Marine Training in the Desert Builds Small Unit Leadership

Photo By Cpl. Robert Medina | Lance Cpl. Curtis Shirey, scout from Flint, Mich., with Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, reloads a magazine during the final firing portion of training in the Middle East. The training refined and refreshed the Marines' fire and maneuvering skills, fire movement and combat marksmanship skills. The 13th MEU and Boxer Amphibious Ready Group are currently on a deployment in support of regional and Maritime Security Operations.  

06.10.2009

Story by Cpl. Robert Medina 

13th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

MIDDLE EAST - Loud blasts from a 25 millimeter chain-gun rip through the quiet desert air as Marines maneuver through a river-bed under the cover of night. Keeping constant communication with each other, they simulate fighting their way to the objective.

Marines from Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, an attachment of Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted training in a desert environment June 2 - 5. The training refined and refreshed the Marines' fire and maneuvering skills, fire movement and combat marksmanship skills.

"We wanted to develop small unit leadership," said Sgt. Adrian Aguilar, a section leader with LAR. "The scenarios we conducted allowed the junior Marines a chance to take charge of a fire team."

Aguilar, from Juarez, Mexico, said that as more senior Marines leave the LAR platoon, junior Marines have to be ready to take their place.

"We want to pass all our knowledge on to our scouts," said Aguilar.

The Marines practiced live-fire maneuvers up riverbeds and mountain sides. This training allowed them to strengthen their communication skills within fire teams.

The night was also a key element the Marines used for their training. Live-fire combat marksmanship program shoots, night raids and ambushes were all conducted under the cover of darkness.

"We own the night with our night-vision goggles and all our night fighting capabilities," said Aguilar. "We want the scouts to feel comfortable fighting at night."

Along with the scouts in the platoon, the light armored vehicle crew conducted their own training which consisted of fire and maneuver drills with their LAV's, marksmanship training and night shoots.

The crew had an opportunity to practice and perfect their skills within their LAV's during the training.

"A lot of our drivers are new and we wanted them to get experience behind the gun," said Sgt. DeAndray Dyer, LAV commander with LAR. "A lot of the gunners are also new and we wanted them to move up as vehicle commanders when we return from deployment."

"This was a confidence builder for the crew," said Dyer, from Kalamazoo, Mich. "When they get into any situation they will know exactly what to do." The exercise ended with an all out simulated assault on their targets, shooting every weapon system they had at targets down range.

Dyer said for many, it was what everyone was looking forward to doing.

• Date Taken: 06.10.2009
• Date Posted: 06.10.2009 07:19
• Story ID: 34817