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CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Japan – Marines scheduled to augment an embedded training team in Afghanistan became the first to use the newly-built Advanced Motor Vehicle Operators Course in the Central Training Area Jan. 11.
The course features many unique obstacles developed to teach Humvee operators the capabilities of their vehicles and lower preventable accidents due to operator error, according to Gunnery Sgt. Cory Signorelli, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Division Licensing Schools, 3rd Marine Division.
"This training will save Marine lives," said Signorelli. "It shows just what these vehicles can do and gives Marines confidence when they are behind the wheel. We have the gas chamber to give Marines confidence in their gas masks – this is what will give them confidence in Humvees."
Although there are similar courses on other Marine Corps installations, this one features more obstacles drawn from operators' personal experiences as well as lessons learned from other units returning from Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, according to Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Suitt, the officer in charge of range control for Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.
Suitt said the 10 Marines acted as test subjects to help develop standard operating procedures for the course. Currently, the course has 13 obstacles, and another one is scheduled to be completed Feb. 28.
Before drivers maneuver the course, they walk through with an instructor as he explains the techniques used to safely pass an obstacle. Marines then attempt to overcome steep climbs, riverbeds, large pot holes and elevated paths with armored humvees.
The Marines agreed that the course substantially improved their abilities behind the wheel.
"I wish we had this (course) at the Motor Transportation School in Missouri," said Cpl. Norman Era, a motor transportation operator with the team. "This was definitely the thing to do in preparing for a deployment. It teaches you so much about your vehicle. It has been the best course for knowledge as well as hands on time."
Signorelli stressed to the Marines that many of the obstructions are similar to what they may encounter in Afghanistan, and with this training, they will have the poise to safely maneuver them.
"You will find yourself over there facing some of these objects and you will say, 'Ok, I got this. It's just like it was in Okinawa,'" Signorelli said.
Future plans for the course include night driving, Signorelli said.
| Date Taken: | 01.18.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.18.2008 04:36 |
| Story ID: | 15564 |
| Location: | CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 311 |
| Downloads: | 259 |
This work, Afghanistan-bound Okinawa Marines tackle new motor vehicle operators course, by 2nd Lt. Kevin Knallay, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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