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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carlos Paz-Sosa, a combat photographer assigned to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, poses for a portrait after a hike to Combat Town during a Communication Strategy and Operations field training exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 8, 2026. The COMMSTRAT FTX is a five-day event focused on increasing acumen and tactical proficiency to provide commanders with capable COMMSTRAT forces at the tactical level.
“The FTX has been described to me as an exercise to train COMMSTRAT Marines to help us understand what the Marine Corps is,” said Paz-Sosa. “Kind of bring us back to reality to show us we are riflemen first, you know, warrior’s ethos.”
Marines on day four of the exercise practiced clearing rooms and learning basic infantry skills. Following the practice, Marines put their skills to the test by using simulated rounds against infantrymen from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines.
“Today the most exciting part for me was coming back with injuries on my arm,” said Paz-Sosa. “I’m just motivated coming back with those battle scars. It was fun. Definitely scary but fun.”
Approaching the end of the FTX, Paz-Sosa has been able to gain information he can take to his home unit.
“In the Marine aspect, it brought me back to reality. It showed me I’m not where I want to be yet,” said Paz-Sosa. “I want to be stronger in MCMAP and better at hiking since it was one of my favorite things to do in recruit training." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Dulce Alvarez Lemus)
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2026 01:52 |
| Photo ID: | 9628639 |
| VIRIN: | 260409-M-QW445-1092 |
| Resolution: | 4637x6952 |
| Size: | 5.27 MB |
| Location: | CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 1 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, U.S. Marines participate in COMMSTRAT Field Training Exercise [Image 34 of 34], by PFC Dulce Alvarez Lemus, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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