thedrifter
04-28-06, 08:43 AM
JUNGLE WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, Okinawa (Apr 28, 2006) -- 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment must be prepared to operate in any environment as the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team.
Members of the BLT traversed the Jungle Warfare Training Center's three and a half mile endurance course April 23-24 as the final aspect of their weeklong training at Okinawa's most northern camp.
During the week, they learned jungle survival skills like finding food and evading capture before facing one of the Marine Corps' most demanding endurance courses, explained Staff Sgt. Jason Drobish, the JWTC's operations officer.
The endurance course is designed to test and build teamwork in a harsh jungle terrain, according to Drobish. By the end of the course the Marines are tired, frustrated and struggling to keep their teamwork from breaking down as high tensions lead to arguments.
Throughout the course the Marines tackled obstacles like rappelling and navigating harsh jungle while carrying a casualty through the Peanut Butter Alley, a 200-meter trench full of mud resembling peanut butter.
"We learned a lot of teamwork and esprit de corps," said Cpl. Paul Weibert, a rifleman with E Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines. "We definitely improved our ability to support each other and work together."
After a week in the jungle, the Marines had a newfound appreciation for the harsh environment.
"This training has given me a lot more respect for the jungle," said Lance Cpl. Louis Flores, an infantry assaultman with E Co., 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. "I've never been in the jungle before and it's amazing how long it can take to cover a very small distance."
The course is time consuming and takes several hours. Four hours and 22 minutes was the best time clocked.
Tired and beaten, but feeling proud of their accomplishment, the BLT Marines cleaned off the mud and prepared to make their way back to Camp Hansen for some hard earned rest.
Ellie
Members of the BLT traversed the Jungle Warfare Training Center's three and a half mile endurance course April 23-24 as the final aspect of their weeklong training at Okinawa's most northern camp.
During the week, they learned jungle survival skills like finding food and evading capture before facing one of the Marine Corps' most demanding endurance courses, explained Staff Sgt. Jason Drobish, the JWTC's operations officer.
The endurance course is designed to test and build teamwork in a harsh jungle terrain, according to Drobish. By the end of the course the Marines are tired, frustrated and struggling to keep their teamwork from breaking down as high tensions lead to arguments.
Throughout the course the Marines tackled obstacles like rappelling and navigating harsh jungle while carrying a casualty through the Peanut Butter Alley, a 200-meter trench full of mud resembling peanut butter.
"We learned a lot of teamwork and esprit de corps," said Cpl. Paul Weibert, a rifleman with E Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines. "We definitely improved our ability to support each other and work together."
After a week in the jungle, the Marines had a newfound appreciation for the harsh environment.
"This training has given me a lot more respect for the jungle," said Lance Cpl. Louis Flores, an infantry assaultman with E Co., 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. "I've never been in the jungle before and it's amazing how long it can take to cover a very small distance."
The course is time consuming and takes several hours. Four hours and 22 minutes was the best time clocked.
Tired and beaten, but feeling proud of their accomplishment, the BLT Marines cleaned off the mud and prepared to make their way back to Camp Hansen for some hard earned rest.
Ellie