Photo By Cpl. Logan Kyle | From left to right, Pvt. Paul Crangus, Sgt. Voicu Burlacu and Pvt. Andrei Zapototchi,...... read more read more
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BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania — When a simulated enemy tried to escape a Romanian soldier during an exercise for peacekeeping operation training, May 27, that Marine used an arm bar takedown.
The Romanian soldier learned the U.S. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program technique because Romanian forces covered more than 14 hours of MCMAP and nonlethal weapons instruction, in addition to their other training obligations.
Marines of 1st Tank Battalion's scout platoon, which forms the ground combat element of the Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployed as Black Sea Rotational Force, have been training in partnership with Romanian Marines and soldiers for the past two weeks, sharpening a number of skills vital to peacekeeping operations.
"This has been a beautiful experience and something new," said Romanian marine Staff Sgt. Virgil Cojacaru, a squad leader with Amphibious Co., 307th Bn. "We have learned a lot about martial arts, which is good for us because we have a lot of young guys in the company.
"We hope to add this to our training program, because it's a beneficial way for us to become better Marines," he added.
Cpl. Eric Franco, the chief martial arts instructor with scout platoon, said martial arts training was a great way for the Romanians, as well as scout platoon, to hone their nonlethal hand-to-hand combat skills.
"It was also designed to build teamwork and build unit cohesion, which gave them the confidence they needed to accomplish the mission," said Franco, a Wichita Falls, Texas, native. "I was impressed with their discipline, their attitude and their warrior spirit."
For some of the the Marines and Sailors deployed for Black Sea Rotational Force, the martial arts training was also an opportunity to forge leadership skills. Franco, and other noncommissioned officers and junior Marines, were charged with incorporating the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program as a key component of the nonlethal training the Romanian troops received.
"It's a great responsibility, but I believe with great responsibility comes great rewards in the end," Franco said. "The experience of working with foreign nations and building friendships that will last a lifetime are my rewards. I'll remember this for the rest of my life, and this is going to make me a better leader in the long run."
Staff Sgt. Derek Hart, the staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge of scout platoon, H and S Co., 1st Tank Bn., said he believes his Marines are a prime example of what partner nations ca n strive to have in their NCO ranks.
"The Marines are doing a great job, and it has really demonstrated what a strong NCO core can do for a professional fighting organization," said Hart, a Streator, Ill., native. "For nations who want strong NCO development, to come here and look at how our NCOs are empowered is a fantastic demonstration."
Franco attributed his success as the chief martial arts instructor to the drive and work ethic displayed by his fellow Marines.
"If it wasn't for the squad instructors and cadres, none of this would be possible," Franco said. "I give great thanks to them for helping me out through hard times and putting this together."
| Date Taken: | 05.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2010 01:37 |
| Story ID: | 50564 |
| Location: | BABADAG TRAINING AREA, RO |
| Web Views: | 246 |
| Downloads: | 139 |
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