Photo By Pfc. Franklin Mercado | Gunnery Sgt. Douglas Norman, an instructor with the Special Operations Training Group,...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marine Corps offers a countless number of courses and training that service members can attend in order to advance in their military occupational specialty or learn a new trade.
Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group began the Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft Coxswain Course at Onslow Beach here, July 9.
The purpose of the training was to give the designated personnel the certifications needed to properly operate a combat rubber reconnaissance craft.
The 20-day entry level course, which ends Aug. 3, is designed to train a maximum of 25 Marines and is taught by qualified coxswains.
During the training Marines will learn various skills such as safety procedures, small boat handling, proper knot techniques, engine operations and small boat formations.
The curriculum is large and Marines are expected to learn everything before being put to the test during practical application.
“If you aren’t paying attention you can get lost in the sauce fast, and you don’t want to be the one singled out,” said Pfc. Brett D. Lowery, a combat engineer with 8th ESB.
Marines who fail to meet requirements during the course are given individual counseling in order to overcome what the student may be having a hard time understanding.
Not only has it been a challenge mentally, but physically as well, Lowery continued.
“With this heat, even when we’re out in the water I sweat,” he said. “We do an exercise called engine appreciation. It’s when you simulate an engine outage and have to paddle back to shore, and there’s nothing easy about it.”
The engine outage routine is a necessity, explained Sgt. Frankie Hines, an instructor with the Special Operations Training Group.
“Marines have to know what to do in any situation,” Hines said. “Whether it’s hot or cold outside, the boat doesn’t know, it’ll stop running in any weather.
“They’re getting tired now, but the knowledge they gain from this will help them in the future,” he said.
Completion of the long course will not be an easy task under the heat conditions of the July sun, and though the training isn’t required for any of the Marines, they’ve tackled the challenge head on.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2012 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 91372 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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