CLR-3 Marines renew warfighting spirit

Photo By Sgt. Alyssa N. Gunton | Lance Cpl. Roy Kennedy tells Lance Cpl. Joseph W. Cobb how to properly clear a .50-caliber Browning heavy machine gun during crew-served weapons training at Camp Schwab Oct. 24. Many of the Marines that took part in the training spend most of their days in an office and this training provided them with an opportunity to sharpen their infantry skills. Kennedy is a military policeman with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Cobb is a data systems technician with the regiment.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.24.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Alyssa N. Gunton 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - A Marine yells, “Half load!” alerting those around that the bolt of a .50-caliber Browning machine gun is forward. The Marine then yells, “Full load!” signifying the weapon is now loaded and ready to fire.

Commands echoed loudly as Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted crew-served weapons training at Camp Schwab Oct. 24.

The crew-served weapons shoot was part of a week-long training evolution, which focused on sharpening both military occupational specialty and infantry skills.

The Marines trained on convoy operations, improvised explosive device drills and military operations on urban terrain throughout the week.

“We learned proper techniques and procedures for MOUT and the dangers and intensity involved with urban operations,” said Lance Cpl. Frank L. Brasington, a data systems technician with the regiment.

Some of the Marines who took part in the training spend most days in an office. They relished the opportunity to execute field training, according to Brasington.

“This got us out of our normal environment and into the field, where most of us don’t get a lot of hands-on experience,” said Brasington. “This week reminded us that every Marine is a rifleman.”

The training evolution improved more than the Marines’ knowledge and familiarity with weapons and procedures.

“I can already see a boost in morale,” said Lance Cpl. Anthony M. Tucker, a motor vehicle operator with CLR-3. “The camaraderie has increased significantly within the junior leadership. We are all in this together, day in and day out.”

The training gave Marines the necessary experience to better react in combat situations, according to Staff Sgt. Nyan R. Kendrick, the motor transport staff noncommissioned officer in charge with CLR-3.

“Training is where mistakes can be made because once they (are in combat), it’s game on,” said Kendrick. “That’s where real things happen to real people. The best part of this training was to see young Marines give it 100 percent. They pushed forward, did different things, learned their weak and strong points, and successfully completed this training evolution.”

• Date Taken: 10.24.2012
• Date Posted: 11.01.2012 02:33
• Story ID: 97113
• Location: OKINAWA, JP