thedrifter
10-25-07, 05:39 AM
New Marines Get Schooled In Art Of War
POSTED: 7:57 pm EDT October 24, 2007
UPDATED: 10:48 pm EDT October 24, 2007
QUANTICO, Va. -- In the art of war training -- there is a musical consisting of the constant roar of machine gun fire, assault vehicles and grenade launchers.
To the sounds accompanying war, another class of young Marines has assembled in Quantico, Va.
Quantico is known as the crossroads of the Marine Corps -- where, each year, commanders train more than 1,500 newly commissioned officers.
Sixty percent of their education takes place in the classroom. The rest happens in the field.
The training at Quantico is critical for several reasons. For one, young Marines are learning to lead on the battlefield. Secondly, many of them could actually wind up on a battlefield in Iraq or Afghanistan in a matter of months.
One is 2nd Lt. Mike Golike -- a native of Stafford Virginia. He plans to fly helicopters in combat.
"Certainly it's something I joined knowing full well that was most likely part of my future. And yeah, I wouldn't surprised," Golike said.
As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the lessons of those conflicts are reflected in Quantico's training.
Marines who have recently returned from tours are able to share their firsthand experience.
"Having a person with an intellectual understanding of it is one thing. But having someone who's been there and been through a couple of IED attacks, they can really tell you what happens and what to look out for," Golike said.
"They're able to bring that to you before you get there and let you experience part of that through them, so you're not surprised when you get there. Or less surprised," said 2nd Lt. Ayleah Goodman.
Cpl. Nathan Wilson just returned from his second tour in Iraq. He has survived roadside bombs and other attacks.
While Wilson said that live-weapons training is key for the Corps, the most challenging aspects of combat have nothing to do with combat.
"There's times when you're going to have to hand out food, water,'" he said. "You have to go out and make sure the kids are okay, give them soccer balls if you can."
Cultural awareness is one of the new elements being taught at Quantico.
It will help in Iraq -- where the challenge is serving in a country where American forces are not wanted.
It is a new kind of fight these young officers plan to be prepared for.
Cultural education will play a major role in training as the Marine Corps increases its ranks from about 175,000 Marines to more than 200,000 over the next five years.
Ellie
POSTED: 7:57 pm EDT October 24, 2007
UPDATED: 10:48 pm EDT October 24, 2007
QUANTICO, Va. -- In the art of war training -- there is a musical consisting of the constant roar of machine gun fire, assault vehicles and grenade launchers.
To the sounds accompanying war, another class of young Marines has assembled in Quantico, Va.
Quantico is known as the crossroads of the Marine Corps -- where, each year, commanders train more than 1,500 newly commissioned officers.
Sixty percent of their education takes place in the classroom. The rest happens in the field.
The training at Quantico is critical for several reasons. For one, young Marines are learning to lead on the battlefield. Secondly, many of them could actually wind up on a battlefield in Iraq or Afghanistan in a matter of months.
One is 2nd Lt. Mike Golike -- a native of Stafford Virginia. He plans to fly helicopters in combat.
"Certainly it's something I joined knowing full well that was most likely part of my future. And yeah, I wouldn't surprised," Golike said.
As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the lessons of those conflicts are reflected in Quantico's training.
Marines who have recently returned from tours are able to share their firsthand experience.
"Having a person with an intellectual understanding of it is one thing. But having someone who's been there and been through a couple of IED attacks, they can really tell you what happens and what to look out for," Golike said.
"They're able to bring that to you before you get there and let you experience part of that through them, so you're not surprised when you get there. Or less surprised," said 2nd Lt. Ayleah Goodman.
Cpl. Nathan Wilson just returned from his second tour in Iraq. He has survived roadside bombs and other attacks.
While Wilson said that live-weapons training is key for the Corps, the most challenging aspects of combat have nothing to do with combat.
"There's times when you're going to have to hand out food, water,'" he said. "You have to go out and make sure the kids are okay, give them soccer balls if you can."
Cultural awareness is one of the new elements being taught at Quantico.
It will help in Iraq -- where the challenge is serving in a country where American forces are not wanted.
It is a new kind of fight these young officers plan to be prepared for.
Cultural education will play a major role in training as the Marine Corps increases its ranks from about 175,000 Marines to more than 200,000 over the next five years.
Ellie