Barracks Bash

"The purpose of the Barracks Bash is to provide an alcohol-free special event that is targeted to the junior enlisted single Sailors," said Danny Calhan, liberty coordinator for MWR. "There is no other event of this size that is specifically for them. Not only are we providing an event for the junior enlisted single Sailors, but we are bringing it to where they live."

When Sailors first arrived they were directed to a giveaway table where they received free Barracks Bash 2007 T-shirts, giveaway bags and a ticket for prize drawings. "When the Sailors get their tickets they must visit each of the sports stations and get it punched off," said Darlene Biclarski, who works with the MWR Liberty program. "Once they're done they turn the ticket in and we do a prize drawing every half hour."

The prizes included sports T-shirts and jerseys, commissary gift cards and an autographed Jacksonville Sun's baseball and Orlando Magic basketball.

CSSN Daniel Schnider knocks AD3 Mikal Brown off balance during a go at the joust during the Barracks Bash.

Many Sailors headed to the food line after receiving their giveaways. The food, which was prepared by The Zone, included bratwurst, pulled pork and nacho chips with cheese. Drinks were also provided by the NAS Jax Commissary and CocaCola.

AOC(AW) David Butts, from the Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax, poses with Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders Tiffany Bowen (left) and Courtney Brown, who visited the Barracks Bash May 9.

Some of the sports stations included a gladiator-style jousting competition, a horizontal bungee jump and a 3-in-1 station that included a football throw, basketball toss and soccer kick. The most popular station seemed to be the dunk tank, which was manned by several khakis, including NAS Jacksonville Executive Officer (XO) Capt. Chuck Tamblyn and Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW) Chris Green.

"I love the dunk tank, but I thought more people should've been in uniform aside from the XO and I," said Green, who along with Tamblyn didn't even bother to take their shoes off before entering the tank.

Green continued on his thoughts of the Barracks Bash. "It's a great event. It draws Sailors out of their rooms and exposes them to what Liberty can do for them," he said. "It's not only free and gets them away from their usual routine, but it coincides with the Right Spirit Campaign."

One of the Sailors who participated in the Barracks Bash was AN Lashea Harrison, who works on the quarterdeck in Building 1 and lives in the barracks. "I had a lot of fun. I think it was my favorite MWR event so far," she said. "It's a good way to get out and meet the people you live around. I've met a lot of my friends at events like this."

Green praised the MWR Liberty program coordinators saying, "They operate on a pretty tight budget and the fact that they can do events like that, on such a big scale is great."

AMAA William Wood (left), from HS-3 and Geno Hartwell, take time to get autographs from Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders and Jaxson de Ville, the team's mascot.

Calhan described planning process that goes into the Barracks Bash. "We start in January, deciding on a theme and a menu. This year we chose a sports theme, which is why we incorporated the Jacksonville Jaguars and several sports related games," he said. "From there, Darlene (Biclarski) and I brainstorm on what type of activities we think would be fun for the Sailors. After the planning stage we order the shirts, marketing material and entertainment. Once we have everything ordered, we work with our marketing and sponsorship coordinator to find sponsors that will give us prizes for the event."

According to Calhan, the morning of the event is the busiest for the MWR team. "We have to transport everything that we ordered from the Liberty Cove Recreation Center to the barracks courtyard, set up tents, tables, chairs and put out the food," he said.

"With everything that needs to be done the week leading up to the Barracks Bash, Darlene and I would not have been able to do it alone. Every year, the entire MWR Department steps up to help with donating prizes, setting up, running activities and clean up. This event is truly a team effort."

Members of the Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleader and football teams visited the Sailors during the event.

The cheerleaders included: Courtney Brown, Tiffany Bowen, Sunny Hill and Christina Reyes. The football players included defensive linemen Kenny Pettway and James Wyche and offensive lineman Tony Pashos. The team's mascot, Jaxson de Ville also entertained the crowd with his antics.

Next year's Barracks Bash is being planned for early May. MWR would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: GEICO, Football Fanatics, Jagmania Plus, River City Racefans, Jacksonville Suns, CocaCola, CZee Cyberzone.

Neither MWR, nor the U.S. Navy or any other part of the federal government officially endorses any company, sponsor or its products or services.