From the Seas to the Screens: Sailors and Allies Compete in Groundbreaking Navy MWR RIMPAC Esports Event
July 19, 2024 | Story by Megan Trexler | Commander, Navy Installations Command
WASHINGTON --- On July 5, 2024, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) hosted the first Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Esports tournament at the Kona Winds Complex esports lounge. This innovative event was integrated into the larger RIMPAC exercise, representing the first inclusion of esports in its lineup of sporting competitions. Participants from the United States, Germany, Republic of Korea, Italyand Brunei came together to compete.
RIMPAC, the world's largest international maritime exercise is designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships among participants and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2024 is a monumental event, involving over 25,000 personnel from 29 nations, more than 40 vessels and 150 aircraft.
The tournament, co-hosted by Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s (MWR) Entertainment and Liberty Programs, with support from JBPHH’s MWR team, saw 128 enthusiastic gamers compete in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. This event was a component of the RIMPAC Cup Championship, which includes over a dozen sporting events aimed at fostering camaraderie among participating nations.
Melissa Darling, MWR Director at JBPHH, expressed her enthusiasm for the event’s turnout and energy. "One of my favorite programs is the one that we haven't done before," she remarked. "With this esports event, we're engaging with our Liberty service members, particularly younger enlisted personnel. It’s wonderful to see everyone participating and supporting their fellow service members.”
The tournament had a lively atmosphere, with participants noting the unique experience of competing in-person. One spectator noted, "It's great to see how many people are into esports. It's nice to have a break from the ship and meet new people who are into gaming. There are teams out here who are so energetic. It keeps things exciting and keeps the crowd pumped."
Participants echoed this sentiment, with many highlighting the unique experience of in-person competition. Izabelle Leahigh, an Airman stationed at JBPHH and a member of team ‘Weewoo,’ shared, "This was my first time competing in something like this. It was super awesome. We're a new team and new players, so our goal was to get to the second round, and we did just that. Overall, this was a great experience. I would absolutely do it again."
For others, like Dylan Dunfee from team ‘Nuke70,’ it held more significance than just a game. "This was my first Call of Duty tournament. Normally I play Fortnite and Warzone. But I'm out here gaming with my friends, having a great time while proudly representing my ship and my country!" Nuke70 consists of Sailors from the USS Carl Vinson, who are currently participating in the RIMPAC exercise.
The tournament concluded with a victory for ‘The Highlanders,’ another team from the USS Carl Vinson. Cameron Dixon, a member of the winning team, expressed his excitement, stating, "I've been playing in the MWR tournaments for a while. My buddies are really good Call of Duty players, and so, when we saw the registration email, we knew we needed to sign up. Our mindset coming in was 'let's get the jersey,' and it looks like we're leaving with the jersey," he said with a huge smile, proudly holding up the exclusive RIMPAC Esports championship jersey that his team won.
This esports tournament marked a new and exciting addition to the RIMPAC Cup Championship, providing service members a fresh platform to compete and build lasting connections. As Darling summed up, "While esports is new this year for RIMPAC MWR programming, it still provides the competition and camaraderie we've been offering for years. Whether it's esports, soccer, tennis or another sport, during the match everyone is in full competitor mode. But afterward, they're congratulating each other... it's a testament to their excellent sportsmanship."
Navy MWR’s mission is to deliver high-quality, customer-focused programs and services that contribute to resiliency, retention, readiness and quality of life. Navy MWR Esports is a Community Recreation initiative designed to provide entertainment and recreation opportunities through competitive sports. This multidimensional initiative also increases programming opportunities at MWR Liberty Centers through technological improvements and provides top-quality esports competitions to the Navy community. Navy MWR Liberty offers single and unaccompanied junior Sailors (E1-E6) recreational and leisure programs, trips and outings, outdoor adventure activities, entertainment and cultural experiences, volunteer and outreach experiences and social activities. Navy MWR Entertainment tours make a positive impact on the morale of our troops. The program provides quality, live entertainment for Sailors stationed overseas and on deployed ships at sea. For more information about the program, visit NavyMWR.org/Entertainment.