Marines hone infantry tactics in battalion field exercise

Photo By Cpl. Phillip Clark | Sgt. John Chilson (bottom left), a squad leader with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, instructs his Marines how to properly rush toward contact during a training exercise, June 11. The Marines from Company G practiced offensive and defensive infantry techniques aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 5-12, during the exercise to maintain combat readiness.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

06.11.2012

Story by Pfc. Phillip Clark 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Marines from Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, practiced offensive and defensive infantry techniques during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 5-12.

The battalion recently detached from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit after serving as its ground combat element on the MEU’s most recent deployment, and the training exercise gave the Marines a valuable opportunity to refresh their basic infantry skills now that 2/2 is back at Camp Lejeune.

“The training has been very progressive so far,” Capt. Nicholas Vogel, the commanding officer of Company G, said. “We came out here for small unit training and leadership and everything has worked out according to plan.”

The training proved to be a great opportunity for Marines new to the battalion to train for new positions as fire-team leaders and squad leaders as some of the company’s more senior small-unit leaders leave 2/2.

“This training is going to train the junior Marines for the squad leader and fire-team leader positions,” Vogel, said. “Then when the squad evaluation comes in August the senior Marines are refreshed and the new Marines are prepared.”

The week-long training consisted of patrolling, day and night live fires, and defensive and offensive fundamentals to simulate real-life situations encountered in combat.

“There is nothing better than going to the field for training and putting rounds down range,” Lance Cpl. Charles Holloway, a Rockledge, Fla., native said. “Since we just got back from the MEU we have to get all the rust knocked off the Marines and make sure were combat ready.”

The company’s leadership felt that the training was beneficial for the Marines and they were impressed with their ability to quickly learn the intricacies of their new positions.

“The training is running a lot smoother than expected. The Marines came to the field and knew what they had to do,” Vogel, said. “The senior Marines at the squad level instructed the junior Marines on their tasks and supervised to make sure they did them correctly.”

Likewise, the Marines enjoyed the chance to hone their abilities during the training.

“This is why I joined the Marines Corps,” Lance Cpl. Robert Davis, a Richmond Hill, Ga., native said. “It’s always good to have a refresher of our jobs as Marines and that’s what this training has accomplished.”

• Date Taken: 06.11.2012
• Date Posted: 06.14.2012 09:46
• Story ID: 89968
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US