3rd Rad Bn train for basic riflemen tactics and movements

Photo By Sgt. Alex Kouns | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Fernandez, 3rd Radio Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, smiles during an interview held at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Jun. 27, 2018. The training opportunity fortified basic Marine skills and reaffirmed combat training techniques. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alex Kouns)  

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, HI, UNITED STATES

06.27.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Isabelo Tabanguil 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

U.S. Marines with 3rd Radio Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) and patrol training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, June 27, 2018.
The purpose of the training is to re-familiarize the Marines with basic rifleman tactics, movements and how to respond when engaged in combat.
“Concentration itself is what they need to work on the most,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Scott, a special intelligence system administrator with 3rd Rad Bn. “It’s hot, humid, they all have their Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI) and a lot of gear, so they can get tired easily.”
Scott said the Marines need to stay focused and be aware of their surroundings while on patrol.
“Not paying attention is the biggest thing they have to overcome,” Scott said. “A lot of the Marines have never done something like this before so trying to remember all the things they just learned can be very taxing.”
Sgt. Rafael Fernandez, a special intelligence system administrator with the battalion, said communication between the Marines was very successful.
“I think the Marines were very receptive in listening, especially the squad leaders,” Fernandez said. “The squad leaders did well in taking charge of their own squads and reporting to me if necessary. I would even go to my squad leaders if I needed help.”
Fernandez said he believes Marines could benefit from conducting more patrols and MOUT training in the field.
“I think this needs to be refreshed more just so we can get the knowledge and muscle memory of conducting an immediate action,” said Fernandez.
1st Lt. Blake Barkemeyer, a signals intelligence/ground electronic warfare officer with the battalion, said the Marines did very well in setting up an Operations Control and Analysis Center (OCAC) on the first day of training.
“OCAC is the operations center for gathering of intelligence and really it’s where our analysts provide support to not only the outside world, the commanders, and what units their attached to, but also supporting the teams who are out with the smaller units in an Area of Operations, providing that information warfare and force protection for them,” Barkemeyer said.
Barkemeyer said the Marines performed proficiently with all the variables they encountered in the field.
“A lot their job is on a more technical base so I thought it was important to get them involved in some green side stuff,” Barkemeyer said. “We set up a whole scenario, which involved a move into contact and actually having an opposing force for them to deal with. That way they get to see some tactical skills with five paragraph order and terrain models.”
Scott said he’s pleased with how the Marines performed with the challenges they encountered.
“I think it went great with the little knowledge they had,” Scott said. “Everybody here learned and can all take something away from this. We’re not even done yet they’re going to continue learning throughout the day. It’s only half over, so I’m looking forward to a lot more excitement.”

• Date Taken: 06.27.2018
• Date Posted: 06.28.2018 21:41
• Story ID: 282720
• Location: MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, HI, US