Photo By Sgt. Paul Peterson | Four Marines with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Rapid volleys of fire punched holes into the man-shaped targets and echoed over the otherwise empty ranges. The recoil of each shot road up their cheeks and shoulders as the shooters fought to maintain control of their weapons.
The Marines with Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group stood less than 50 yards from their targets as they repeatedly engaged simulated threats during their pre-deployment marksmanship training at Camp Devil Dog here, Oct. 11 and 12.
Approximately 50 troops tackled the training, which involved firing while moving, speed reloading, precision shooting, and assessing the area for threats during the day and night.
For the men and women on the line, the time until they had to put their training into action shrank every day.
“They are going to be in dangerous places where there will be fewer Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Alexander Abel, the Engineer Co. company gunnery sergeant. “It’s one of their rare opportunities to put on all the gear they use in a real combat situation and shoot at unknown distances.”
Abel, who shoots competitively, said he felt the training came at an important time for the Marines, many of whom will soon face their first deployment.
“The important piece for me is to be able to pass on some of my knowledge to the other Marines that don’t do it all the time on their own,” he said. “That way their proficiency level is increasing their chances of survival.”
Abel demonstrated different methods to reload during combat, and passed on some of his own techniques for maintaining situational awareness while engaging targets. He also encouraged the Marines to experiment with different shooting positions until they found their own comfort zone.
The unit recently returned from weeks of training at Enhanced Mojave Viper at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., where they honed their tactical and life-saving skills. They set up defensive perimeters, conducted simulated field exercises and trained to treat combat injuries.
Even after extensive time in the field, many of the Marines said they welcomed the prospect of getting behind their weapons again before they deploy.
“This is the first time I have received this training since Marine Combat Training,” said Lance Cpl. Wayne Dodson, a data network specialist for the company. “It gives us time to have [the training] and not forget. Plus, we just came together as a company, so we’ve been doing drills and training to build as a unit. It’s been going really well … but there is always room for improvement.”
The goal is to build a comfort zone when engaging targets, and give the Marines from Engineer Co. the ability to share their tactical skills with other troops in future field operations, said Abel. The true application will be their performance on patrols, convoys and other operations in Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 10.12.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.12.2012 15:00 |
| Story ID: | 96084 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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