REPUBLIC OF KOREA MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, Pohang, Republic of Korea -- U.S. Marines learned the basics of rock climbing and rappelling during their first day of the three-day Mountain Warfare Training Course at the MWTC Center, Republic of Korea March 18.
The U.S. Marines going through the course are with various units under III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group and are in the Republic of Korea to take part in Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 2014. MEFEX 14 exercises the interoperability and combined capabilities of the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps.
The mountain training gave Marines a unique opportunity to experience war-fighting techniques in a terrain they are not familiar with, according to Lt. Col. William F. Wahle, executive officer for III MHG.
“We’ve got Marines from III MHG out here doing mountain warfare training with the ROK Marines,” said Wahle. “It’s really cool to see the Marines come out here, because a lot of them haven’t experienced this type of training since boot camp. They’re getting to experience training outside of their normal routine.”
The course was designed to be a challenging but enjoyable event where Marines could interact with and learn from ROK Marines.
“This was a chance for us to see what the ROK Marines get to do, which I thought was pretty neat,” said Lance Cpl. Brandon D. Ott, a special intelligence system communicator with 3rd Intelligence Battalion.
The first day’s training events included a two-part rock climbing evolution and rappelling from a 50-foot tower.
“It was an adrenaline rush the whole time!” said Lance Cpl. Erin N. Snider, a field radio operator with 7th Communication Battalion. “I had an issue with the heights, at first, but once I learned to trust my training and my equipment, I knew I would make it.”
The opportunity to train and learn from an allied nation was the motivating factor for some U.S. Marines to come to the Republic of Korea, according to Ott.
“If someone asks you if you want to go to another country on deployment or exercise, volunteer. It’s definitely an experience that you will never forget!” said. Ott.