Photo By Sgt. Juan A. Soto-Delgado | Pfc. Kevin Diaz-Rodriguez, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd...... read more read more
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FORT PICKETT, Va. – The sounds of combat boots hitting the ground and echoes of weapon systems firing are heard as the Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, participated in the Infantry Platoon Battle Course during a deployment for training exercise at Fort. Pickett, Va., Aug. 17th, 2016.
The training consisted of company live-fire supported attacks, fire support training and command post exercises in order to prepare the Marines for their upcoming deployment to various areas throughout Europe and Africa.
“The purpose of this training is to improve upon the Marines’ ability to do a combined arms assault,” said 1st Sgt. Matthew R. Holcomb, the company 1st Sgt. for Charlie Co. “The more that my Marines become comfortable with all the moving parts, the more cohesive they will become.”
The training consisted of overcoming obstacles, including clearing trenches and breaching concertina wire. The Marines engaged targets with small arms and the support of heavier weapons firing from adjacent positions.
The IPBC range is usually used for platoon sized exercises and vehicle training, but the Marines with 1st Bn, 2nd Marines used it as a company-level course.
“There is a lot of ground to cover considering the course was designed for vehicle training,” said Pfc. Kevin Diaz-Rodriguez, a Rifleman with the company.
The live-fire range was two miles long and the Marines navigated the course within an hour. The course tested the Marines in their ability to communicate with one another effectively to complete the mission.
“I felt pretty confident in the Marines to my left and right. I wasn’t worried about having to look over my shoulder because I knew everyone was where they were supposed to be,” said Diaz-Rodriguez. “It really goes to show you that with enough training, even a company with mainly new guys can come together with the professional training we are receiving.”
The training allowed for the Marines to become comfortable with live-fire differential firing lines happening around them to achieve their goal of becoming more cohesive as a company.
“The more camaraderie the Marines build with one another, the faster they will understand what they are capable of,” said Holcomb. “I’m confident the Marines will be able to perform if and when the time for action arises.”
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2016 10:11 |
| Story ID: | 208583 |
| Location: | FORT PICKETT, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 268 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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