Photo By Lance Cpl. Jacob Barber | U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Sergio Hernandez, platoon sergeant, 2nd platoon, Fox...... read more read more
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HUTAN RIZAB BERUAS PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN FOREST RESERVE, Malaysia — Marines with the Landing Force of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2012, took part in a week of jungle warfare training with their Malaysian Army counterparts, June 17.
Malaysian soldiers demonstrated to Marines, of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment who make-up the landing force, the fundamentals of patrolling, tracking and surviving in a jungle environment. In return, the Marines taught classes on military operations in urban terrain.
“We really went back to our roots while training in Malaysia,” said Lance Cpl. Mitchell Arrezola, a team leader with 2nd platoon, Fox Company. “While training here I thought about Vietnam and World War II and the way the Marine Corps adapted to the jungles back then. Our counterparts [Malaysian recon soldiers] really helped us get back to that and taught us as much as they could in this week.”
The Malaysian soldiers provided instruction about tracking foot steps and troop movements in the thickest parts of a jungle and how to make rope, medicine and insect repellent from local plants.
“The Marines are very eager to learn what we want to teach them,” said Malaysian Army Cpl. Muhammid Adir Handur Yuing, Malaysian Airborne Company. “They work very hard and don’t like taking breaks, so we have been able to teach them a lot and have also learned a lot from them.”
Upon completion of jungle warfare training, the exercise transitioned from a green environment to a gray environment where Marines taught Malaysian Army soldiers urban warfare techniques.
“We had to start off at the very beginning for some of them, by teaching them how to reload quickly and pivot when turning corners or alleyways,” Arrezola said. “They asked a lot of questions and our young guys were able to get out there, teach and get hands-on with them.”
The opportunity to be a teacher and a student during the exercise made for a personal atmosphere.
“They are just like us, and by working with them we are able to see that,” said Yuing. “I made friends and I hope they will always remember what they learned here about surviving and fighting in the jungle. My friends and I have learned a lot from them as well. We now understand why they are called ‘Devil Dogs.’”
The training cycle ended with a barbecue where laughs, conversations and experiences were shared while eating some good local food.
“CARAT, as a whole, was a new experience for me,” said Lance Cpl. Louis H. Villalpando II. “I have been able to meet so many different people from other countries and have learned more than I ever could have imagined. We’re getting back to our old roots and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2012 22:53 |
| Story ID: | 90574 |
| Location: | HUTAN RIZAB BERUAS PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN FOREST RESERVE, MY |
| Web Views: | 1,633 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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