Tagging with the Graduating Marine Recruits

5 minutes ago

3 min read

What an amazing day laser tagging with some graduating Marine Corps recruits and their families on base at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego! This was truly an honor and a real privilege to be invited by Sector 7 Laser Tag to join them to play laser tag on Family Day alongside the Marine recruits about to graduate from boot camp as they enjoyed some special time visiting with their family members. My thanks and gratitude to these recruits dedicated to serving our country.

I arrived at MCRD not knowing what to expect. After being screened by security and having my vehicle checked I was allowed onto the military base where I found Sector 7 owner Lance Walkington and his staff setting up for a full day of laser tag in their arena.

Although this is technically a mobile arena, I am including it in my arena count because MCRD San Diego is this arena’s consistent location with laser tag operating nearly every week as Marine recruits like these regularly graduate from their training programs on this base.

As part of Family Day, laser tag was being offered as a recreational activity for the graduating recruits to enjoy with their families who were visiting prior to the boot camp graduation ceremonies planned for the following day. I saw lots of families wearing shirts that said things like “Marine Mom” or “Proud Sister of a Marine” and it was really sweet to see the support these families were showing to our future service men and women.

Lots of people were purchasing souvenirs at the laser tag booth. I must say, this is some of the most unique “tag swag” I’ve ever brought back.

Sector 7 Laser Tag uses Zone Helios 2 gear and they set up 18 packs on a rack with military themed pack names for the players to use.

Inside the arena there were tarps and netting set up to create the maze.

The whole structure pulsed with upbeat music and atmospheric fog. This was laser tag done right and the groups that came through really seemed to enjoy!

I loved getting to play this system both with and against the Marine recruits. Of course this is in no way comparable to the training they do, but it was really gratifying to play well against such qualified competition. We compared scores on an outdoor monitor after each round.

I had such a wonderful time experiencing laser tag with all these groups!

It was an honor to be able to personally thank and congratulate each of the graduating recruits as they joined a laser tag game. I’d like to take this opportunity to give a special shout out to each of the Marine recruits I had the privilege of laser tagging with throughout the day including these recruits who, by the time you read this, are now U.S. Marines:

William Davis

Quenten Taylor

Isaac Contreras

Jorden Doty

Benjamin Sparks

Brandon Avina

Christopher Fernandez

Simon Baltz

Niki Porinchok

Jaylon Reed

Micah Zamoradubon

Dylan Alexander Watts

Mason Jette

Kyzar Bryant

DJ Tomokane

Luis Lemussantoyo

John Sanchez

Anthony Lopez

My thanks also to Lance and the Sector 7 team with Damian, Wendell, Jillian and Kelly keeping things running smoothly all day long. It was nice to have a chance to “talk shop” with Lance in between the games as groups of players steadily cycled through.

I had no idea how much this day would mean to me, but it truly was the highlight of my tag trip. I’m very glad that it coincided so well with ending my journey on the west coast. This was really a once in a lifetime opportunity to share a game of laser tag with these dedicated individuals.