Photo By Capt. Owen Dietrich | Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines took part in the Joint Light Leaders Course,...... read more read more
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The morning sun was high in the African sky, baking the beaches of the French training area known as Arta Range. Temperatures already surpassing 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as four patrol boats from the United States Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10, raced towards the shore. Sirens blared and engines roared as the boats closed in, each carrying a squad from a 32 person platoon made up of Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines. May 5, 2024, Djibouti, Africa.
The squad members plunged into the 20 foot deep water and swam 50 meters to the beachhead where they were met by 11 U.S. Army Soldiers donning black t-shirts with the word “instructor” across the back awaiting their arrival. The culminating event of the Joint Light Leaders Course was about to begin.
The five day course, conducted by Task Force Paxton, of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania Nation Guard is designed to bring service members from all branches of service together to learn basic infantry tactics.
“Different branches have different ways of thinking, different leadership styles, and different skill sets,” said Capt. Stairicker the Officer In Charge of the course.
To teach basic leadership skills the course exposes students to various army related tasks including; writing an operation order, establishing a mortar firing pit, knot tying, weapons training, small unit tactics, tactical casualty care, and land navigation. Common skills in the army but foreign territory to other branches.
“I’m really good at waterborne navigation so everything land based is sort of out of my element” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Stafford a Sailor from MSRON 10.
The Joint Light Leaders Course develops a shared understanding and helps students improve as leaders.
“The Department of Defense is moving more into joint operations, instilling capabilities and how to work together in our younger leaders, better prepares them for the future” said Sgt. Maj. Macgregor Noncommissioned Officer In Charge of the course.
A potential disaster looms: a patrol boat might deploy a squad of Soldiers into enemy territory, risking gunfire. In such a scenario, Sailors may need to abandon ship, or a pilot could be shot down, leading to their integration with Soldiers. MacGregor emphasized that these students have gained firsthand experience collaborating with the army.
As temperatures soared to nearly 115 degrees the class established a patrol base atop a hill and conducted troop leading procedures. The selection of team and squad leaders was based on merit and chosen by their peers. The leadership composition varied widely. Reflecting the diversity of branches represented. Army Specialist Miranda Sosa, 21, serving as a team leader for 3rd squad, was joined by Navy Commander William Cannon, 37, Deputy Mission Commander of MSRON 10, who served as squad leader.
“The course was a unique opportunity to see how my desk job relates to the field” and used the course to “push myself physically, and to gain leadership experience,” said Sosa an honor graduate of the course.
As heat waves ripple through the desert air, two soldiers, simulating casualties lay near a white Toyota Land Cruiser. Bravo team, 2nd squad, having completed a successful ambush, pulled security around the disabled vehicle. Alpha team joined the rest of their squad and an instructor called “ENDEX” bringing the Joint Light Leaders Course to a close.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Abbey Sciarratta an Information Technician. “My favorite part was getting an understanding of what it’s like to be on the ground. I enjoyed the course and wish it could have been longer, I would do it again.”
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2024 07:41 |
| Story ID: | 472317 |
| Location: | DJ |
| Web Views: | 407 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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