MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Physical fitness as well as professional attitude are things that commonly define Marines. Pull-ups, crunches and three-mile runs, are just a few things Marines do for fun.

It is common knowledge that all Marines have a normal job throughout the day. What most people might not know is that Marines’ extra-curricular activities are often just as intense.

Wrestling is one of these activities. To wrestle, as defined, is to contend by grappling with and striving to trip or throw an opponent down or off balance.

For Lance Cpl. Chris C. Stewart, a crash crewman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, wrestling is more than a passing extra-curricular activity. It is a passion.

Stewart is a member of the All-Marine Wrestling Team, a group of Marines throughout the Marine Corps who come together a few times a year to compete in tournaments.

Recently, the All-Marine Wrestling Team placed second in the Greco Roman Senior Nationals in Las Vegas, said Stewart, who has had a perfect score on his fitness test throughout his entire Marine Corps career.

There are fewer than 30 Marines who are members of the All-Marine team. They come together once a year to practice as a team. They have long, strenuous workouts, matches and runs, Stewart said.

It is important for these Marines to maintain peak physical condition throughout the year even though they are spread throughout the Marine Corps. It is important for the wrestlers to practice during this time. They have a limited amount of time to train, so they must get the most out of it.

“I recently took leave to wrestle in the National Championship for the All-Marine team,” said Stewart, who was a champion wrestler in high school and college.

Until recently, Stewart would workout about three times a day to maintain his physical strength, but he had no wrestling partners to practice with.

“I wrestled in high school and college,” said Pfc. Nicholis A. Peters, a crash crewman with MWSS-373.  Peters is currently training with Stewart and hopes to make the All-Marine Wrestling Team.

Any Marine can try out for the team, said Stewart, as he put on his wrestling gear.  It is up to them to have the ambition to be part of the best. 

Using the three gyms that are available on base, with their state-of-the-art equipment and personal trainers, Stewart is able to train with the best.