3rd LE Bn Marines master patrol techniques

Photo By Lance Cpl. David Hersey | 2nd Lt. Keith G. Lowell, right, discusses Pfc. Luis A. Gomez’s concealed position during a simulated security patrol March 19 at the Central Training Area as part of a field training exercise. The officers and staff noncommissioned officers with Company A, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, provided guidance during and after the patrol to help the Marines increase proficiency and identify areas for improvement. Gomez is a military police member with Company A, 3rd LE Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. Lowell is a military police officer with the company.  

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.19.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. David Hersey 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Eyes scan the immediate area, searching for potential threats. The patrolling Marines never know when the enemy may strike. They stay vigilant. They stay alert.

Marines with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion patrolled the surrounding area near a recently established base camp March 19 at Landing Zone Pigeon in the Central Training Area during a field training exercise.

The patrol familiarized the Marines with tactics and techniques they could use in a deployed environment, all while developing small-unit leadership, according to 2nd Lt. Keith G. Lowell, a military police officer with Company A, 3rd LE Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

“This training is beneficial to every level of command in our battalion,” said Lowell. “Both the junior Marines and commanders gain more confidence in the leadership skills of the corporals and fire team leaders. In addition, the leaders themselves gain confidence in their own skills.”

After traveling to a predetermined point, the patrol received a mock high-value detainee from an adjacent platoon, and began escorting him back to the landing zone.

During the return trip, the Marines encountered a simulated ambush. The attack required them to use the skills and knowledge gained during previous training evolutions to overcome the situation while protecting the prisoner. Once the enemy was defeated, they returned to the landing zone and placed the detainee in a detention area.

“The Marines did well,” said Staff Sgt. Eric J. Ellenberger, a military police member with the company. “They managed to use their training to overcome the situations and accomplish the mission. There were some areas that could use improvement and that is why we do this training.”

For the Marines in the platoon, the training built trust in their leadership and improved individual skills at the same time, according to Lance Cpl. Russ J. Byhre, a military police member with Company A.

“The squad and fire team leaders are given the opportunity to lead their Marines through a combat scenario,” said Byhre. “They test themselves. The Marines see them come up with solutions to situations and learn to trust them.”

The Marines finished the training, each feeling more confident in their ability to accomplish similar missions while deployed, according to Byhre.

“I’m learning a lot out here,” said Byhre. “I keep all the notes from our critiques, so I can make sure we are successful in the future.”

• Date Taken: 03.19.2014
• Date Posted: 03.25.2014 05:01
• Story ID: 122492
• Location: CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, JP
• Hometown: FALLBROOK, CA, US
• Hometown: HUMBLE, TX, US