MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines are known for fighting in every clime and place without any hesitation. Whether it’s by air, on land or in the deep blue sea, Marines are there upon the call of duty. In order to do so, the warriors need their equipment to be operational at any given time. Bulk fuel Marines are in charge of providing fuel to keep this equipment function.
Marines with Bulk Fuel Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a field training operation here from Nov. 1-5, simulating an amphibious tactical fuel farm operating in a combat environment.
“We fuel the fight,” said Master Sgt. Darrick T. Jordan, operational chief with Bulk Fuel Company, 7th ESB, 1st MLG. “It’s important to familiarize our Marines with all aspects of the job and show them how to operate a fuel farm in a combat environment.”
A fuel farm consists of three main elements - receiving, storing and disbursing fuel, said Jordan, 34, from Greensboro, N.C. Marines receive fuel from foreign contractors, and they’ll transfer the fuel to the receiving tanks. From there, fuel will be push to larger tanks in the fuel farm for storage. Fuel runs from here to the pumps where Marines can refuel their equipment.
“Marines only get the basics of the job at [military occupational specialty] school. These training exercises help them build on what they already know and more,” said Sgt. Eric F. Pressman, bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Company, 7th ESB, 1st MLG. “It’s a chance for them to learn more about their job and get their hands dirty on a company level before the battalion field ops.”
With their deployment approaching, Marines try to learn as much as they can about the job, explained Pressman, 25, from Philadelphia. If they’re not out in the field conducting training operations, they’re working with the equipment at the warehouse so they’re constantly training.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the Marines I am working with, they’re eager to learn and willing to ask questions to understand the job,” said Pressman, who also explained how the Marine Corps always has a need for fuel and it’s important for the Marines to be familiar with the proper procedures.
Even though they’re not fighting the war against terrorism directly, bulk fuel Marines contribute a vast amount of support to the fight, said Jordan. They must maintain, circulate and distribute the fuel to the warfighters to keep the equipment operational. Without fuel, generators, vehicles and fuel-dependant equipment wouldn’t function, and Marines wouldn’t be able to accomplish their missions.
“The Marine Corps is a brotherhood, and it’s a large family so it’s hard for you to get to know everyone in the family,” said Pressman. “Everybody needs fuel at some point. And being a bulk fuel specialist, I have the opportunity to meet everyone and build a good rapport around the Corps. It’s one team, one fight and we’re supporting that fight.”