MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- In order to prepare for their upcoming deployment the Marines from Operational Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, ramped up their training to ensure they are fully prepared to take on the missions and responsibilities they will have during their tour of duty.
This platoon, which was formed only a short while ago, has much to prepare for in the upcoming months. That is why these warriors pushed themselves so hard during a training exercise March 27-28.
The “Darkside Platoon,” a nickname coined by its guide Sgt. Julio Rapalo, is made up of Marines from throughout H&S Company.
“They usually take one of the line platoons from the grunts and form the Operational Platoon,” said Rapalo. “H&S Company rates an Operational Platoon, but with scarce manpower they have to look for bodies in other places.”
Darkside is made up of Marines from motor transport, communications, supply and other units within the company.
It is has been tasked to Rapalo, Cpl. Dobie August, training noncommissioned officer, and their squad leaders to prepare the Marines for some of the hardest situations any person could find themselves in.
During their training exercise, the Marines also conducted a little competition between the squads. There were three events that all ran together.
The first was an unknown distance course of fire shoot. Marines like, Pfc. Erek Sharp, originally a motor transport operator, proved every Marine is indeed a rifleman with 13 out of 20 shots right on target from more than 500 yards out.
“Each of these competitions is also an essential training evolution,” said 1st Lt. Jacob Crespin, platoon commander, Operational Platoon, H&S Company. “We have them go through every step of the mission to ensure they know exactly what they are doing.”
After working on their offensive skills, the “Darkside” rolled out to conduct a convoy exercise, including counter improvised explosive device procedures.
Rapalo and August never took it easy on the Marines, constantly hitting them with surprise attacks in an attempt to keep the training as real as possible.
“These exercises are based off of actual events that we have experienced in Iraq before,” said Rapalo. “In order to prepare the Marines, you have to present the situations to them realistically.”
The Marines travelled down a dirt road with plenty of foliage on either side. In the middle of the road, more than halfway down, was an object that was quite possibly an IED. The Marines conducted their five and 25 searches. In a five-and-25 search, the Marines scan five meters in every direction out to 25 meters. Rapalo was able to catch some Marines napping and detonated the other training IED’s close by.
“They were so focused on the decoy they didn’t even bother to look at the real thing right next to them,” said Lance Cpl. Keith Echelbarger, 1st squad leader. “It’s alright though, they will train until they get it right.”
Once the Marines cleared the road and ran the obstacle course, the Marines moved on to their next task, a building cordon search.
The Marines patrolled to an abandoned barracks where an insurgent was reported to be.
August, who played the role of the insurgent, set booby traps throughout the house.
The Marines followed their procedures and attempted to clear the building. However, August had other plans. The Marines were able to get a few feet into the house before they tripped one of the booby traps.
“This is not a game gents!” yelled Staff Sgt. Ronnie Torres, platoon sergeant, Operational Platoon, during a house-clearing exercise. “I need people on my team who are going to do this right and come back alive.”
The training was intense and the Marines’ performance was not evaluated lightly.
“You need to pay attention to every little detail,” said August. “You mess this up and someone will die.”
Torres, Rapalo and August continued to run the Marines through the house. Every time the Marines thought they had it under control the evaluators would change up the scenario and attempt to catch the Marines off guard.
“It’s a no brainer, we need this training for Iraq,” said Echelbarger. “Things are always training and you are never fully prepared so, you train for the worst.”
Tired, worn down and a little frustrated the Marines from “Darkside” continued to run through the gauntlet of training trials set up by their leaders. Each success and mistake was a lesson learned that might one day save their lives.
“The Marines that have formed this platoon are all stellar,” said Rapalo. “This is the best platoon I have ever had the pleasure of serving with.”