CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group conducted a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 25-30.
The battalion completed the exercise in preparation of their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in late 2012.
In addition to the usual pre-deployment requirements, such as improvised explosive device detection classes and health screenings, the battalion has banded together to conduct extensive field exercises coupled with annual training. Every Marine in the Corps must complete weapons training, swim qualification and continued education per yearly requirements.
CLB-2 has organized a way to include some of those elements in their field exercises.
“The whole purpose of this battalion FEX is for us to ensure that each Marine within the battalion is properly trained, properly prepared and ready to perform in country,” said 1st Sgt. Dawn Adams, first sergeant of Transportation Support Company, CLB-2.
The inclusion of the annual training with the pre-deployment work-ups is an improvement over past exercises, according to some of the Marines involved.
“It’s a much more efficient and realistic way to conduct annual training requirements,” stated 2nd Lt. Andrew Schlottman, a platoon commander with TS Co., CLB-2.
He explained how, in one day, half of the battalion completed a combat marksmanship range and casualty evacuation training, immediately followed by gas chamber training. He said the fast pace was not only realistic compared to a combat environment but also “a way to keep the Marines busy in the field and a way to keep the level of training and the level of engagement high.”
The battalion has been training for the upcoming deployment for the past year. Each exercise builds on itself, becoming more complex, realistic and advanced. The unit spent previous exercises learning fundamentals of convoys and combat operations, mastering the basics of their respective occupations and learning about other jobs within the unit.
“We are wrapping up the fundamentals into more complicated scenarios, more complicated convoys,” Schlottman began. “It’s time for our Marines to move on, move beyond the basics and actually start doing realistic training as if they were in Afghanistan … as if we were 100% ready to deploy today.”
Adams agreed, saying, “The Marines and sailors have been training as they intend on deploying. CLB-2 takes pride in everything they do.”