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Small unit leaders in the infantry are called upon to carry out
orders and make decisions on the battlefield, and at times making
the seemingly impossible ... possible. It occurs ... because of the
rigorous training in their craft and the development of their
leadership skills. It's that dedication that has been a hallmark of
the Marine's ethos since the Corps' inception.
Ensuring the
next generation of professional warfighters continues to maintain
the standard of excellence, which has been established for more than
240 years, is a never ending mission for every Marine.
On March
2, 2016, Marines
from collective infantry and
non-infantry units conducted combat
marksmanship training in urban terrain as part of an Urban Leaders
Course presented by instructors with 1st Marine Division Schools at
Camp Pendleton.
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U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Parker Chase gets into position as the point
man in his fire team during combat marksmanship training at Camp
Pendleton March 2, 2016. The training was part of the Urban Leaders
Course taught by 1st Marine Division Schools. The course focuses on
enhancing small unit leadership through integrated training and
implementation of fire teams and squad-sized elements in an urban
setting. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos)
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The course focuses on enhancing small unit leadership
through integrated training and implementation of fire
teams, and squad-sized elements, in an urban setting.
Because of its close quarters, and numerous hiding positions
an urban setting is one of the most dangerous areas
Marines operate in. Here,
Marines' physical and mental
endurance is pushed to the limits.
“Not a lot of
Marines have the opportunity
to go through room clearings, specifically with live-fire,”
said Staff Sgt. David G. Agundez, chief instructor for Urban
Leaders Course, 1st Marine Division Schools.
“Obviously we do have [simunition] training, but the more
realistic aspect of having live-fire training is something
that really helps [students] out.”
The
Marines are divided into two
squads, each comprised of Marines
with various infantry and non-infantry military occupational
specialties. During the three-week course,
Marines are expected to fill
every role of a fire team.
This allows
Marines to get a better
appreciation and understanding of how the team's success
depends on everyone doing their job.
“When these Marines go back to
their units, they will be the subject matter experts on how to
operate in urban terrain,” said Agundez, who is
from El Centro. “The only way to
ensure we are sending them back fully trained is to have them know
every role, so when the time comes they know how to employ their
Marines.”
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Marines execute a rehearsal of concept drill during combat
marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton March 2, 2016. The training
was part of the Urban Leaders Course taught by 1st Marine Division
Schools. The course focuses on enhancing small unit leadership
through integrated training and implementation of fire teams and
squad-sized elements in an urban setting. Marines participating in
the training are from various units on Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos)
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During the room clearing portion of the training,
Marines rehearsed different
techniques that can be used to clear structures. While
Marines executed their task,
instructors assessed the teams with emphasis on the leader's
actions.
“A lot of Marines,
they pause, they hold, and they freeze. Ultimately, that's
something that is really bad because in this type of
environment in the real world anything can be thrown at
you,” said Agundez. “When you commit to a house, or a
building, whatever the situation is, you have to go full-on
knowing that it's not about just me; it's about the
Marines to the left and right
of me.”
To make sure the lessons were
learned
from mistakes made,
Marines were penalized by
having to conduct a casualty evacuation. This meant having
to firemans carry the casualty more than 300 yards; a task
that left everyone in the squad gasping for air.
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Marines execute a casualty evacuation drill during combat
marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton March 2, 2016. The training
was part of the Urban Leaders Course taught by 1st Marine Division
Schools. The course focuses on enhancing small unit leadership
through integrated training and implementation of fire teams and
squad-sized elements in an urban setting. Marines participating in
the training are from various units on Camp Pendleton (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos)
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“It was one of the more challenging aspects of the
course, but it worked,” said Lance Cpl. Parker Chase, a
rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Mar.
Div. “I'll remember to fix my mistakes on the next run
because I don't want to do that again.”>
After a long
day of rehearsals, the fruits of the students' labor began
to show, as fewer mistakes were made, and better execution
was praised by instructors.r>
“Every unit can't afford to
send all their Marines to
this course, so these Marines
become a huge asset for their units because they can pass
this knowledge and training on,” said Agundez.
The
course begins its final days of training next week. During
this time, the pressure will intensify as Marines' understanding of
military operations in urban terrain will be tested in a
larger combat town. If
successful, these Marines
will return to their units better trained and stronger
leaders.
By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
The U.S. Marines
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