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thedrifter
11-16-03, 11:01 AM
Devildocs compete for III MEF honors
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003111641024
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert



CAMP GONSALVES, Okinawa, Japan(Oct. 30, 2003) -- More than 60 Navy corpsmen from around Okinawa participated in the III Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General's Navy Battle Skills Training Competition Oct. 26-31.

The competition is designed to test the knowledge, medical and general military field skills, physical fitness, teamwork, and decision-making abilities of corpsmen stationed on Okinawa.

The competition is important because it gives the Sailors participating a chance to hone their battlefield skills which are highly desired in combat situations explained Master Chief Petty Officer Julian S. Talosig, command master chief for III MEF.

"The Marine Corps relies a great deal on these Sailors for medical needs," Talosig said. "This competition is a way of getting back to our roots as 'devildocs.' This is excellent training for them with some added competitive spirit."

Each of the five major subordinate commands were allotted three teams each.

Only eight teams competed, each consisting of six corpsmen per team. Two teams came from Marine Corps Base Butler, two from 3rd Marine Division, two from III MEF Headquarters Group, one from 1st Marine Air Wing, and one from 3rd Force Service Support Group.

The competition consisted of seven events taking place over a five-day period on Camps Courtney, Hansen, Schwab, and Gonsalves (Jungle Warfare Training Center). The corpsmen competed in a written examination, land navigation course, JWTC's 3.4-mile endurance course, an obstacle course, pistol qualification, a boat race, and a 10-mile conditioning march.

First through eighth place finishers were rated at 10-point intervals from 100 through 30 points respectively.

Each member of the winning team received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as the opportunity to compete against the winners from I MEF and II MEF in the Navy-wide competition at Camp Lejeune early next year.

Each member of the eight teams volunteered to compete in the competition.

"It's a very noble thing to see these young sailors volunteer for this," Talosig said. "This is the first time a lot of these corpsmen have received training like this. Some of them haven't received their Fleet Marine Force warfare badge yet. Just seeing them work together as a team is motivating because that's what this competition is all about."

The competition is very strenuous, according to Seaman Orlando A. Soriano, corpsman from U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa.

"The competition was really challenging," the Martinez, Calif., native, said. "It took a lot of heart and determination to push through the E-course alone. Knowing that there were seven other teams vying for the same glory gave us the will to put more than our best effort into it."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003111645210/$file/BattleSkills-01low.jpg

A Navy corpsman maneuvers under concertina wire while moving through the endurance course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center during the 11th Annual Navy Battle Skills Training Competition. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9D35E3AC6D5BB4DD85256DE000326419?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger
:marine: