APS-12: Marines, Riverines come together through MCMAP

Photo By Cpl. Joshua Hines | Lance Cpl. Zachary Chivell with ground combat element, Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012, strikes a practice bag, while conducting Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training aboard the USS Fort McHenry, July 17. The MCMAP training was conducted in order to continue the Marines required training while deployed.  

USS FORT MCHENRY, USEUCOM, AT SEA

08.04.2012

Story by Cpl. Joshua Hines 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

USS FORT MCHENRY - Crowded around the circle, a blazing sun resting high above, they close in. Inside the mass of bodies, a lone warrior stands his ground against the overwhelming numbers, sweat dripping down his brow, he keeps his eyes on the approaching enemies.

The horizon rises and falls in the distance as the USS Fort McHenry's flight deck teeters from side-to-side, making it a constant struggle to maintain his footing. Still the lone warrior stands firm against his opposition.

Suddenly, the lone warrior is confronted from three different directions. "One-two combo," calls out a Marine from behind a practice bag. Immediately, the lone warrior strikes the bag twice in quick succession. "Hip-toss," yells another Marine from the left. The lone warrior flings the Marine over his hip and onto the padded mat in one fluid motion.

Before he can fully recover from tossing the Marine, two massive arms wrap around the lone warrior from behind. "Reversal to the rear bear-hug," shouts a giant of a sailor. Without missing a beat, the lone warrior drops his weight and shifts his foot behind the sailor's and quickly twists his body, sending the giant tumbling to the mat.

One after another, Marines and sailors of Security Cooperation Task Force Africa Partnership Station 2012, stepped into the ring and performed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques they had learned over the past week against classmates while conducting sustainment training, aboard the USS Fort McHenry, July 17.

Each day the Marines are joined by sailors from Riverine Squadron 3, Detachment 2, who are working to earn their first MCMAP belt.

"I think the training that we're getting is something everyone in our command should have," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Martinez, Riverine Squadron 3, Detachment 2. "I'm really enjoying the physical aspect of it and knowing that, with this training, in a combat situation I would be able to defend myself."

The MCMAP classes last four hours a day beginning with conditioning workouts which force the Marines and sailors to push themselves as well as their limitations.

"When we do the PT before the training it puts us in an exhausted state of mind, so that when we're training, it sets us up for a real life situation where we'll have to keep fighting even though we're exhausted," said Martinez.

Meeting each other on the MCMAP mat is the first time many of the Marines and sailors have had a chance to interact with one another since their first encounter during the insertion and exertion training conducted in May.

"The class is great," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Shields, Riverine Squadron 3, Detachment 2. "I can tell we're building camaraderie between the Marines and the sailors, not just out there during the class, but in the hallways and the galley when we say 'Hi' and talk, I definitely feel that closeness."

That camaraderie will prove invaluable as the SCTF APS-12 moves ever closer to conducting its primary mission to train alongside African militaries in the coming months. Until then, the Marines and sailors will continue to ready themselves through the MCMAP training in order to be better equipped to accomplish their mission.

• Date Taken: 08.04.2012
• Date Posted: 08.05.2012 10:16
• Story ID: 92686
• Location: USS FORT MCHENRY, USEUCOM, AT SEA