Marines on Okinawa take to water for small boat raid training

OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.13.2009

Story by Cpl. Paul Zellner 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - They glide across the water as if not touching it. Then reality comes crashing down as a wave strikes and flings the boat into the air, slamming it back into the water with brute force. The Marines aboard don't even flinch. The two on the front are lying down on either side of the Zodiac boat, soaking wet, focused ahead as if calculating the waves. The waves come and go as the coxswain navigates the tiny boat through the choppy seas, a sort of ease about him. The Marines are focused and prepared for their mission, to debark the boat and swim to shore.

Approximately 13 Marines from 7th Communications Battalion and Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, participated in the Coxswain Course at White Beach Naval Facility, Feb. 9-26.

"We're here to maintain a special skill set somewhat unique to the Marine Corps, so we'll be ready to conduct small boat raids," said Sgt. David Stiehler, the III Marine Expeditionary Force chief instructor of the course.

After four weeks of training, the students are trained in safe operations of the boat, basic navigation skills and proper maintenance of the boat and engine.

"The small boat handling takes a lot of skill and is usually the most challenging part for students," Stiehler said. "The hardest part for us as instructors though, is we have to adapt to the training schedule which can change at anytime because of weather."

The weather isn't the only danger during the course. Students also do a night navigation operation, which challenges the Marines to operate the boats under strict light discipline.

Upon completion of the course, Marines receive a secondary military occupation specialty of combat rubber reconnaissance craft coxswain.

"We hope by the end of the course they will have the confidence and ability to operate small craft," Stiehler said. "They should be able to use their skills whenever needed with confidence and without hesitation."

The course takes place two or three times a year and can accommodate approximately 20 students.

• Date Taken: 03.13.2009
• Date Posted: 03.17.2009 02:51
• Story ID: 31205
• Location: OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP