MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina -- During the light of day and the cover of darkness, Marines with 2nd Platoon, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force conducted close-quarters combat tactics training at range K-501A aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 14-15, 2015.
The platoon conducted various live-fire drills from the standing, kneeling and prone positions that progressed to moving toward targets while engaging. Marines built upon previously developed skills to prepare for a composite qualification course with Expeditionary Operations Training Group as groundwork for the forthcoming 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment.
“We are relatively early on in the training cycle,” said Capt. Tebias Mason, 2nd platoon commander with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company. “We are not scheduled to deploy until next year, so we are primarily working on individual skills and communication. Later in the training package, EOTG will give us our formal training certification in ground reconnaissance and surveillance, marksmanship training, close-quarters combat and other various individual skills.
Marines with the platoon rehearsed the drills before moving to live-fire exercises at ranges from 50 meters to three meters away from the target.
“This exercise exposed the Marines to some of the shooting tactics and techniques that they are going to experience later during the training certification course, as well as once we deploy with the MEU,” Mason said. “Sometimes the force platoons get tasked with the maritime operations, such as visit, board, search and seizure, where the Marines go aboard a ship and search and seize that ship from potential combatants or hostile forces.”
Although the EOTG qualification is not until later this year, the platoon is honing early on individual and small-unit skills.
“As a team leader, I use my experience to show other Marines a quicker and tactically better way to carry out a technique,” said Sgt. Brian Rogan, a team leader with 2nd platoon, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company. “These are basic techniques for us, but it comes down to repetitions and muscle memory. We can always get better.”
“This training builds up to qualifying with EOTG,” Mason said. “The Marines will be ready to go in a live-shoot house or onto a vessel with the confidence that they can shoot, move and communicate successfully in a combat environment.”
Marines with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company will be aiding in maritime and ship-to-shore operations to support II MEF while at sea.