Photo Information

Captain Ericka Johnson, a Legal Service Support Section defense attorney, conducts egress training at the Quantico Reserve Support Unit High Mobility-Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HUMMWV) Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT) Nov. 20 to practice rollover training. The repetitive training exercise duplicates the effort required to exit an inverted vehicle.

Photo by Ida Irby

Quantico Marines conduct egress training

25 Nov 2015 | Ida Irby The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

A group of Marines preparing to deploy into combat zones as individual augments attended training Nov. 20 at the Quantico Reserve Support Unit at Camp Upshur at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

Combat training is available for reservist, active-duty, and government agencies. Marines and sailors travel to RSU for numerous realistic training systems to meet pre-deployment requirements of United States Central Command. Several systems available for vehicle safety are High Mobility-Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle Egress Assistance Trainer and the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected armored vehicle Egress Trainer.

The group was separated into squads to learn step-by-step how to egress an inverted vehicle.

After a team of four was tossed for less than 10 seconds, only one door was unlocked. The squad worked together to located the exit and safety moved their team out of the vehicle. The group used teamwork to pry open a 700-pound door while upside down. The simulation showed how to safely exit an inverted vehicle, which is often the result of an improvised explosive device or rough terrain.

“Marine coming out,” said Maj. Peter Klempay, retention incentives and training for Quantico Reserve Affairs, as he exited during the first rehearsal.

Marines quickly mastered the rollover exercises, while growing faster in each iteration. The team overcame small obstacles, such as clearing a vehicle with an unconscious passenger. Marines also familiarized themselves with exit hardware and safety features in the vehicles.

"During the course we explain how to maintain protective posture, nonverbal communication, and teamwork,” said Sgt. Christopher Scoblic, Quantico Reserve Support Unit combat engineer. “If you practice perfect right now, when you deploy, it will come back to you and you could possibly save a life.”

Training simulators afforded Marines the opportunity to engage in realistic and relevant tactical exercises. Participants reviewed the latest technology used in the field, and discussed both benefits and disadvantages.

“While deployed, rehearse these scenarios with your Marines, so that you all have a plan,” said Scoblic to the group of officers. “When chaotic things happen in the field, your Marines will revert to muscle memory.”