|
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.-- The sound of
mortars echoed through the air as Marines with Fox Company,
2nd Battalion, 4th Marine regiment, maneuvered through the
dry, rocky creek bed. Machine guns rained suppressive fire
down on the opposing hill in an effort to give the riflemen
necessary cover.
For the next three days riflemen,
assault men, machine-gunners and mortar-men practiced
assaulting the enemy in various sized groups, collaborating
with one another. This exercise is intended to familiarize
squad leaders with their units and elements of engagement
while giving them the opportunity to mentor Marines in their
charge.
Mortarmen from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion,
4th Marine Regiment, prepare rounds for their next fire mission
during a squad and fire team maneuver exercise aboard Marine Corps
Base Camp Pendleton, April 2, 2014. The exercise allowed Marines
from the company to re-familiarize themselves with their weapon
systems as well as 60 mm mortars, M240 B machine guns, Light
Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) and while practicing squad and fire team
tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashton Buckingham) |
“Here at range 219 we have been using the crawl, walk, run
style of training,” said Cpl. Nathan Aschenbrenner, squad
leader of 1st platoon. “We utilized fire team attacks to
emphasize small unit leadership. This is the culmination of
that. We are combining all the fire teams together and doing
squad rushes.”
While conducting the attacks,
first-time squad leaders are trying to uphold 2nd Battalion,
4th Marines, nicknamed “The Magnificent Bastards”, long and
proud history.
“There is always that adjustment period when you're the new
guy to the unit,” said Capt. Nathan M. Rollins the
commanding officer of Fox Co. “Marines are Marines, and we
all come from a similar background that makes a communality
between us. However, every unit has it's own culture that
you adjust to and try to live up to.”
With such a
prestigious history, the squad leaders have been ensuring
the junior Marines learn the concepts by using proven
methods. These methods include going over the information as
a group and organizing run-throughs and rehearsals of the
concepts. Also, practical application where Marines put what
they learned to use in live-fire exercises, explained Cpl.
Alfred Johnson II, the machine gun section leader.
“My machine gunners have really understood and have been
taking a closer note at what the infantrymen do on the
ground,” said Johnson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. “It has
really come to play when supporting them.”
There has
definitely been some growing pains, but through rehearsals
and multiple run-throughs it has really come together, said
Aschenbrenner, a native of Edmon, Okla. These basic concepts
are a key part of every infantryman
“Ultimately I'm
looking to train these Marines better then I was trained,”
said Aschenbrenner. “The bar is definitely set high because
I had some great leadership but I think they can do it,”
Every Marine is a rifleman, and leading from the front
are some of the simple concepts that make the Marine Corps
world renowned for their war fighting ability. Through their
intentional and strategic training, 2nd Bn., 4th Marines are
bringing these concepts to life for their Marines.
More photos available below
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ashton Buckingham
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
Comment on this article
|
