thedrifter
02-25-03, 10:55 PM
IOC students get taste of desert combat training
Submitted by: MCAGCC
Story Identification Number: 200322518333
Story by Sgt. Kristen A. Bennett
MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, Calif.-(Feb. 21, 2003) -- The second group of new lieutenants training with the Infantry Officers' Course aboard the Combat Center wrapped up its live-fire, combined-arms training evolution and departed for Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. Saturday, Feb.15.
The first evolution, called the PALMFEX, in June was a trial run to determine the efficiency of replacing the typical 10-day final exercise in Quantico with a twelve-day, live-fire exercise here.
"The training here has allowed us to expose the lieutenants to fire and maneuver aspects that we're not able to conduct at Quantico due to the live-fire restrictions and limited training space," said Maj. Francis Grzymkowski, IOC instructor and officer-in-charge of the PALMFEX. "Our goal is to eventually have every class out here for two weeks of live-fire training."
Before deploying to the Combat Center, the new Marine officers are given classes on basic weapon employment, calls for fire, patrols and more. The instructors conduct tactical-decision exercises and limited squad attacks and live fire. These six weeks of instruction are designed to prepare them for 12 days of practical application aboard the Combat Center.
"This is the only place we can do this type of training with such degree," said Gryzmkowski. "They wouldn't receive this level of training and experience until six to twelve months after joining the fleet. We want to get them to that level earlier in their careers so they're more experienced and can train their platoons to those standards."
Like the combined-arms exercises held routinely here, the PALMFEX uses a building-block approach to training. During the first modular training block, the lieutenants train at the squad level, performing six squad attacks and three live-fire ambushes in five days, culminating with a platoon defensive live fire. By the second training block, the lieutenants have practiced enough to move on to the next level, integrating more weapons systems into a more complex combat situation.
"The second block is a step up from module one. We now give them more assets at the platoon-reinforced level," said Grzymkowski. "It's basically a scaled-down mobile-assault course."
The last module is block three; the lieutenants conduct platoon-reinforced attacks on a fortified position and trench-clearing operations on range 410a, followed by a company-minus-reinforced attack on range 400.
"This training has been excellent," said 2nd Lt. James Ferguson, IOC student. "We've really pushed the limits with the live-fire capabilities that weren't available to us in Quantico. It's helped us to see what lies ahead."
During the PALMFEX, the lieutenants were rotated into a variety of billets to expose them to the many aspects of leadership and support.
"It really helped to be put in every pair of boots," said 2nd Lt. Thomas Waller, IOC student. "It gives you a different perspective on how to coordinate supporting fire."
The Installations and Logistics Directorate, Operations and Training Directorate, (TTECG) and (EAP) here joined forces to ensure the 44 new lieutenants received the best training the Combat Center has to offer, said Grzymkowski.
"We received tremendous support from all agencies aboard Twentynine Palms," said Grzymkowski. "We couldn't pull this exercise off without them."
The new Marine officers returned to Quantico to complete the Infantry Officers Course and will graduate March 7. All will be assigned to infantry battalions and many will meet their new commands overseas, beginning their Marine Corps careers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Drifter
Submitted by: MCAGCC
Story Identification Number: 200322518333
Story by Sgt. Kristen A. Bennett
MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, Calif.-(Feb. 21, 2003) -- The second group of new lieutenants training with the Infantry Officers' Course aboard the Combat Center wrapped up its live-fire, combined-arms training evolution and departed for Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. Saturday, Feb.15.
The first evolution, called the PALMFEX, in June was a trial run to determine the efficiency of replacing the typical 10-day final exercise in Quantico with a twelve-day, live-fire exercise here.
"The training here has allowed us to expose the lieutenants to fire and maneuver aspects that we're not able to conduct at Quantico due to the live-fire restrictions and limited training space," said Maj. Francis Grzymkowski, IOC instructor and officer-in-charge of the PALMFEX. "Our goal is to eventually have every class out here for two weeks of live-fire training."
Before deploying to the Combat Center, the new Marine officers are given classes on basic weapon employment, calls for fire, patrols and more. The instructors conduct tactical-decision exercises and limited squad attacks and live fire. These six weeks of instruction are designed to prepare them for 12 days of practical application aboard the Combat Center.
"This is the only place we can do this type of training with such degree," said Gryzmkowski. "They wouldn't receive this level of training and experience until six to twelve months after joining the fleet. We want to get them to that level earlier in their careers so they're more experienced and can train their platoons to those standards."
Like the combined-arms exercises held routinely here, the PALMFEX uses a building-block approach to training. During the first modular training block, the lieutenants train at the squad level, performing six squad attacks and three live-fire ambushes in five days, culminating with a platoon defensive live fire. By the second training block, the lieutenants have practiced enough to move on to the next level, integrating more weapons systems into a more complex combat situation.
"The second block is a step up from module one. We now give them more assets at the platoon-reinforced level," said Grzymkowski. "It's basically a scaled-down mobile-assault course."
The last module is block three; the lieutenants conduct platoon-reinforced attacks on a fortified position and trench-clearing operations on range 410a, followed by a company-minus-reinforced attack on range 400.
"This training has been excellent," said 2nd Lt. James Ferguson, IOC student. "We've really pushed the limits with the live-fire capabilities that weren't available to us in Quantico. It's helped us to see what lies ahead."
During the PALMFEX, the lieutenants were rotated into a variety of billets to expose them to the many aspects of leadership and support.
"It really helped to be put in every pair of boots," said 2nd Lt. Thomas Waller, IOC student. "It gives you a different perspective on how to coordinate supporting fire."
The Installations and Logistics Directorate, Operations and Training Directorate, (TTECG) and (EAP) here joined forces to ensure the 44 new lieutenants received the best training the Combat Center has to offer, said Grzymkowski.
"We received tremendous support from all agencies aboard Twentynine Palms," said Grzymkowski. "We couldn't pull this exercise off without them."
The new Marine officers returned to Quantico to complete the Infantry Officers Course and will graduate March 7. All will be assigned to infantry battalions and many will meet their new commands overseas, beginning their Marine Corps careers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Drifter