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Preacher
11-20-02, 11:23 AM
Rugged Raiders persevere through infantry skills test
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2002111175714
Story by Sgt. Robert Piper



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2002) -- After four seemingly endless days of up-tempo field operations, only one task remained between the Marines of A Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and weekend liberty - the comprehensive infantry skills test.

Spread out over nine grueling miles, mostly covering Pendleton's infamously mountainous terrain between Las Pulgas and Horno, this timed event was no walk in a park.

Marines were split into two six-member squads, with the second squad starting 30 minutes after the first.

Before beginning, each squad received a brief from the company commander, who explained the course, required tasks and how to levy timing bonuses and penalties.

"Each team will encounter four stations, the first will require each squad member to correctly assemble a radio, load a frequency and time and establish radio contact with the station's instructor," said Capt. Christeon C. Griffin, A Company's commander.

The remaining stations - call for fire, obstacle course with water jugs, casualty transportation and a live-fire course with balloon targets - tested Marines both physically and mentally.

Each station also contained hidden pitfalls, with Marines costing their teams additional time for each mistake at a station.

"The Marines will each get five minutes added to the team's total time for incorrectly assembling or loading the radio, two minutes for incorrectly completing a call for fire, two minutes for each obstacle not completed on the obstacle course and one minute per balloon not popped after firing 30 rounds each," Griffin said.

As a reprieve, for each enemy vehicle correctly identified during call for fire, a squad received a 30-second deduction from its finish time.

After a coin toss determined which squad went first, followed by a 30-minute wait after Squad B's departure, Squad A galloped toward the first station.
Squad B cruised into the first station in high-spirits, but technical difficulties with the radios delayed their advance, and Squad A caught them there.

With determination painted on every member of Squad B, they finally completed the first station and began the ascent up "Recon Ridge."

Sometimes trotting, sometimes walking with powerful strides, the team reached the summit and quickly completed the call for fire station.

"I just hope I didn't mess that up too bad," said Lance Cpl. John Randall, a machine-gunner with Weapons Platoon, A company.

A winding, downhill path led the Marines to the obstacle course that they expertly negotiated Ð until the ropes. None could quite reach the top, despite several efforts and much determination.

"I've never not reached the top in my career," resounded through nearby canyons after each member failed the task.

After a moment's rest, the race continued. One member was pronounced "injured" and the rest of the team had to carry him to the final station.

Shortly after beginning the trek to the live-fire stations, Squad A was spotted on "Recon Ridge," not nearly as far behind as Squad B had hoped.

Squad B - some members nursing minor injuries, all tired - pushed forward and made good time to the range.

They quickly assaulted the targets, eliminating 11 of 30 balloons, and headed toward the bleachers for some well-deserved rest.

"This was one of the hardest weeks I've ever had," said Lance Cpl. Cole Uecker, infantryman, A Company.

After 20 minutes, they began walking home to clean weapons and ponder race results. They passed Squad A as it pushed forward to the range.

But rather than wonder who won, they joked with one another, teasing each member about points in the course where they had stumbled.

For these Marines already knew they were winners.

SF, Jay Trina (aka Preacher)
President, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Association

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