operating in a foreign country,” Division, experiences her first camel ride. are those in Bethesda, Md.; Fort Worth,
said 1st Lt. Amanda Wendling, assistant Texas; Atsugi, Japan; Corpus Christi, Tex-
operations officer and MWR coordinator with the 28th Infantry Division’s as; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Bangor, Wash.;
Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (HHBN). Oceana-Dam Neck, Va.; Kings Bay, Ga.;
“We can’t appreciate this land, its people and culture from behind the gates New London, Conn., and Pensacola, Fla.
of the installation. The MWR program is our opportunity to immerse with the A number of Navy Lodges will have
local community and experience a culture that is novel to us as individuals, new playgrounds installed, and the final
but very old in the scheme of history.” phase of the new large television addition
“The MWR program isn’t just an opportunity for us to learn, but also a will be complete by the end of 2018.
chance for us to say something about ourselves through the way we behave The Navy Lodge program will be
and treat the people that we interact with,” she said. celebrating its 50th anniversary in
Camel racing is a centuries-old cultural tradition and customary pastime of 2019, the spokesman told Military
Kuwait. The camel-racing season begins in late October and ends sometime Club & Hospitality, so there are sure
in April. However, depending on the weather, it may begin earlier or end later to be more great things on the horizon
in the year. There is no entrance fee to attend camel racing or to ride a camel. to better serve military members and
“Being able to attend the camel race in Kuwait and to get out into the com- their families in the coming months.
munity and interact with the nationals was a great experience,” said Spc. Erin
Murphy, a human resource specialist with Headquarters Support Company MARINE CORPS
(HSC), HHBN, 28th Infantry Division. “To be able to become immersed in the For 2018, the Inns of the Corps has
culture really gave me an understanding of this new place where I’m stationed.” implemented new construction and design
Unlike American horse racing, remote controlled robots that look like guidelines. According to an MCCS spokes-
miniature jockeys ride the camels. The camel owners race in their vehicles on man, for all refresh and new builds, the
the outer side of the track alongside the camel to operate the robot. Inns of the Corps facilities will have two
“Camel racing is a lot different than the horse racing back home,” said Spc. new color palettes from which to choose:
Ashley Standard, human resource specialist with HSC. “It was interesting to a “Cool Comfort” theme featuring blues,
me that there were no bets involved and that there were no prizes for the win- greens and browns, and a “Warm Crisp”
ner; the racing was just for fun.” theme featuring reds, yellows and browns.
Report and photos by Master Sgt. Daniel Palermo, Task Force Spartan Public Affairs, 28th New facilities are in the development
Infantry Division [Pennsylvania Army National Guard] pipeline to replace end-of life inventory,
the spokesman said.
At Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, a
35-room temporary lodging facility (TLF)
is under construction to replace the exist-
ing 13-room facility.
At Twentynine Palms, Calif., a 76-room
Spectators, including soldiers from Camp facility is under construction to replace
Arifjan, Kuwait, cheer as their favorite the existing 35-room facility.
camels race to the finish. The soldiers According to the spokesman, after these
had an opportunity to observe the race projects have been completed, Inns of the
and ride a camel during an MWR cultural Corps will have 1,209 guest rooms in its
event in Kabad, Kuwait, in March. total room inventory.

22 MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | JUNE 2018