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thedrifter
07-14-07, 07:51 AM
What can a group of Center for Naval Aviation and Technical Training Marines teach the Marine Special Operations Advisor Group Course students about dealing with foreign nationals? More than you might think.

Awaiting training in their own school-house, the CNATT Marines have found a way to contribute to the Global War on Terrorism, even before they enter the fleet.

When needed, the Marines head over to Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bouge, N.C. and become role players for an all-encompassing MARSOAG, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operation Command exercise.

"They are not allowed to speak English," explained Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Castillo, CNATT operations chief. "The whole objective is to teach Marines to interact with nationals inside of their home country."

Along with out the use of language, the actors are forced to repress their military bearing and knowledge for the sake of the training, pretending as if they had no military knowledge. For the duration of the exercise they are "Onslovian" nationals, not United States Marines.

"The Marines came in to help us fight insurgents and to make us more battle ready," said Pfc. Donavan Day, "Onslovian" fighter and CNATT student. "But, we are supposed to give them a hard time. They are trying to train the local force and we are speaking gibberish."

During the week-long endeavor the actors stay in the field, as the recently trained Marines do their best to turn a disheveled and unmotivated group of militants into a respectable fighting force, said Gunnery Sgt. David Ferguson, exercise chief.

"We at MARSOAG created a simulated training exercise with all the training they need to go down range," Ferguson said. "It gives the teams a chance to test their skills, and it gives us a chance to show us what they have learned."

The special operations Marines must use virtually every aspect of their previous 6-month course instruction to complete their task at hand, from fighting tactics to simple first aid.

"Many of these guys have never been in a situation where they have to train someone who doesn't speak their language," he said.

In a demonstration of the possible situations the foreign military training unit might have to deal with, an "Onslovian" shot another militant. While the Marines rushed to the victim to provide first aid and assess the situation, the confused and angered locals crowded over their hurt comrade.

"We created the negligent shoot, because we want to see how they deal with it," he remarked. "We want to see how they conduct classes, how they teach humanitarian and culture classes."

As part of the training CNATT Marines were taught how to patrol, squad rush and operate automatic weapons. Dealing with live ammunition and a group of people who don't speak their language, the firing line provided yet another hurdle for the Marines to navigate.

"They must have a good relationship with the interpreter to make sure the message gets across," explained Sgt. Paul Knight, MARSOAG standards and training instructor. "They have to go over stoppages and malfunctions procedures (through a translator)."

While, daunting, the culminating event infused with CNATT students seems to be paying dividends for Marines when they have to apply their skills in a real-world environment.

"It is my personal belief that it's a success," said Knight. "These units have completed the curriculum, gone down range, and conducted successful mission."