New recruits participated in a Missouri National Guard training exercise at Camp Geiger this last weekend.

More than 80 new recruits participated in the training exercises that included land navigation, a Humvee push, evaluating a casualty, splinting a fracture, medical evacuation, dodge ball and a physical training test.

The idea was to make the training fun and exciting rather than sitting in a classroom, said Staff Sgt. Michael Thomas, the Recruit Sustainment coordinator for the area.

The team that crossed the finish line first was a group of six recruits: Pfc. Cody Squire, of Rosendale, Mo.; Pvt. Catherine Frederick, of Holt, Mo.; Pvt. Nathan Ousley, of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; Pvt. Nathon Hoepner, of Chillicothe, Mo.; Pvt. Joshua Rash, of Lawson, Mo.; and Pvt. Steven Bush, of Maryville, Mo. The group completed all events more than two hours ahead of schedule.

"We had to stick together and work as a team," Miss Frederick said. "Sometimes I was wrong and it was nice to have another teammate there to help me find the right answer."

For winning, the group took home backpacks that hold water for hydration, and were able to sleep in during the next day's drill.

"This team had a lot more cohesion and worked better as a team," Mr. Thomas said.

Recruit sustainment is a program for new Missouri National Guard recruits to gain the skills needed before attending basic training or advanced individual training.