“Ok gentlemen, I’m willing to bet you will not complete this mission. Prove me wrong,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Frank Buchanan, the communications chief with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division. The words resonated through the air, and as quickly as that was said, the detail of Marines was set in motion. The task set before them was not taken lightly. Their goal was not necessarily to finish the mission in time, but to have it done in less time than it would take the opposing team.
On Oct. 21, the first group of Marines from Headquarters Company communications section, Regimental Combat Team 8, began a competition to establish communications equivalent to setting up a new forward operating base. The second team started on the following Saturday.
The platoon was broken down into two teams, each had a maximum of four hours to complete the seemingly impossible task ahead. Mission accomplishment included the establishment of several radio systems of all spectrums, voice and data, telephone systems, a System Wide Area Network (SWAN) and other various communication necessities.
“Since I’m dedicated to only one system, I broadened my (communication) abilities to the whole field,” said Pfc. Jordan Matthews, a MRC-142C digital wideband transmission system operator with the company. “I’ve been asking a lot of questions and getting a lot of help from my corporals and sergeants. Every one gained a better understanding of each other’s (military occupational specialties).”
The head of either team was a corporal, meaning that Marine would be in charge of higher ranking individuals. The lesson behind the training was the realistic application of their jobs. They had a set time to get their job done, but part of the challenge was executing the task with a new set of leadership that in some cases were junior in rank to them.
“I learned enough about satellite communications to teach another group of Marines how to do the same job I was doing,” said Pfc. Joshua Chaffee, a field radio operator with the company. “We set up three radio systems in two hours. It was pitch-black outside and we were working in flak-jackets and Kevlar (helmets) with no lighting but the humvee headlights and personal flashlights.”
Neither team was able to complete the task in the time given, so it became a contest to see who was the closest to completion.
“They care so much about what they’re doing,” said Buchanan. “It is a pride thing. These kids will not be out done.”
In the end, the decision was tipped in favor of Team One. Although the competition revolved around training, the winning team received a 72-hour liberty period.
“These guys came together in 30 days and have learned this entire set up. This exercise was to have them be able to do it on their own merit,” said Buchanan.
Although the mission was not completed, the objective was achieved. The Marines walked away with a broader understanding of their job and how to accomplish the mission.
“We definitely gained a lot of unity,” said Matthews. “I love competition and we did a good job out there. If we would have done this three months ago, it wouldn’t have gone near as smooth as it did now.”