Photo By Lance Cpl. Donald Peterson | A Republic of Korea Marine demonstrates mujukto, the style of martial arts used by the...... read more read more
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SOUTH KOREA - As the bone-chilling air sent goose bumps jolting down the Marine’s body, he diligently pushed forward through the cold as he put one hand in front of the other, pulling himself across a long black rope stretched across a 30-foot wide gap.
Republic of Korea Marines and U.S. Marines partook in an intense ROK ranger training course April 15, at the 1st ROK Marine Division Base, Pohang, followed by a closing ceremony and warrior day held April 16.
The training was conducted as part of the Korean Marine Exchange Program 13-6, which is one of three KMEPS taking place during exercise Ssang Yong 13.
The ranger course consisted of crossing a one-rope bridge that was stretched across a 30-foot gap, an improvised ROK obstacle course and a rock climbing wall session.
"The ranger training course was a good opportunity to train with our Korean counterparts and to teach each other how we operate," said Capt. Paul Smith, the company commander for Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
The first obstacle of the course was the one-rope bridge, a rope that stretched from one platform to another. The bridge tested the Marines’ ability to perform under stressful, uncomfortable conditions.
"The one-rope bridge was physically demanding and painful," said Lance Cpl. John Maples, a mechanic with H&S Co., 3rd Recon. "As you cross the one-rope bridge you're taught two methods to pull yourself across, the over hand and the two-handed pull. If you don't conduct the techniques properly you overwork your arms making them feel extremely weak and tired. When you pull yourself across the top of the bridge the rope creates a painful burn on your chest from the friction of you pulling yourself across it."
Following the one-rope bridge the Marines partook in an improvised obstacle course which consisted of six different obstacles.
"The obstacle course is designed to challenge you physically as well as to improve your balance and coordination," said ROK Cpl. Woo Hyun Woo, a radio operator with 7th Company, 72nd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, ROK Marine Corps.
Following the obstacle course, the ROK and U.S. Forces completed the ranger training with a rock climbing wall.
"The rock climbing wall was massive," said Maples. "The feeling of when you possibly fall is an extreme adrenaline rush. Even though you are harnessed to a safety rope it’s still a scary feeling when you start to drop."
The following day a closing ceremony was held to bring the KMEP with the H&S Co., Recon Bn. and the ROK 7th Co., 72nd Bn. to an end.
The ceremony consisted of martial arts demonstrations, a Combat Fitness Test and a game of soccer.
"The martial arts that were demonstrated were taekwondo and mujukto," said Woo. "Mujukto is our special martial art that is a combination of taekwondo and other forms of martial arts used by our military."
At the end of the ceremony the ROK and U.S. Forces sung their respective hymns and presented each other with gifts. Each Marine was given the 72nd Regiment’s coin by the commander of 7th Company, and in return the Marines presented the company with a plaque to thank them for all of the training.
"The training was quite enjoyable," said Smith. "It was a great experience for all of us Marines and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to train with our Korean counterparts."
| Date Taken: | 04.15.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2013 00:35 |
| Story ID: | 106599 |
| Location: | 26, KR |
| Web Views: | 772 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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