Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | Lance Cpl. Ryan Spaulding, 22, from Portland, Maine, licensing noncommissioned...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Twelve motor transport Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group graduated from a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle operator course here, July 29.
The week long course was designed to teach Marines how to operate and perform basic maintenance on M-ATVs in order to keep these life-saving vehicles on the road and in the fight.
The M-ATV features a V-shaped hull, designed to deflect the blast of a roadside bomb – a proven lifesaver in Afghanistan where the deadliest threat to ground troops is the improvised explosive device.
Before these operators got in the driver’s seat, they received classroom instruction to learn the basics.
“During the course, we provide them with basic knowledge about these vehicles,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan Spaulding, licensing non-commissioned officer, Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st MLG. “We’ll teach them about the components of an M-ATV and show them the general vehicle maintenance, such as how to change tires, checking and changing oil, fuel and coolant. It’s only after they know the basics that we’d take them out on the road.”
After the class, it was time for these trainees to get some hands-on practical application with the M-ATVs. In order to earn their M-ATV licenses, the students must complete the final skills test and record 125 miles of driving experience, explained Spaulding, 22, from Portland, Maine.
“Knowing where everything is and [then] doing it are completely different,” said Spaulding. “We try to cover any situation we could think of so if they run into problems on the road, they would know exactly what to do.
“The road-end skills test gives the students a chance to prove that they’re able to apply their knowledge and operate the M-ATV without any supervision,” added Spaulding. “They must learn to use the brakes and mirrors to get them to their designated zones.”
With numerous classes and more than 125 miles logged on the roads of Camp Pendleton, the graduates are now ready to take their new skills on the road in Afghanistan where unpredictable desert terrain will put their driving prowess to the ultimate test.
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2011 15:08 |
| Story ID: | 74913 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 111 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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