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An instructor lays out a plan of attack during first responder's training with Marines from General Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 25, 2015. Marines demonstrate core essential tasks and conduct offensive and defensive stability operations throughout ITX.

Photo by Sgt. Tia Nagle

Combat Logistic Battalion 2 conducts first responder's training during ITX 1-16

29 Oct 2015 | Sgt. Tia Nagle The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Marines with General Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 2, took a break from their normal jobs to complete first responder’s training during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 25, 2015. 

“The first responder lane training is really geared towards mobile operations but Marines of any [Military Occupational Specialty], any background, can really benefit from this kind of training,” said Capt. Jessica Ryan, General Support Company Commander, CLB-2. “At any time, an admin Marine could get tagged for a convoy and be expected to know the basics.”

Sergeant Maj. Daniel Wilson, Sergeant Major of CLB-2, was on hand to view the training and took a moment to address the Marines before beginning the course.

“I know you guys don’t have a lot of training on this. You guys have been busting tires and fixing vehicles doing your day job. It’s awesome that you could put that stuff down and come out here and do this [first responder’s training].”

General Support Company is comprised of motor transport mechanics, engineer utility mechanics and basic supply Marines. According to Ryan, this training was more of a critical thinking exercise, geared toward showing the Marines the basics of how to react to an IED attack. 

“Just making a decision and communicating, I think that’s probably the most important thing because what you actually do is going to differ based on the scenario,” said Ryan. “You can’t always make the same decision every single time because that’s not going to fit every situation, but making a decision and acting on it is probably the most important thing.”

During first responder’s training, Marines must render aid to a nearby vehicle following an IED blast. The Marines must respond quickly to save the lives of the simulated casualties. Before rushing in to render life-saving aid, they must apply proper immediate actions to return fire if necessary and clear the IED blast area.

“This training will help them to understand a little bit more about the environment that they could potentially operate in, driving convoys through unknown scenarios and unknown enemy threats,” said Ryan. 

CLB-2 is constantly training during ITX to prepare for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa.