thedrifter
08-25-09, 07:55 AM
Comanche Marines conduct leadership training
8/25/2009 By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez , Multi National Force - West
Marines from Company C, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, or “Comanche Company,” conducted leadership training on an abandoned farming compound north of Sahl Sinjar, Iraq, August 5, 2009.
In a twist, the more experienced Marines tasked junior Marines with organizing, briefing and planning a mock assault on a simulated insurgent headquarters.
Together, four lance corporals and a private first class laid out a mock attack for their platoon and even built a detailed terrain model of the entire compound. The Marines then took their squads aside and gave them more detailed briefs on their plans of attack.
“Exercises like this are good because they give the junior Marines the experience of being in a higher billet,” said Cpl. Matthew D. Parker, a vehicle commander with Comanche Co. “Some of us with more experience may not be [with the unit] next year if the unit deploys [again], so we use what time we have here to prepare them for any leadership roles they’ll need to take on.”
After the briefs, senior Marines gave the junior Marines their first bits of advice, which concentrated mostly on how to brief a platoon of Marines. Everything from tone of voice to body language can make or break the confidence one has in a leader, which is why the instructors considered briefing an important segment of the training program.
The unit then conducted a warm-up drill, which involved going through the plan and drilling what needed to be done during each phase of the simulated attack.
“It’s better practicing out here,” said 1st Lt. Luke A. Williamson, 1st Platoon commander. “Here we don’t have to work with range controllers, do scheduling or anything like that. We’ve got a massive desert with abandoned buildings scattered throughout. It’s a perfect training environment.”
Once the opening stages of the briefing and dry runs were completed, the Marines packed their equipment into their vehicles and drove away, only to return 20 minutes later for the actual mock mission.
They stormed in from the direction of the sun and the Light Armored Vehicle-25s rolled to a stop within a safe distance of the compound. The Marine scouts on board raced out and covered one another as they advanced.
Before long, they were searching buildings and clearing room after room. Suddenly a voice called out, “Alright, he’s hit,” and the junior Marines were faced with the unexpected task of calling for an aerial medical evacuation.
Fortunately, arrangements had already been made, and the mock mission proceeded as planned while the simulated casualty was evacuated. Atop the final building, a Marine yelled, “all clear,” signaling the end of the exercise. In all, the mock assault lasted seven minutes.
“I think my Marines did a fantastic job,” said Williamson. “They were well-trained and needed very little guidance or supervision. Their planning, refinement, rehearsal and execution of the deliberate attack was nearly textbook.”
After the operation, the Marines sat down and were debriefed and counseled by senior members of the platoon. Together, they went over the mission and discussed what was done well and, more importantly, what could be improved.
“It could’ve gone better,” said Pfc. James P. Hagy, a scout machine gunner. “We’ll work on our communications skills and movement. It’s all repetition and practice, which is important.”
As the sun faded into the horizon, compliments were paid to the junior enlisted Marines who led the simulated assault. The day’s work had paid off, and a future deployment may see the Marines of Comanche Co. using the lessons they learned at a long-abandoned compound in the northern deserts of Iraq.
Ellie
8/25/2009 By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez , Multi National Force - West
Marines from Company C, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, or “Comanche Company,” conducted leadership training on an abandoned farming compound north of Sahl Sinjar, Iraq, August 5, 2009.
In a twist, the more experienced Marines tasked junior Marines with organizing, briefing and planning a mock assault on a simulated insurgent headquarters.
Together, four lance corporals and a private first class laid out a mock attack for their platoon and even built a detailed terrain model of the entire compound. The Marines then took their squads aside and gave them more detailed briefs on their plans of attack.
“Exercises like this are good because they give the junior Marines the experience of being in a higher billet,” said Cpl. Matthew D. Parker, a vehicle commander with Comanche Co. “Some of us with more experience may not be [with the unit] next year if the unit deploys [again], so we use what time we have here to prepare them for any leadership roles they’ll need to take on.”
After the briefs, senior Marines gave the junior Marines their first bits of advice, which concentrated mostly on how to brief a platoon of Marines. Everything from tone of voice to body language can make or break the confidence one has in a leader, which is why the instructors considered briefing an important segment of the training program.
The unit then conducted a warm-up drill, which involved going through the plan and drilling what needed to be done during each phase of the simulated attack.
“It’s better practicing out here,” said 1st Lt. Luke A. Williamson, 1st Platoon commander. “Here we don’t have to work with range controllers, do scheduling or anything like that. We’ve got a massive desert with abandoned buildings scattered throughout. It’s a perfect training environment.”
Once the opening stages of the briefing and dry runs were completed, the Marines packed their equipment into their vehicles and drove away, only to return 20 minutes later for the actual mock mission.
They stormed in from the direction of the sun and the Light Armored Vehicle-25s rolled to a stop within a safe distance of the compound. The Marine scouts on board raced out and covered one another as they advanced.
Before long, they were searching buildings and clearing room after room. Suddenly a voice called out, “Alright, he’s hit,” and the junior Marines were faced with the unexpected task of calling for an aerial medical evacuation.
Fortunately, arrangements had already been made, and the mock mission proceeded as planned while the simulated casualty was evacuated. Atop the final building, a Marine yelled, “all clear,” signaling the end of the exercise. In all, the mock assault lasted seven minutes.
“I think my Marines did a fantastic job,” said Williamson. “They were well-trained and needed very little guidance or supervision. Their planning, refinement, rehearsal and execution of the deliberate attack was nearly textbook.”
After the operation, the Marines sat down and were debriefed and counseled by senior members of the platoon. Together, they went over the mission and discussed what was done well and, more importantly, what could be improved.
“It could’ve gone better,” said Pfc. James P. Hagy, a scout machine gunner. “We’ll work on our communications skills and movement. It’s all repetition and practice, which is important.”
As the sun faded into the horizon, compliments were paid to the junior enlisted Marines who led the simulated assault. The day’s work had paid off, and a future deployment may see the Marines of Comanche Co. using the lessons they learned at a long-abandoned compound in the northern deserts of Iraq.
Ellie