Marines conducted hands-on training during a two-day demolition range in preparation for an upcoming training exercise at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 16, 2018.
Alpha Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, challenged Marines to use what they had available to make expedient charges and show the effect of prefabricated charges on wire obstacles.
Expedient charges are made using objects such as nails and barbed wire to mimic manufactured charges such as claymore mines. During the first training day, platoons used prefabricated Bangalore charges to clear barriers, and on the second day they made their own version of various types of charges using the minimal amount of material at their disposal.
“Each platoon emplaced Bangalores and breached through the obstacles, then they were able to see the effects on the targets,” 1st Lt. Emmett Lydon, said, a platoon commander with 2nd CEB. “It taught them the proper way to emplace charges and the different effects they have on those obstacles.”
Combat engineers embed into infantry platoons to deploy as a forward force and use their skills to clear barriers so infantry Marines can effectively seize an objective. Regularly honing their skills at the range keeps Marines well trained and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
“Rule of demolition is confidence; confidence in what you are doing, and in your Marines,” said Sgt. Kurtis Rush, a squad leader with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion.
Ranges allow senior Marines to pass on knowledge acquired over the years to build the future force and instill the importance of precision and ingenuity for mission accomplishment.
“We show Marines how to make expedient demolitions because you don’t always have what you need,” Sgt. Kurtis Rush said, a squad leader. “It pays to know how to make what you need out of C4, detonation cord, and TNT, with those we can make just about anything.”
Training affords Marines the ability to increase proficiency with their equipment, and build confidence in themselves and within their unit. Marines with 2nd CEB continue to meet Marine Corps training and readiness standards for future training exercises and real-world missions.
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