Photo By Lance Cpl. Isaac Velasco | U.S. Marines with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group,...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP PENDLETON, California - As Marines advance on a range, they look ahead and observe their surroundings. Breaking their concentration, a Tactical Small Unit Leader's Course instructor shouts, triggering a fire team to lay suppressive rounds on a notional enemy, then locate the nearest protective cover. As the Marines reengage, they begin to advance, conducting fire and maneuver tactics in pairs.
This buddy-rushing exercise was only a fraction of what Marines from 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, executed during TSULC at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 25 to Nov. 9, 2022.
“The Tactical Small Unit Leader's Course is bringing together the best of fireteam leader tactics and skills,” said Capt. Matthew Riloff, an intelligence officer with 1st Radio Battalion, I MIG. “This course is bringing the fighter-leader concept into the electronic warfare community.”
The course began with classroom-based instruction, instructors taught about different weapons and optics systems, fire team skills and other tactics, techniques and procedures. After receiving classroom instruction, students made movement to a nearby training area to conduct land navigation. While there, the Marines also learned immediate action drills.
“The third part of the Tactical Small Unit Leader's Course was a field week where we went out and conducted infantry based training,” said Cpl. Blaise Glennon, an electronic warfare operator with 1st Radio Battalion, I MIG. “We hiked, conducted land navigation, and rehearsed movement to contact drills.”
Upon completion of land navigation, the Marines were instructed to conduct patrols. During the patrols, they were given notional ambushes in different directions. This forced the Marines to apply the immediate action drills they learned.
“We took the academic skills for patrolling and infantry tactics and applied them to the field for practical application where they did about a week's worth of fire team tactics and patrolling,” said Riloff.
The final portion of the course consisted of events such as fire and maneuver, buddy rushing and unknown distance shooting. The Marines also practiced suppression tactics while firing an M240B machine gun.
“We're putting them, [Marines], in a position where they have to get out of their comfort zone and make decisions,” said Riloff. “This will help them lead their team and fight in a way that will allow them to keep up with an infantry unit; where there's not as much time to think through a problem before they need to act with purpose.”
Throughout the duration of the course, the Marines showed progression through decision making skills and the ability to adapt and overcome obstacles.
“That's what we're teaching our team leaders to do,” said Riloff. “I've seen them significantly improve their decision making capabilities and confidence to fall in with an infantry unit.”
This TSULC enhanced the capabilities of 1st Radio Battalion by teaching its non-commissioned officers infantry tactics. With this knowledge, they become a more effective fighting force increasing their capability to lead in any possible combat situation.
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2022 16:51 |
| Story ID: | 433589 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 1st Radio Battalion tackles Tactical Small Unit Leader's Course, by LCpl Isaac Velasco, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
