thedrifter
08-07-08, 05:59 AM
Hard-core driver’s ed
Comments 0 | Recommend 0
Private firm teaches reservists how to handle an ambush
August 6, 2008 - 11:56PM
MOLLY DEWITT
DAILY NEWS STAFF
How many Marines can fit into a humvee headed away from a hostile situation?
The answer is always, "one more."
Twenty-four Marine reservists from across the country came together for three days this week to train in firearms deployment as well as driving and tactical training in high threat environments.
The training was provided by Poseidon Operations for the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group. Poseidon Operations, out of Texas, provides full-service training to military and intelligent communities for "hard skills" such as tactical driving, said Craig Miller, president of Poseidon Operations.
The focus of the training was to enable smaller units to operate effectively.
"The mission is down overseas and so is the footprint," Miller said. "Instead of operations in 20-vehicle convoys we're operating in four-vehicle convoys."
Marines have said that tactical driving skills is something they would find useful on a daily basis during deployment, Miller said.
"They don't get to pull the trigger every day or interrogate every day, but they do have to drive every day," he said.
The basis of this type of driving is being able to handle vehicles during worst-case scenarios, said Mick McMillan, an instructor with Poseidon Operations.
"We focus on low speed city-type emergency driving, driving from the passenger seat when a driver is down and driving backwards," he said.
But one of the key elements to the training was the downed vehicle drill, which allows Marines to run through combat scenarios where their vehicle may be disabled. They must exit their vehicle and get into another one nearby or find some other way to take cover, Miller said.
"This is just one more tool for their tool box they're given while in the Marine Corps," Miller said.
In learning the most safe and effective way to exit a downed vehicle, the Marines were also taught the various ways to provide cover while using their ammunition sparingly.
"When you're in the smaller units you have a huge force protection issue and you carry less ammo," said Cpl. Shawn Avery, a reservist with 2nd battalion, 4th Marines.
Sgt. Clifford Perry, a reservist out of Fort Story, Va., agreed that the training will prove helpful.
"These techniques we're learning will help us survive the ambushes," he said.
The general rule of thumb is that Marines have no more than 10 seconds to get out of a vehicle and move away from it before encountering serious trouble, all the while taking fire from nearby attackers and sometimes, carrying wounded, said McMillan.
Although exiting the vehicle quickly is important, so, too, is making sure it's done without sustaining injury. In the past, Marines jumping out of a vehicle while wearing all of their gear have sustained foot, ankle and leg injuries. Through practice, Marines may be able to lessen the likelihood of injury.
"We think the best way to avoid those kind of snafus is to have done them before," McMillan said.
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow government reporter Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8457 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment.
Ellie
Comments 0 | Recommend 0
Private firm teaches reservists how to handle an ambush
August 6, 2008 - 11:56PM
MOLLY DEWITT
DAILY NEWS STAFF
How many Marines can fit into a humvee headed away from a hostile situation?
The answer is always, "one more."
Twenty-four Marine reservists from across the country came together for three days this week to train in firearms deployment as well as driving and tactical training in high threat environments.
The training was provided by Poseidon Operations for the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group. Poseidon Operations, out of Texas, provides full-service training to military and intelligent communities for "hard skills" such as tactical driving, said Craig Miller, president of Poseidon Operations.
The focus of the training was to enable smaller units to operate effectively.
"The mission is down overseas and so is the footprint," Miller said. "Instead of operations in 20-vehicle convoys we're operating in four-vehicle convoys."
Marines have said that tactical driving skills is something they would find useful on a daily basis during deployment, Miller said.
"They don't get to pull the trigger every day or interrogate every day, but they do have to drive every day," he said.
The basis of this type of driving is being able to handle vehicles during worst-case scenarios, said Mick McMillan, an instructor with Poseidon Operations.
"We focus on low speed city-type emergency driving, driving from the passenger seat when a driver is down and driving backwards," he said.
But one of the key elements to the training was the downed vehicle drill, which allows Marines to run through combat scenarios where their vehicle may be disabled. They must exit their vehicle and get into another one nearby or find some other way to take cover, Miller said.
"This is just one more tool for their tool box they're given while in the Marine Corps," Miller said.
In learning the most safe and effective way to exit a downed vehicle, the Marines were also taught the various ways to provide cover while using their ammunition sparingly.
"When you're in the smaller units you have a huge force protection issue and you carry less ammo," said Cpl. Shawn Avery, a reservist with 2nd battalion, 4th Marines.
Sgt. Clifford Perry, a reservist out of Fort Story, Va., agreed that the training will prove helpful.
"These techniques we're learning will help us survive the ambushes," he said.
The general rule of thumb is that Marines have no more than 10 seconds to get out of a vehicle and move away from it before encountering serious trouble, all the while taking fire from nearby attackers and sometimes, carrying wounded, said McMillan.
Although exiting the vehicle quickly is important, so, too, is making sure it's done without sustaining injury. In the past, Marines jumping out of a vehicle while wearing all of their gear have sustained foot, ankle and leg injuries. Through practice, Marines may be able to lessen the likelihood of injury.
"We think the best way to avoid those kind of snafus is to have done them before," McMillan said.
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow government reporter Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8457 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment.
Ellie