NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN – On October 20, 2024, four Sailors assigned to Task Force 51/5 Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) completed their qualification to earn their Fleet Marine Force (FMF) pin.
Within two weeks of checking into TF 51/5, the Sailors had study material in hand, eager to start the three-stage process. The FMF pin takes a year to earn but for the Sailors at Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System (ERSS) 32, they only had 180 days due to their operation tempo.
“The FMF pin is more than just an accessory on our uniforms. It’s like a rite of passage, as a Sailor working with Marines it means being accepted as one with the unit,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Amber-Lynn Twig, one of the enlisted Sailors who earned her FMF pin.
The course included Marine Corps knowledge, practical application, physical fitness, and evaluations. For the two officers, their course material required a broader scope of the three components of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, while the two enlisted focused solely on the ground element.
Along with written tests, the Sailors had to demonstrate their fortitude during the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test and a seven-mile hike in full-gear. The course concluded with an oral board, consisting of seasoned Sailors and Marines evaluating the progress the four Sailors made, and ultimately deeming them successful in completing the FMF qualification.
“Enduring the course and completing the FMF qualification was a unique experience compared to other qualifications I’ve done, but definitely one of my favorites as it wasn’t all about studying, it was hands-on and physically challenging,” said Lt. Cmdr. Hannah Ceen, a physician with ERSS-32.
The Fleet Marine Force pin designates a Sailor as a member of the Navy/Marine Corps team and can only be earned by Sailors with a U.S. Marine Corps operational command.
Task Force 51/5 responds to crises and contingencies; coordinates, plans, and executes operations; conducts theater security cooperation; and advances emerging Naval concepts at sea, from the sea, and ashore in order to support U.S. Central Command, 5th Fleet, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command theater objectives.
Date Taken: | 10.20.2024 |
Date Posted: | 11.06.2024 08:28 |
Story ID: | 484642 |
Location: | NSA BAHRAIN, BH |
Web Views: | 62 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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