thedrifter
07-03-08, 07:03 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. —Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, participated in a field training exercise June 27- July 2, here.
The Marines practiced convoy security techniques and several other important training exercises, including firing crew-served weapons from vehicles - all designed to prepare them for their main responsibility while deployed - guarding important locations as well as convoys.
Capt. George Mordica, the company commander of MP Company, explained that firing the crew-served weapons from vehicles is “the bread and butter of field ops for MPs,” and that the company’s veteran Marines were doing a great job helping the newer ones with the weapons.
“We have a good blend of noncommissioned officers that just got back from deployment teaching the junior Marines straight from the schoolhouse,” Mordica said. “They’re looking at each burst the Marine fires…and grading on general knowledge of the weapon system and whether or not they’re hitting the target.”
Mordica said that due to the operational tempo of the 2nd MLG, it is very important for the company to train when ever they get a chance. The company is almost always sending personnel to the 2nd MLG’s combat logistics battalions, which combine all the capabilities of a logistics group in a smaller-sized unit.
“In the MLG we have so many deployments,” explained Mordica. “There is very limited time to train; if they don’t do it now they will miss out on it.”
The company’s junior Marines stated that the field exercise was an essential step in their training as field MPs.
“Its top notch,” said Pfc. Jonathan V. Barks, an MP with the company’s first platoon. “It’s the first time anybody from the schoolhouse has got to shoot this big of a weapon.”
Barks, a Morgantown, Ky. native, explained that the NCO instructing him was able to coach him on the weapon really well, improving his marksmanship skills.
“The first time I shot at the target it was a little high,” said Barks. “They coached me and got me on target. They know what they’re doing.”
Sgt. Brenden Colley, the first platoon squad leader, explained that the NCOs instructing the Marines broke down the training so that anyone at any skill level could learn the weapon system.
“We started with the basics,” said Colley. “We walked through the process…remedial actions, where we want them positioned, loading, clearing and getting on target.”
Later on in the training exercise, the Marines practiced other skills such as operating entry control points, traffic control points, and conducting foot and mounted patrols. These operations will also help prepare the MPs for future deployments.
"This training is a stepping stone," Barks concluded. "There is a lot more training ahead."
The Marines practiced convoy security techniques and several other important training exercises, including firing crew-served weapons from vehicles - all designed to prepare them for their main responsibility while deployed - guarding important locations as well as convoys.
Capt. George Mordica, the company commander of MP Company, explained that firing the crew-served weapons from vehicles is “the bread and butter of field ops for MPs,” and that the company’s veteran Marines were doing a great job helping the newer ones with the weapons.
“We have a good blend of noncommissioned officers that just got back from deployment teaching the junior Marines straight from the schoolhouse,” Mordica said. “They’re looking at each burst the Marine fires…and grading on general knowledge of the weapon system and whether or not they’re hitting the target.”
Mordica said that due to the operational tempo of the 2nd MLG, it is very important for the company to train when ever they get a chance. The company is almost always sending personnel to the 2nd MLG’s combat logistics battalions, which combine all the capabilities of a logistics group in a smaller-sized unit.
“In the MLG we have so many deployments,” explained Mordica. “There is very limited time to train; if they don’t do it now they will miss out on it.”
The company’s junior Marines stated that the field exercise was an essential step in their training as field MPs.
“Its top notch,” said Pfc. Jonathan V. Barks, an MP with the company’s first platoon. “It’s the first time anybody from the schoolhouse has got to shoot this big of a weapon.”
Barks, a Morgantown, Ky. native, explained that the NCO instructing him was able to coach him on the weapon really well, improving his marksmanship skills.
“The first time I shot at the target it was a little high,” said Barks. “They coached me and got me on target. They know what they’re doing.”
Sgt. Brenden Colley, the first platoon squad leader, explained that the NCOs instructing the Marines broke down the training so that anyone at any skill level could learn the weapon system.
“We started with the basics,” said Colley. “We walked through the process…remedial actions, where we want them positioned, loading, clearing and getting on target.”
Later on in the training exercise, the Marines practiced other skills such as operating entry control points, traffic control points, and conducting foot and mounted patrols. These operations will also help prepare the MPs for future deployments.
"This training is a stepping stone," Barks concluded. "There is a lot more training ahead."