Photo By Sgt. Theodore Ritchie | Cpl. Jeremy Ramirez, an instructor for the Battle Skills Training School, demonstrates...... read more read more
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By Lance Cpl. Justin M. Martinez
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element attended a four-day combined pre-deployment training course at the Battle Skills Training School aboard Camp Lejeune Aug. 11-14, 2008, to sharpen their basic combat skills.
Battle Skills Training School, or BSTS, is part of 2nd Marine Logistics Group. The school provides Marines refresher training in Marine Corps Common Skills and expands on the ideal that every Marine is a rifleman first.
"Every man is no longer just a rifleman," said the MEU's Operations Chief and League City, Texas native, Master Gunnery Sgt. Stewart Stout. "Every Marine now has to be an infantryman."
Stout explained that the difference has to do with learning small-unit tactics at the fire-team level - something that is difficult to do normally in a unit like the MEU's Command Element, where Marines are organized into task-oriented work sections.
The Battle Skills Training School removes the Marines from their office environment and groups them into squads to apply the training they receive.
"The Marines get information on land navigation and establishing entry and vehicle check points," said Staff Sergeant Charles A. Calfee, a Marine Corps Martial Arts instructor-trainer and a primary instructor for the Battle Skills Training School. "They also get some practical application on urban and dismounted patrolling and immediate action drills for Improvised Explosive Devices."
The training is something Marines need to take with when they go overseas, said Calfee. It gives Marines the confidence they need in any situation they may face, he added.
"We really want Marines to leave here better prepared, otherwise we have no purpose to be here," said Calfee.
The education the MEU Marines gained can be attributed to the instructors' many years of experience.
"The Marines that were instructing us were very knowledgeable. They taught us their job and they know exactly what they are talking about," said Lance Cpl. John W. Paszkiet II, an administrative clerk with the MEU and native of South Bend, Ind.
The instructors are professionals in their job and they volunteer at the BSTS because they have a desire to share their knowledge with Marines who might go into the teeth of conflict.
"I came out here to teach younger Marines something I already know; to help them out in their future," said Cpl. George A. Fralix Jr., an instructor for the BSTS. "If I help to save a life, then I've done my job."
The most popular training consisted of an entire day spent learning about machine guns. The Marines had classes on machine gun employment, as well as individual classes on assembly and disassembly of the M240-B medium machine gun, and Mk-19 and M2 .50-caliber heavy machine guns.
"I never had a chance to really mess around with the [fifty-caliber machine gun] or the Mark-19," said Pfc. Aaron K. Lovelady Jr., an administrative clerk with the MEU and native of Nashville, Tenn. "It was interesting to actually take the weapons apart and learn how they operate."
Paszkiet added knowing how to operate an M2 .50-caliber machine gun is essential for any Marine because there are no defined front-lines in current conflicts and every Marine must be prepared to fight.
As more and more Marines attend BSTS, the school facility is adjusting and growing to support.
"What used to be a leadership reaction course is now turning into to our Basic Urban Skills Training house," said Calfee. "That's a big plus for the students, because now the students can actually kick in doors, go in and practice their room clearing techniques."
A few of the other courses the BSTS offers include the Convoy Leaders Course, Machinegun Assistant Instructors Course and Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
"The school enjoys helping Marines before they go overseas," Calfee explained. "We look forward for the opportunity to train Marines -- that is why we're here."
In September, the 22nd MEU will composite, adding Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment as its Ground Combat Element; Combat Logistics Battalion 22 as its Logistics Combat Element; and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 as the unit's Aviation Combat Element.
Once composited, the Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU will begin their pre-deployment training; a series of progressively more complex exercises designed to train and test the MEU's ability to operate as a cohesive and effective amphibious fighting force.
For more photos of the 22nd MEU's activities, visit the MEU's web site at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.20.2008 13:02 |
| Story ID: | 22695 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 529 |
| Downloads: | 212 |
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