Training shows improvement for Marine’s confidence and readiness

Photo By Sgt. Austin Long | Bravo Company, 2nd AA Battalion stages amphibious assault vehicles before leaving the ramp to do last minute communication checks, gear checks, and to make sure all Marines are accounted for and know their jobs. “The AAV is our primary weapon system. As the Marine Corps gets back to its amphibious roots, it’s extremely important that we’re able to deploy the amtrack in support of ground combat units; specifically tanks and infantry,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Wallenstein, platoon commander, from New York City.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

03.01.2013

Story by Cpl. Austin Long 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Deployments to Afghanistan have had Marines in the 2nd AA Battalion operating as riflemen, rather than amphibious assault vehicle crewmen. Now that the war in Afghanistan is beginning to wind down, the battalion wants to draw focus back on amphibious operations while still maintaining readiness and confidence in performing dismounted operations said leaders of Bravo Company. From February 24 to March 1, 2nd AA battalion’s Bravo Company trained in two areas, mounted and dismounted techniques.

The training is a two part training evolution. One part is for the Marines to gain confidence with rifles, patrols, raids and fire and maneuver drills, while the other part is to practice amphibious operations, tactics, and movements with the vehicles said Sgt. Richard Wheeler, section leader, from Newark, Ohio.

“For the first part of the firing portion we had Marines doing the basics, just to get them used to the weapon again,” said Wheeler. “We had them doing controlled pairs, hammer pairs, box drills, and basic turns and pivots with a rifle.”

A controlled pair is a slow, two-shot sequence. The purpose is to accurately and effectively engage an enemy. A hammer pair is a two-shot sequence, judged by how close the shots are together on the target. The reason for quick, closely placed shots is because it creates a larger wound on the enemy and produces a more fatal result, according to the marksmanship coaches. The box pair drill teaches Marines how to engage multiple enemy targets using controlled pairs followed by either a head or groin shot to both enemies.

“The training is more focused on real life scenarios,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Mullins, 2nd platoon sergeant. “Also it’s to allow the Marines to gain confidence with weapons. The more you shoot the more comfortable and precise you are.”

After a shaky start Marines were still able to train and improve as the week continued.

“The first day, we saw some of the Marines shaking, but over time they became more confident, and from start to finish we’ve been able to notice a drastic change for the better,” said Wheeler.

The fire and maneuver portion had influences from both Marine Corps instruction booklets and experiences from Marines in the company who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan Wheeler said.

“I thought the shooting part of training really helped,” said Lance Cpl. Cody Mayle, a crew chief from Grafton, W. Va. “It’s not just a yearly rifle range. It allows them to practice the close quarters shooting they could experience in combat.”

The leadership at Bravo Company believes Marines should be balanced throughout the areas they operate in. Just knowing the vehicle side of their job is not enough.

“Overall we want the Marines to be balanced,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Johnson, the first sergeant and ops chief, a native from Bucksport, Maine. “You can’t just be good at your job. We want them to be both technically and combat effective.”

The vehicle portion of training focused on meeting requirements for both amphibious travel and vehicle formations while traveling or providing support.

“The AAV is our primary weapon system. As the Marine Corps gets back to its amphibious roots, it’s extremely important that we’re able to deploy the amtrack in support of ground combat units; specifically tanks and infantry,” said 2nd Lt. Daniel Wallenstein, 2nd platoon commander, from New York City.

“The vehicles have a .50 caliber machine gun and MK19 (40mm grenade launcher) that is able to provide heavy volumes of fire to help units complete their objectives,” said Wallenstein. “We’re also able to cover multiple terrain while traveling at 45 mph and carrying an infantry unit.”

With a tank unit, the tanks will move first as the spear of the formation, while the AAV’s follow with a grunt unit (infantry) in them,” said Wallenstein. “We’re also able to provide mutual supporting fire (covering fire) along with tanks if we have to.”
The mounted portion of training has the Marines traveling and living out of their vehicles. At the end of the week the platoons will end with a river crossing to practice amphibious operations. In the future this could include river patrols, transporting troops to shore from ship, and multiple other scenarios.

“You have to constantly train to maintain knowledge of amphibious training or you could start forgetting it and it could result in a Marine being killed,” said Mullins.

Since AAV’s are the largest armored troop carrier it is important the Marines know techniques for both on and off vehicle operations.

“The training overall was great,” said Mayle. “I want my crew to be more experienced in water operations and patrolling. It’s all about my crew. I feel the more comfortable they are now, the more smoothly a deployment will go for us.”

• Date Taken: 03.01.2013
• Date Posted: 03.08.2013 14:00
• Story ID: 103165
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US
• Hometown: BUCKSPORT, ME, US
• Hometown: GRAFTON, WV, US
• Hometown: NEW YORK MILLS, NY, US
• Hometown: NEWARK, OH, US