thedrifter
03-06-09, 10:30 AM
Leading the way, Jungle Warfare Training
CAMP GONSALVES, Okinawa (March 6, 2009) -- Marines from Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, recently completed jungle warfare training at the Jungle Warfare Training Center at Camp Gonsalves. These Marines are not infantrymen by trade. They come from a variety of military job backgrounds and specialties. However, the jungle brought them together. It is an unforgiving, humid, muddy, tropical challenge filled with venomous snakes and rough terrain. Each Marine has a role to play, from the new guy to the veteran. The jungle called out a challenge to them ...and they answered.
Pfc. Christopher Gonzalez: The Boot
Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellner
The "boot" is a term used to describe the new guy or the one fresh from recruit training at their first duty station. Instant willingness and obedience to orders is fresh in his mind. His task is to do whatever his team leader tells him to do, no questions asked.
This was Pfc. Christopher Gonzalez's task as he patrolled the jungle with his squad.
"There's definitely no time to argue in jungle warfare," Gonzalez said. "You just have to listen and accomplish your mission as fast as possible."
A typical day would usually consist of dealing with issues in the office as the Financial Management Resource Analyst for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Today was different. There is a fight and Gonzalez is caught in the midst of it.
"It's not too hard for me because I just got out of boot camp and Marine Corps Combat Training, so all this knowledge is fresh," said the Grand Prairie, Texas, native. "It's very different from the office setting, but I did Auxiliary Security Forces training and MCT so it's not that hard for me to adapt."
The South Grand Prairie High School straight-A student joined the Marine Corps so he could finish his college degree in finance.
While his main motivation for joining the Corps is still getting money for education, Gonzalez said he also enjoys the adventure he's found in the Corps so far.
This is just the beginning of the adventures for the "boot" as he progresses in rank and experience. This is his chance to show off his leadership capabilities and help his fellow squad mates.
"Regardless of your rank you can be put in a leadership position based on your knowledge," Gonzalez said. "You have to decide to take the initiative though."
Being the boot could also mean getting the jobs nobody wants to do. This included being the point man on a patrol. This task was assigned to Gonzalez through his chain of command. Without hesitation he took point and was hit by two paint rounds in the face and became a casualty of the mock firefight.
"I may have taken two to the face, but I learned a lot from this training," the 19-year-old said. "We learned and worked as a team."
http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Public%20Affairs%20Info/Images%20Complete/IMAGES/090306-jwtc.jpg
Ellie
CAMP GONSALVES, Okinawa (March 6, 2009) -- Marines from Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, recently completed jungle warfare training at the Jungle Warfare Training Center at Camp Gonsalves. These Marines are not infantrymen by trade. They come from a variety of military job backgrounds and specialties. However, the jungle brought them together. It is an unforgiving, humid, muddy, tropical challenge filled with venomous snakes and rough terrain. Each Marine has a role to play, from the new guy to the veteran. The jungle called out a challenge to them ...and they answered.
Pfc. Christopher Gonzalez: The Boot
Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellner
The "boot" is a term used to describe the new guy or the one fresh from recruit training at their first duty station. Instant willingness and obedience to orders is fresh in his mind. His task is to do whatever his team leader tells him to do, no questions asked.
This was Pfc. Christopher Gonzalez's task as he patrolled the jungle with his squad.
"There's definitely no time to argue in jungle warfare," Gonzalez said. "You just have to listen and accomplish your mission as fast as possible."
A typical day would usually consist of dealing with issues in the office as the Financial Management Resource Analyst for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Today was different. There is a fight and Gonzalez is caught in the midst of it.
"It's not too hard for me because I just got out of boot camp and Marine Corps Combat Training, so all this knowledge is fresh," said the Grand Prairie, Texas, native. "It's very different from the office setting, but I did Auxiliary Security Forces training and MCT so it's not that hard for me to adapt."
The South Grand Prairie High School straight-A student joined the Marine Corps so he could finish his college degree in finance.
While his main motivation for joining the Corps is still getting money for education, Gonzalez said he also enjoys the adventure he's found in the Corps so far.
This is just the beginning of the adventures for the "boot" as he progresses in rank and experience. This is his chance to show off his leadership capabilities and help his fellow squad mates.
"Regardless of your rank you can be put in a leadership position based on your knowledge," Gonzalez said. "You have to decide to take the initiative though."
Being the boot could also mean getting the jobs nobody wants to do. This included being the point man on a patrol. This task was assigned to Gonzalez through his chain of command. Without hesitation he took point and was hit by two paint rounds in the face and became a casualty of the mock firefight.
"I may have taken two to the face, but I learned a lot from this training," the 19-year-old said. "We learned and worked as a team."
http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Public%20Affairs%20Info/Images%20Complete/IMAGES/090306-jwtc.jpg
Ellie