MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Simulated rounds flew down range and made contact with opposing forces as Marines with 1st battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, conducted the Basic Urban Skills Training course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C, Oct. 30, 2015.
The Marines with the unit conducted BUST in order to prepare for their upcoming deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
“When we get deployed our job is mostly going to be [military operations on urban terrain] related,” said Lance Cpl. Craig Lambert, a team leader with 1st Bn., 6th Marines. “This training just adds more tools to our toolbox for when we get deployed.”
During the course, the Marines with the battalion were tasked with various missions ranging from capturing a high-value target to cordoning off improvised explosive devices.
These riflemen started the first week of training in a classroom setting, allowing the Marines to use the “crawl, walk, run” method and following their classroom lectures with simulated raids to complete all of the platoon’s standard operating procedures, according to Lambert.
The BUST course is beneficial in more ways than one; the rifle platoons with the battalion had a chance to breach buildings, patrol, and perform simulated improvised explosive device detections and casualty evacuations.
“The instructors come from many different [military occupational specialties within the Marine Corps],” said 2nd Lt. Christopher Lamping, a platoon commander with the unit. “We came in thinking we had a good understanding of basic urban skills, but every day the Marines were able to learn something new.”
The course gave the Marines the opportunity to build unit cohesion while learning essential skills for their upcoming deployment, according to Lamping.
Once the Marines attach themselves with the MEU, the battalion will become a Battalion Landing Team to serve as the countries’ premiere crisis response force ready to answer the President’s call, ranging from full-scale combat to humanitarian assistance.