Photo By Cpl. Joshua Hines | Sgt. Jeremy Toteno with rifle platoon, ground combat element, Security Cooperation...... read more read more
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BRITTANY, FRANCE – U.S. Marines and sailors from Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 12 train with Marines from France's 3rd Marine Regiment, Brittany, France, July 21-26.
The stone walled fortress, Fort de Penthievre, looms high above, taunting those below, saying, "Scale these walls which have stood the test of time, conquer these heights and feel the pride of knowing victory over fear!"
At the corner of this stone colossus stands a man donned in the digital camouflage of a warrior, readying himself for the climb before him, he places a hand on the stone, tilts his head to the sky and accepts the colossus's challenge.
He finds his holds; he finds his footing - stone after stone, the warrior, a U.S. Marine from Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012, finds himself nearing the man-made peak above. Abruptly, a handhold fails, his footing slips, and suddenly the ground below has never been so far away.
The Marine falls backward - reaching, struggling - he grasps only air. He is falling.
The Rope catches, halting his fall before it even began, the Marine looks toward the ground to see a French Marine slowly guiding him on a safe decent to the earth below.
One after another, side by side with their foreign brothers in arms, the U.S. Marines, partnered with the French Marines of the 3rd Marine Regiment, take on the many challenges held within the great stone walls of the castle, Fort de Penthievre, Brittany, France, July 22.
"The climbing wall was probably my favorite," said Cpl. Jose Sanchez, rifle platoon, ground combat element, SCTF APS-12. "There were no gaps or hand holds to make it easy, you had to find your own holds and try to climb to the top of the castle, it was tough, but really fun."
Throughout the day, the Marines took part in a series of events at the castle including wall climbing, rappelling, martial arts and kayaking as well as a team building confidence course. Many of the events such as the confidence course were actually built into the castle itself and were designed to help both the U.S. and French Marines build trust in one another.
Following the events, the Marines were split into four groups and embarked on a 12 mile hike through the Brittany area, which ended at Camp de Meucon. The Hike took the groups through towns and forests, lasting well into the early morning hours, allowing the Marines plenty of time to converse with one another.
"The hike was a long one, mostly up hill, but it was worth it and I'm glad I went," said Lance Cpl. Morgan Rickey, GCE, SCTF APS-12.
For two days after the hike, the groups were set into a rotation between several events meant to help the U.S. and French Marines learn about each other. The groups rotated between live fire weapons demonstrations, equipment presentations and a chance to run the French Marines' obstacle course.
"Shooting in the morning was my favorite," said Cpl. Duval Renaud, a French Marine with 3rd Marine Regiment. "It is good to share our shooting experience with each other and we are glad to share our knowledge about our weapons."
Each of the groups also took part in several games of soccer and football which allowed the U.S. and French Marines another opportunity to work as a team.
"All of these sports and the training events; they're a good eye-opener," said Sanchez. "They let us see who these guys really are."
The day after completing the last rotation of events, the U.S. and French Marines spent some time getting to know one another as well as the military history of the French during a visit to a French military museum.
"It was really fun getting to know the French Marines, they were really open and they loved to talk and spend time together," said Sanchez. "The biggest thing we found was that we're very similar, we're both fighting for our countries and that spoke in volumes."
"We really enjoyed having the U.S. Marines here," echoed Renaud. "We found very similar things between us, the same mentality, same ideas about military life and even about things in our civilian lives."
A ceremony was held on SCTF APS-12's last day with the French Marines, during which gifts were exchanged and speeches and farewells were expressed with hopes for the future.
"All Marines are brothers-in-arms. We are very happy to have met and spent time with all of you and we hope it will happen again soon," said Maj. L. Danigo, operations officer, France's 3rd Marine Regiment.
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2012 09:18 |
| Story ID: | 92301 |
| Location: | MORBIHAN, FR |
| Web Views: | 273 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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