22nd MEU conducts life-like embassy reinforcement training

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
Story by Lance Cpl. Ashley Gomez

Date: 07.17.2018
Posted: 07.25.2018 11:05
News ID: 285657

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines and Sailors with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, participated in embassy reinforcement training at the Infantry Immersion Training facility on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to prepare them for an upcoming deployment at sea, July 17 and 18.
The embassy reinforcement training scenario included a simulated situation in a foreign country where an American ambassador requested assistance from the 22nd MEU due to protests at the embassy. Civilian contractors were used as role players acting as American personnel, security guards, villagers and insurgents. To provide Marines and Sailors with highly realistic training, the IIT created a foreign environment with sights, sounds and smells from the simulated country to intensify the experience.
“It was challenging having to deal with civilians while not being able to detain them,” said Cpl. Cal Cushinghurley, a squad leader with BLT 1/2. “The language barrier only makes things harder. They’re throwing things at you and being aggressive, but you have to be disciplined.”
According to Crushinghurley, his Marines experienced a different mission than the standard attacks they’re used to. The goal wasn’t to engage with the enemy but to secure with non-lethal force.
“I think the most important thing they got is a different type of mission setting,” said 1st Lt. Eric Kellogg, platoon commander, BLT 1/2.
For many of the Marines and Sailors, this was their first real-world training scenario where civilians acted as citizens from a foreign country, as opposed to other service members role playing for training. By learning to diligently carry out their duties in these types of situations, they experience various stressors and learn from their mistakes without the real threat of danger.
“I think the Marines got a lot of good, realistic training,” said Kellogg. “The biggest challenges are not the actions they took, but the actions they didn’t take. Most of the training we do is finding, closing (with) and killing the enemy, but this training was more about keeping the facility secured. If nobody is shooting at you directly, you can’t shoot back. It tests their ability to follow the rules of engagement.”