MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Like a cross between an adult game of leapfrog and a lethal dance, 126 students from The Basic School’s Bravo Co. advanced toward the tree line with weapons drawn at Range 5 aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on March 21, 2014.
The Marine lieutenants completed their first live-fire range where they maneuvered downrange. Of the four field exercises they participate in during the six-month training cycle, this was the culminating event of the second.
“They [the students] blank fired last week and now they get to use the tactics and techniques they learned and integrate them with live fire while seeing the realism behind what they did,” said Capt. Robert Noxon, 2nd Platoon, staff platoon commander. “Today I want to see aggression out of them. More importantly, I want to see them more comfortable at the leadership position with the chaos of live fire, and really embrace what they are doing while using all the training they’ve gained up to this point.”
Focused on squad-level tactics, the exercise gave Marines an opportunity to fire live rounds at responsive targets, which fall when hit.
“It’s been great,” said 1st Lt. Melissa Cooling, squad leader. “All the people in my platoon are great, and it’s really great to be here and learn what it is to be a Marine and learn how to lead Marines.”
According to Maj. Aaron Lenz, Bravo Co. commander, leading Marines can be intimidating which is why the TBS staff seeks to instill confidence in the lieutenants during the their time at TBS.
“They need to stand in front of their platoon and know their stuff ,” said Lenz.
The way they need to establish themselves, as a leader, is knowledge and be confident in their abilities, said Lenz. This field exercise is one of the building blocks toward accomplishing that.
Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil