On a bright, sunny Friday afternoon in the first week of April, the Corps of Cadets gathered for a fierce competition—the annual octathlon. Every year, the 21 cadet companies compete against one another in eight events that challenge cadets to test their limits.
Established in the spring of 2022, the octathlon requires cadets to demonstrate speed, strength and teamwork. The first phase of the competition includes a relay race around the parade field, a tire flip relay, a medicine ball toss, an ammunition can relay, a log-lift relay and a sprint-drag-carry relay. While events like the log-lift relay require participants to do sit-ups, squats, a bench press and an overhead press, the sprint-drag-carry relay challenges teams of four students to pull a sled behind them in a forward sprint, drag the sled while running backward, sprint back while carrying two kettlebells, and then make a final dash to the finish line.
Unlike many of the other physical challenges required of the Corps, the octathlon offers a chance to compete as a team in a low-stress environment. “Everyone’s out there having a good time. You see people across companies and battalions socializing and working on team building—not just within their company, but between battalions and the entire Corps,” said Director of Physical Readiness Erin Leonard. “It builds teamwork, it builds character, and it builds inter-company unity. They’re all cheering each other on.”
The Corps-wide octathlon builds upon a meet for freshmen that takes place near the beginning of the fall semester and features many of the same events. The trophy for the winning company at the freshman meet is a shield, complemented by a gladius, or Roman sword, passed down to the winning company at the octathlon. These two events capitalize on the competitive nature of the Corps to bring the companies together. “The most discerning of all the indicators of leadership is cohesion. That’s what we call esprit de corps,” said Commandant of Cadets Col. Thomas J. Gordon, USMC, Ret., ’91. “Competition is one of the best ways to build that esprit de corps, to build that cohesion within the company. This is an opportunity for the commanders to come together, assess their units, build the teams for each of the events and put their best foot forward.”
Romeo Company Athletic Officer Austin Brown found that playing to his company’s talents paid off. “When we went out there, everybody was motivated and everybody was excited, and it quickly got competitive,” said Brown. “November Company kept beating us in every event, so we made a list of who would do best at what. It got us to the final round.”
The final two events of the octathlon are the most anticipated—a tug of war, followed by a 100-meter chariot race. When Brown stepped up for the tug of war, surrounded by his cheering company, he knew his hard work was worth it. Although Romeo Company lost to Echo, it was the highlight of the day for Brown. “Just being out there showed us how to work together as a team and be patient with each other.” Even when not on the winning team, Brown values the spirit of competition. “It helps you push your limits,” said Brown. “You can help other people push their limits, too.”
The chariot race, the octathlon’s crowning event, requires more than just athleticism. Each company enters the race with a small chariot big enough for a single person to ride in, pulled to the finish line by four cadets. Cadets are responsible for building their own chariots, which must comply with specific measurements and guidelines to ensure fairness. Many chariots are passed down from previous classes, keeping the spirit and rich traditions of the past alive. “The chariot race taps into the cadets’ creativity and ingenuity,” said Gordon. “We have some aspiring engineers and craftsmen here. You can see a lot of the company culture reflected in their chariots. Some of them are sleek, and they’re designed to be fast and to win. Others are built to display company pride.”
Whether throwing a medicine ball, flipping a tire end over end, or triumphantly pulling a chariot to the finish line, the Corps is ready to compete in any challenge, driven by the desire for excellence and esprit de corps.