CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Combat Logistics Regiment 17 recently took on the task of heading a platoon dedicated to helping Marines transition from their military occupational schools to the operational Marine forces.
The Inbound Platoon Program is a mission essential initiative that guides Marines through the new-join process to ensure a smooth and successful transition to their respective battalion or company providing new Marines a solid foundation.
“The inbound platoon is basically a [transition room],” said 1st Lt. Robert Fox, officer in charge, Inbound Plt., Service Company, CLR-17. “We are taking all Marines that are coming into the unit, keeping them for five days and putting them through a series of training events and personalized counseling. We inventory [physical fitness tests] and [combat fitness tests] so that once they get to their unit, not only do they feel they are a part of CLR-17, but they don’t go through the typical check-in process where you spend two weeks trying to check in and never getting fully checked in. We welcome them in, tell them a little about the unit, get them used to what we do around here and set them up for success.”
As part of the Marine Corps Sponsorship Program, the Commandant of the Marine Corps encouraged this platoon to ensure Marines are properly received, protected and in-line with the unit’s expectations to make a more productive Marine Corps.
“Marines going through this program can stand that much taller when they show up to their unit because they know where everything is and are ready to work,” said Sgt. Shawn Cavanaugh, platoon sergeant, Inbound Plt., Service Co., CLR-17, of Philadelphia. Arriving to a new unit can be nerve-racking for new Marines and this program is helping to eliminate that.
The platoon is currently made up of eight Marines. These Marines play an important role in preparing and training Marines going through a permanent change of station, permanent change of assignment or coming directly from their respective schools, providing support for processes such as travel claims, meal card registration, endorsing orders, urinalysis processing, issuing of combat gear and all annual training.
Marines here are reaching out to each inbound Marine 60 days prior to their arrival to gather key information. Once the Marine arrives in California, they also provide transportation to the base to ensure each Marine arrives to their appropriate command safely and on time.
The program depends on the feedback of the companies and battalions involved so Marines with the program know they are meeting the unit’s expectations of better serving incoming Marines. With the feedback, the program can be adjusted to better serve the Marines and their commands.
“We are trying to make this as valuable as we can to the receiving unit and to the Marines themselves,” added Fox, native of Lake Jackson, Texas. “It’s not just a matter of pushing the Marines through something that feels like [Back In The Saddle] training. It should feel like a personalized process where they take care of everything they need to take care of.”