JAC HAMMERS Endure "Winter Tough Guy 2009: The Brave and the Beautiful"

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park, Commander's Action Group
  • JIOCEUR Analytic Center
ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England --  Two were on their third Tough Guy challenge, two more were veterans of "Tough Guy Nettle Warrior" summer 2007, and four were new to the event --one of whom was the JAC photographer from last summer who liked what he captured on film last time so much he wanted to do it for himself. 

All eight JAC HAMMERS team members knew they would get wet, sore, filthy and possibly worse in the 2009 winter event called "Tough Guy the Brave and the Beautiful" and joining hundreds of other contestants at the start of the coldest "Tough Guy" on record with bone chilling temperatures bordering on freezing with a wind chill of -8 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Led by JAC Commander, Marine Corps Col. Pete Devlin, the JAC HAMMERS eight took on British, German, and other European groups sporting a variety of attire including the de rigueur "Borat-style" swimsuits, knight's costumes, top hats and more. 

The event held in Perton, England consists of a cross country run followed by an assault course. According to the organizer, "Mr. Mouse" running the course involves risking barbed wire, cuts, scrapes, burns, dehydration, hypothermia, acrophobia, claustrophobia, twists, joint dislocation, broken bones and death. Before running the course you must sign a 'death warrant' which states that you accept the risks and run the course of your own choice and can not claim in the case of injury. " 

As noted on the Tough Guy website, "Tough Guy will always be a physically challenging, mentally demanding, fear inducing, visual spectacular. After you have taken part you will understand why thousands keep coming back, year after year to experience some of the most demanding yet rewarding challenges of their life! We have searched the world amongst military and security forces to find any unit with a more demanding ONE DAY survival training ordeal. The US Navy S.E.A.L.S. 'Grinder' Assault Course is our nearest rival." 

Commenting on the success of the winter event afterward, Mr. Mouse said "St John's Ambulance were absolutely marvelous: 10 ambulances nonstop ferrying the injured out of the 'Killing Fields' and some to Accident and Emergency. The divers in the lakes were frozen to their bones but determined to get everyone through the 'Underwater Cavern.' Lots of broken legs and limbs. but Tough Guy™ didn't kill anyone." 

Col Devlin commented: "In the tires obstacle no one can hear you scream!"