Photo By Staff Sgt. Francisco Salas | Pfc. Lawrence Johnson of Company D, Task Force ODIN-A, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, TF...... read more read more
Subscribe
Story by: Staff Sgt. Francisco Salas
Task Force Falcon Unit Public Affairs Representative
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Three Task Force Falcon Soldiers had a rare opportunity to participate in the Marine Corps Corporal's Course, a rite of passage for all junior Marine non-commissioned officers, which graduated Feb. 24.
U.S. Army Specialists Robert Dean, a wheeled mechanic with Headquarters and Support Company, Task Force Workhorse, from Lexington, Ky.; Spc. Ritchie Lopez, an aviation operations specialist with Headquarters and Support Company, TF Observe, Detect, Identify, Neutralize-Afghanistan, from Fresno, Calif.; and Pfc. Lawrence Johnson, an intelligence analyst with Company D, Task Force ODIN-A, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, TF Falcon, from Atlanta; took part in the 16-day course, which is the preliminary introduction to what it takes to be a non-commissioned officer in the Marine Corps.
The course, comparable to the U.S. Army's Warrior Leader Course for non-commissioned officers, taught in various areas such as warfighting, decision making and critical thinking in a classroom and outdoor environment.
This was a rare opportunity for the three Soldiers, who welcomed the challenge no matter the differences.
"[The Marines] have a different mentality," said Dean. "We seem to put our military occupational specialties first, but the Marines train to be riflemen first."
"We are going to push them hard," said Marine Sgt. Christopher Ostrander, the lead instructor for the Marine Corps Corporal's Course at Bagram. "We are going to push them so that their [subordinates] never can. It's going to be tough. We are not here to break anybody, but we are here to make better leaders."
Ostrander has served for seven years in the Marines and was instructing the second cycle of the course. He said that to be disciplined, fair and have passion motivates him and the students. This same mentality also helps level everyone in the classroom to be on the same playing field.
Despite the different uniform worn, the Soldiers were not treated any differently than the Marines.
"They will all be one team," said Ostrander. "If one of them fails, they all fail together. "
Though Ostrander pushed the students in his class hard, Dean said the Marine leader also cared for them.
"When most of us failed our first written test, I could see that it upset him and that he was disappointed," said Dean. "I could tell that he really cared. He wanted us to succeed."
The first day of classes took place in Bagram's, Camp McCool, where the students received their in-brief from Marine Sgt. Maj. Bernard Coleman, a senior enlisted mentor, as to what to look forward to during the course and what they could achieve.
The second day of class introduced the students to the Marine's drill and sword ceremony and the Marine's physical fitness test.
The Soldiers were especially motivated during the run portion of the physical fitness test, as they lead the pack.
"We drove along [the group] as they ran, yelling out the window 'HOOAH! Rangers lead the way,'" said Ostrander in praise of the Soldiers.
However, the Soldiers were in for a surprise during the combat conditioning portion of the class, nicknamed 'Hell on Earth.'
During 'Hell on Earth,' the students ran through a gauntlet of mud, sweat and big tires, as they suffered a haze of circuit drills, Marine Corps style.
A field divided by orange cones, featured various exercise stations that ranged from tire flips, to 'buddy lunges,' to sand bag pressing, all networked together by shuttle sprints from one end to the other.
"The combat conditioning was by far the hardest part of the course," said Lopez. "It was 'boots and uts' [short for utilities, or Army Combat Uniforms] every other day. We'd run a mile out the field, perform extensive physical exercises for one and a half to two hours and just when you thought we were done- we'd go again. Then have to run a mile back."
"Combat conditioning is meant to simulate battlefield situations," said Dean. "You don't have time to worry about [being hurt] or being tired. You have to be able to look out for your guys. It was tough and I was mad, but you've got to push through it because when you let the instructors get in your head, they've got you."
Marine Sgt. Bobby Malicoat, an instructor of the Marine Corps Corporal's Course, ran the circuit side-by-side with his Marines and Soldiers.
"I was excited when I found out we had Soldiers coming through," said Mailcoat. "They didn't quit — and the Marines were trying harder because they didn't want to look bad."
But amidst the taunts of "you ain't gonna get faster by runnin' slower" and "don't you break my sand bags!" the class of three Soldiers and 13 Marines literally carried each other through two hours of pain and exhaustion.
When the 'Hell on Earth' ended, the students showed their pride and motivation by rocking the north end of Bagram with their thundering cadence.
After passing the Marine Corps' physical fitness test on Feb. 10, the class undertook the Army's physical fitness test, which was similar. This was also an opportunity for both services to share the differences.
Whereas the Marines physical fitness test consisted of a timed pull-up event, abdominal crunches and a three-mile run, the Army's test included timed push-ups, sit ups and a two-mile run.
As the students participated in the Army's physical fitness test, a dozen NCO's and senior enlisted members from both branches came out to support and even participate alongside the students.
"This one [Marine Corps Corporal's Course] pushed you to the limits."
Both Lopez and Johnson agreed that the most valuable lesson learned from this experience was to lead by example.
"I've gained a lot of tools and a new way of thinking," said Dean. "It made me realize it's time to step up because now I have a foundation to build my own leadership style."
Johnson said he intends to incorporate the lessons learned at the course at work and on the PT field."
"Sergeant Malicoat is the greatest NCO I've ever met," said Johnson. "He was with us every step of the way, sometimes doing what we did times four. I want to be seen as that type of leader."
Another take away from the course was the added camaraderie.
"You can see all the pictures and hear all the stories I have to tell, but until you go through all that we did with those Marines, you'll never know what it feels like," said Lopez.
"We were all proud of each other and all we accomplished together", said Johnson. "It humbled me a little bit. The course opened my eyes on how Marines interact."
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2010 01:31 |
| Story ID: | 46124 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 151 |
This work, Hard Corps Soldiers, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
