Leading the way, Jungle Warfare Training

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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

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Cpl. Stephan J. Vongvilay: The Salt
Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt

It's quiet as Cpl. Stephan J. Vongvilay and his fire team move in formation through the dense jungle. With each step his team patrols closer to the unseen enemy waiting to release chaos on his squad.

Vongvilay has added responsibilities as a corporal. As a junior corporal, he is what is known as a "salt dog." This is a term used to describe a Marine who knows his responsibilities, but has not reached his full potential as a leader. A salt dog can lead a fire team and serves as a right-hand man to a squad leader.

Although an electric equipment specialist assigned to H&S Bn., 3rd Mar. Div., Vongvilay is a rifleman first. He is a Marine Corps noncommissioned officer, who's task today is leading his team.

His day job might keep him from the fight, but he's here to prove he is fully capable.

He stands ready to face the task.

Vongvilay has been a corporal for seven months. His newly appointed leadership role in his daily job has challenges and consequences.

However, the 21-year old is quickly learning that in combat the consequences tend to get a little more dangerous.

"I'm responsible for my team, myself and accomplishing the mission," he said. "As a fire team leader it is also important to get an overall picture of the situation. It is vital to know my Marines - their strengths and weaknesses."

As a fire team leader his responsibilities include accountability of his Marines and formation discipline, both of which are vital parts in a squad. This allows them to work together more efficiently.

As his squad patrols through the jungle, he also has to be constantly on the look out.

"You never know when you'll get ambushed," he said.

Vongvilay has participated in other patrolling exercises before. However, the jungle was the hardest one for him.

"There is more ground to cover and more avenues of approach for the enemy," Vongvilay said. "When you're out there its not mellow. When chaos breaks there is still a lot to be focused on.

"This was a great chance to go out there and do what we enlisted to do," he added. "It's easy for base Marines to forget their skills."

http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Public%20Affairs%20Info/Images%20Complete/IMAGES/090306-jwtc6.jpg

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Cpl. Danny Delgado: The Pack Leader
Staff Sgt. Leo Salinas

Where the rubber meets the road is where Marines can find their squad leader, or as some may call him, the pack leader. His command is usually comprised of 12-15 Marines, most not much older than him. The task of taking responsibility for his peers in every facet of planning and the execution of the mission is his major focus.

That was the task of Cpl. Danny Delgado.

The 21-year-old supply clerk normally orders parts and gear and checks on its arrival. His job helps the Marine Corps function by getting what the Marines need and getting it to the fight.

Now he is in the fight, albeit a mock one. His job as squad leader for second squad, second platoon, during the exercise has given him new responsibilities. Gone are the desks, air conditioning and computers. In their place is a thick, humid, lush-green jungle where simulated enemy lie in wait to destroy Delgado and his Marines.

The mission's success is on Delgado's shoulders, and he cannot fail.

This may seem like a lot of responsibility for a 21-year-old Marine from Woodstock, Ill. But it is exactly why he joined the Marine Corps.

"I wanted adventure," Delgado said. "I didn't like where I was in life, I didn't have any responsibility on my own."

Now as a senior corporal, he uses the experience of past exercises, including jungle warfare training he underwent as a young lance corporal.

"Before, I didn't have any responsibilities," Delgado said. "I just went with the flow, just following the herd. Now I see the moving parts. Everything is done for a reason."

Delgado's chance to showcase his experience in the jungle came when his patrol was ambushed. His squad was attacked and flanked on two sides. He quickly scrambled his squad together and reformed for a counter attack. However, the tide was quickly turning against them. The jungle is thick and the Marine's sight was impaired by the fog collecting on their protective face mask. Paint rounds splattered around Delgado, pinning him down along with the rest of his squad.

Delgado's only real option was to take lead and point out the enemy. He yelled commands to his fire teams and quickly gained the advantage. The enemy was defeated.

"The Marine Corps has a motto that every Marine is a rifleman," he said. "You don't have to be a grunt, but you need to know what the basic rifleman does so you can be prepared in combat."

http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Public%20Affairs%20Info/Images%20Complete/IMAGES/090306-jwtc9.jpg

Ellie