OKINAWA, Japan - Marines of 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion are the first on Okinawa to receive training on the mine-resistant ambush protected egress trainer, recently unveiled on the island.
The Marines of 3rd LE Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, used the 11-passenger MET, which rotates 360 degrees and stops at various positions, to learn how to egress from a damaged or rolled-over vehicle. They worked as a team, practicing muscle memory through crew and battle drills. The MET will be used in conjunction with the existing Humvee egress assistance trainer.
“(The exercise) will help Marines understand what to do in the event of a rollover or mishap,” said Bob Ledyard, a training systems liaison to Marine Corps Installations Pacific and III MEF. “The key is repetition. We’re making sure they’re confident that they can survive a rollover and provide assistance to fellow passengers to egress safely.”
The Marine Corps began using the METs in 2009, and the machines were recently made available on Okinawa. The most significant change is the style of vehicle that makes it more relevant to the Marine Corps.
“(The MET) provides the Marines with the capability to train in the actual (MRAP) that is assigned to Marine Corps units,” said Ledyard.
Data provided by the Army Safety Office shows a significant number of injuries sustained from vehicle rollovers and mishaps. By teaching and practicing the procedures to follow in the event of a mishap, Ledyard believes many such injuries can be avoided.
“At the present time the (MET) is not a (training) requirement (for Marines),” said Ledyard. “But with the continued use of these vehicle trainers, it will help reduce injury.”
There are 18 METs at 12 different locations throughout the Marine Corps, which are used by 35,000 Marines a year, according to Ledyard.
“The trainer is available to all units (and branches) on Okinawa,” said Ledyard.
The 3rd LE Bn. Marines can attest to the benefit of training with this device.
“We cannot be properly prepared for mishaps without this trainer,” said 1st Lt. Scott E. Samuelson, a platoon commander with Company B, 3rd LE Bn. “Getting familiar with the vehicle, egressing from it and setting up security gives everyone a chance to get familiar with the basics of (single vehicle) rollovers. We can build on these skills later when training with convoys.”
The training also helps Marines develop a thought process of what to do if they are in a rollover situation in the field.
Marines are taught not to panic and how to assess potential casualties after they egress, according to Cpl. Jason Almodovar, a squad leader with Company B. “I would recommend this training to anyone because most (Marines) will ride or drive in this vehicle at some point in time. They should be trained on what to do if a rollover happens.”
Ledyard believes the training can be applied to almost any situation.
“A rollover can happen at any time,” said Ledyard. “Although this is an MRAP trainer, by applying what is learned from it, the techniques can be applied to any vehicle. It is a problem-solving event once the mishap occurs, regardless of the type of vehicle.”