SPMAGTF-SC Marines train to train

Photo By Sgt. Justin Smith | A U.S. Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command talks to role players during a simulated brief at Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation, Virginia, as part of the Marine Advisor Course, April 19, 2018. The Marines went through the course in order to assess their readiness and improve their abilities to train foreign security forces during their upcoming deployment to Central America. The Marine Advisor Course is taught by the Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin M. Smith)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

04.23.2018

Story by Sgt. Booker Thomas 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

Approximately 37 Marines and 7 sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command concluded their Mission Rehearsal Exercise aboard Camp Pendleton, Virginia, April 23.

This exercise was the final part of the Marine Advisor Course, and tested the Marines’ understanding of the skills taught during the course.

Three weeks long, MAC covers an array of skills required to interact with and train service members from a partner nation military force.

“Marine Advisor Course gives Marines a core set of advisor skills and provides them with a foundation to use whenever they get in country,” said Lt. Col. James Kimber, SPMAGTF’s ground combat element officer in charge.

The Marines and sailors attended this course in preparation for SPMAGTF’s upcoming deployment to Central America.

“A big part of the course is basic engagement skills,” said Capt. Rafael E. Benitez, Marine Security Cooperation Group’s logistics officer. “The Marines develop skills that will allow them to establish communication, rapport, and relationships with a foreign partner and based upon mutual trust and respect.”

To test SPAMGTF’s expertise in working alongside partner nation troops, the course’s instructors utilized a force of 70 role players for the Marines and sailors to advise during the Mission Rehearsal Exercise. The instructors oversaw this interaction and provided feedback and critiques to the group.

“We want them to develop experience in planning, developing, executing and assessing training of a foreign security force and the role players are an integral part of that evolution,” said Benitez. “We have biographies developed for each role player that is based upon experiences advisors have faced downrange to mimic some of the dynamics the Marines will encounter.”

To conclude the three-day exercise, Marines, sailors and role players participated in a cultural meal that allowed role players the opportunity to interact with the Marines on a personal level and give them a history of their background.

“We bring food based on the cuisine of the area the Marines will be stationed and share a meal,” said Benitez, “It enhances the Marines’ experience and familiarizes them with the culture of their areas of operation.”

Primed with a new set of skills, SPMAGTF graduated MAC and stands ready to perform their mission’s essential tasks during their deployment to Central America.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2018
• Date Posted: 05.15.2018 10:07
• Story ID: 275652
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US