Marines with 1/6 watch for something out of the ordinary

Photo By Staff Sgt. Immanuel Johnson | Private First Class John McGraw, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division and native of Ashland, Ky., collapses during the initial blast of an improvised explosive device during a training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 15, 2015. Another Marine steps up and assumes the role and responsibilities that belonged to that Marine that was affected allowing the patrol to continue. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Immanuel Johnson/Released)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

04.15.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Immanuel Johnson 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Patrolling the left and right hand side of the road, observing the atmosphere that contains improvised explosive devices is being scrutinized by infantry Marines. Being aware of your surroundings can be the difference between stepping on an IED or visually spotting it to ensure the squad bypasses the danger zone.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division are participated in practical application lanes of the counter IED lanes to prepare for an upcoming Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15, 2015.

“It is important for these guys to get this training early on,” said First Lt. Jameson Clem, the Executive Officer of Bravo Company, 1/6 and native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. “It helps drive home importance the battalion and higher levels within the Marine Corps have analyzing the IED threat while Marines combat it.”

The Marines received a couple days of classes about counter IED from contractor instructors that teaches tactics and techniques they can use to identify at the small unit level.

“Preparing for the MEU like we are is extremely important to these guys,” said Clem. “The IED threat is going to be a huge one for any of the places we can be deployed on the Marine Expeditionary Unit.”

Having received new junior Marines, teaching them how to identify IED’s ensures they are prepared to deploy when need be.

“The company getting into it (exercise) early is extremely important,” said Clem. “It helps us keep in mind the threats we are going to face, and as we move forward into different types of operations.”

This training is all about the small unit leaders making decisions, and the Marines under them being able to execute it.

“The guys that are new to the unit to step up and fill those roles, said Clem.” They don’t do it perfectly, they’re learning, everybody’s still learning.

The Marines are expected to keep pushing through the lanes so they can accomplish the mission that’s expected.

• Date Taken: 04.15.2015
• Date Posted: 04.21.2015 16:20
• Story ID: 160729
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US
• Hometown: WOONSOCKET, RI, US