MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, conducted squad training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 19, 2015, to evaluate squad leaders and their ability to conduct an unsupported attack.
The training helps the squad leaders improve communication between each other and tests their ability to maneuver the teams.
“We conducted a live squad attack on Range Lima 5,” said Cpl. Ryan M. Albanese, a rifleman with the battalion. “We are patrolling through the woods, up to a tree line at the assault position. From the assault position we are creating a support by fire position and maneuvering two other teams using fire and movement.”
Training small unit leadership in situations found in combat emphasizes the importance of using micro-terrain, such as small hills, to help advance units in reaching their objective undetected and using rates of fire to provide cover and to repel enemy forces.
“The training is going really well,” said 1st Lt. Thomas McNamara, the platoon commander for Company E, 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines. “The good thing about coming out here and actually doing this for real is that we can identify the things that we aren’t as good at and things that we are better at. That way we have a better idea of what we need to focus on in the future and for the rest of the day.”
The Marines were satisfied with what they saw from their squads and were confident they would improve themselves.
“I have a lot of confidence in the squad,” said Albanese. “(The squad training) really allows you to conserve ammo, so if a counter attack does occur, you could still repel the enemy. It allows the team leader and the squad leaders to have excellent communication, to maneuver teams, to disperse, and have more practice on patrolling. Its good training to prepare us for deployment.”