Camp Bucca Pool Shootout
Guest author SPC Rebecca Weum:
SPC Donald Benge and I (SPC Rebecca Weum) both enjoy playing pool back home in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, so we decided to create a pool tournament for everyone in Bucca to join and put their skills to the test. The tournament had benefits that we did not foresee when we began. Part of our mission here overseas is to create good relations between the different countries/cultures. Even something like a soldier run, MWR Pool Shootout has done just that.
Before the tournaments began, each group pretty much kept to themselves while playing pool. There are the Ugandan’s who are part of a civilian contracted security firm, the local nationals and third world nationals who perform various tasks on Bucca and the soldiers, airmen and sailors that reside here. During the tournament we tried to pair up players with someone from a different group to compete against each other in a friendly game of pool. Doing this allowed the different groups to talk to each other and learn about their different backgrounds. Now, when tournaments are finished for the night and any other time, these groups intermix and play various games with each other. This is really cool even though we didn’t see this coming.
One of the perks of Camp Bucca is that we are provided with great facilities, especially our MWR building, which contains three pool tables four table tennis tables, a library and a fleet of TVs along with either a DVD player or one of three game systems(Xbox 360, PS3 or the Nintendo Wii).
Jul 31, 2009 at 12:34 a.m.
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Actually, we do all kinds of sports activities here during off-duty hours. The outdoor sports such as Softball, Football and Boxing are done in the evening hours, so temperatures are only a meer 100-110 instead of 140. I'm looking forward to playing a game of football on sand rather than grass. Could prove to be interesting.
Jul 30, 2009 at 11:38 a.m.
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I know they play softball against other units also.
Jul 30, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.
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Thanks topsgt132! Sounds like our troops are getting an education in international relations by rubbing elbows with other members of the coalition forces.
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Are basketball and other outdoor sports out of the question when temperature is over 130?
Jul 30, 2009 at 4 a.m.
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Since they were not identified. (and patriot1 asked) The Soldiers in the photo are (l-r) Private First Class Baker, Specialist Benge, Specialist Weum and Sergeant Sonnentag. All are currently assigned to Company A out of Janesville.
Jul 30, 2009 at 1:29 a.m.
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1SG shook the rust out of his pool game and was actually up by 4 balls in a game against one of the Ugandan Security Forces and couldn't get a line on the 8 and lost. He has signed up for the next tourney.
There is actually quite a bit here to help occupy our free time. Pool tables, ping-pong tables, a small movie theater, fun runs, an archery range with limited equipment and, as SPC Weum said, other equipment and opportunities help pass the time and allow us to meet people from this and other countries.
The Soldiers in the photo took it on themselves to fill this void. They weren't told to do this and they don't get paid for their time. These are just a few of your Company A soldiers.
Jul 29, 2009 at 3:51 p.m.
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The belt is so that they can be seen at night and not run over.
Jul 29, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
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What's with those white belts? Do they have some special significance?
Jul 29, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.
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It would be more fun if they shot pool with their guns instead of poking them with sticks. Do you need a license to shoot pool over there? I would think a small game license would be sufficient.
Jul 29, 2009 at 9:29 a.m.
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You need to get the first sargeant playing pool, he use to be pretty good.
Jul 29, 2009 at 8:52 a.m.
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What a great way to keep up morale!!!
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Keep the faith and thanks to all of you over there!!!
Jul 29, 2009 at 4:24 a.m.
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Ok....Weum looks good, but who are the other "3 Stooges"?
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