Strengthening the backbone: NCOs share lessons learned in combat

Photo By Staff Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez | U.S. Marine Sgt. Joseph Mussulin, a squad leader with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, and 24-year-old native of Susanville, Calif., uses a combat mine detector to sweep for mock improvised explosive devices during an IED training course here, March 9. Marines with 2/9, 2nd Bn., 6th Marines, 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., and Regimental Combat Team 5 attended the course as part of a noncommissioned officer symposium hosted by RCT-5. The symposium allowed the NCOs from Marjah, Nawa, Garmsir and Khan Neshin districts to share their experiences, solutions to common issues they face on the battlefield and discuss current Marine Corps affairs.  

CAMP DWYER, AFGHANISTAN

03.17.2012

Story by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – Corporals and sergeants hold arguably the most important leadership roles in Marine infantry units. So it’s no surprise that noncommissioned officers are often referred to as the backbone of the Corps.

Having a wealth of knowledge and experience about strategy and enemy tactics on the battlefield is vital to a Marine infantryman’s success in counterinsurgency operations in southern Helmand province.

With the success and safety of infantrymen in mind, Regimental Combat Team 5 hosted a noncommissioned officer’s symposium here, March 8-10.

Corporals and sergeants from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Bn., 9th Marines, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, and RCT-5 attended the symposium. The NCOs fill various leadership roles, such as squad and team leaders, within their respective battalions.

“We came here and got the opportunity to meet and talk with our peers who are operating in other districts,” said Sgt. Steven J. Vanderbrink, a squad leader with Fox Company, 2/9 and 22-year-old native of Blakeslee, Pa.

During the symposium, the NCOs, representing Marine forces in Marjah, Nawa, Garmsir and Khan Neshin districts, discussed and shared best practices ranging from the training of Afghan National Security Forces to personal protective equipment and standard operating procedures.

“Talking with other squad leaders helped us see the problems they had,” said Vanderbrink. “We shared possible solutions, and we also saw what kind of mistakes they’ve made in the past.”

The small unit leaders also joined explosive ordnance disposal experts at the improvised explosive device training lanes here, to improve their techniques for locating and investigating possible IEDs in the field.

“We got to see what other Marines saw at the squad leader level,” said Sgt. Victor Longoria, a personal security officer with the RCT-5 personal security detachment and 28-year-old native of Houston. “I think bringing us all together was a good idea.”

Lengthy discussions during the symposium enabled Marines to put fresh perspective on leadership challenges they’ve encountered on and off the battlefield.

“We learned about atmospherics of the locals and the [ANSF] in the different districts,” said Longoria. “We talked about the standing of our forces with the local population and the development and training of [ANSF]. It’s especially important that I know that, being that PSD rolls through all the different areas in our AO (area of operations).”

As the symposium came to a close, the leaders sat down for dinner with Col. Roger B. Turner, the RCT-5 commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Alberto Ruiz, the RCT-5 sergeant major.

“Your Marines will watch and follow every action you take and every word you say,” said Ruiz to the assembled NCOs. “This [symposium] is a great opportunity to gather experience and knowledge to pass on to your Marines.”

With newfound perspective from their peers in neighboring districts, the leaders returned to their respective battalions to continue their work with Afghan forces ahead of the transition of lead security responsibility in the remaining districts of southern Helmand.

Editor’s note: Regimental Combat Team 5 is assigned to 1st Marine Division (Forward), which works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2012
• Date Posted: 03.17.2012 04:27
• Story ID: 85400
• Location: CAMP DWYER, AF