CLC-36 Marines improve combat capabilities during reaction drill training as part of Exercise Dragon Fire 2014

Photo By Sgt. Antonio Rubio | Combat Logistics Company 36 Marines and augments await instructions to fire their M-16A4 service rifles during reaction drills as a part of Exercise Dragon Fire 2014 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 13. Dragon Fire is CLC-36’s annual Battle Skills Training exercise that focuses on improving the individual and collective combat skills of CLC-36 service members with an emphasis on weapons familiarization training.  

GOTEMBA, SHIZUOKA, JAPAN

07.14.2014

Story by Cpl. Antonio Rubio 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

GOTEMBA, Japan - Combat Logistics Company 36 Marines and augments stepped on the firing line with their M-16A4 service rifles to practice reaction drills and weapon proficiency during Exercise Dragon Fire 2014 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 13.

Dragon Fire is CLC-36’s annual Battle Skills Training exercise that focuses on improving the individual and collective combat skills of CLC-36 service members with an emphasis on weapons familiarization training.

“This increases Marines’ proficiency because it builds muscle memory,” said Sgt. Victor Carrasco, logistics chief with CLC-36. “We do repetitive tasks like control pairs and hammer pairs, getting them use to that type of movement so when they’re in combat, they don’t even have to think about it. They execute what they were taught because it’s second nature to them.”

Marines shot more than 200 rounds individually, adding up to more than 10,000 rounds during the training evolution.
For most Marines who participated, this was their first time shooting a rifle since Marine Combat Training.

“This training exercise is for us to re-train ourselves for combat,” said Lance Cpl. James Cohen, an expeditionary airfield technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, augmented to CLC-36. “It’s been almost a year and a half since the last time I’ve fired a rifle. After MCT, Marines tend to get rusty and being in Iwakuni makes it more difficult because Marines don’t always see the range and they get tied up in their jobs, so it’s a great thing for them to be able to get back in the field.”

Carrasco said Marines are known as being ready to deploy anywhere, any time and prepare for this is through continuous training.

“It’s important for them to train for combat because Marines are the invasion force of America; we’re America’s 911,” said Carrasco. “When we get called, we’re the first ones in, last one out. The Marines need to know that when you go to combat, you’re going to be a rifleman regardless of your (military occupational specialty).”

The reaction drills executed simulated a combat scenario, as it required Marines to perform search and asses techniques, along with other maneuvers.

“Reaction drills get me out of the habit of standing, pointing and shooting repetitively and waiting for commands,” said Cohen. “These drills get me into a more alert mindset of aiming quickly and putting rounds down range.”

With all the commotion and yelling over live rounds, Carrasco said Marines need to sustain this type of training because they never know when they might get placed into a combat situation and need to be ready to act.

“The big take away from shooting so many rounds is the repetitiveness,” said Carrasco. “It goes back to that muscle memory. If you just continue to fire, fire, fire, they get used to the feel of the weapon and how their weapon operates.”

• Date Taken: 07.14.2014
• Date Posted: 07.22.2014 21:18
• Story ID: 136945
• Location: GOTEMBA, SHIZUOKA, JP