Meat Tags
The BBC recently did an news story on the use of Meat Tags within the USMC.
It is a grim reminder of the cost of war. But for marines based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, getting a meat tag – a tattooed copy of their vital information inked into their skin – means paying a visit to Jesse Mays before they head off to war.“They’re used to identify a corpse. They’re not for the living.”Jesse Mays is sitting on a stool in what he calls his “operating room” – a small room next to a vault. This building used to be a bank, he says. The heavy round vault door sits open, now filled with filing cabinets and canvases.Lying shirtless on the black leather table next to him is Gunnery Sergeant Mike “Gunny” Greer, one arm raised over his head. Spiked restraints hang from the sides of the table. Jesse laughs and says they are just for fun, “unless you fidget too much.”Jesse Mays has done over 30,000 tattoos in his careerThe Sleeping Dragon Tattoo Parlor is in the small town of Jacksonville, just outside Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base. Inside the Dragon, as Jesse calls it, Bob Marley is both on the stereo and on the walls.
Conquering the Obstacle Course
Recruits from Company E kicked up clouds of dust as they ran in place, getting pumped to take on the depot Obstacle Course for the second time during their training, May 15.
“This is their first O-Course since first phase,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Galvan, senior drill instructor, Platoon 2111, Company E.
This time around they were to run it as a fire team, of four men. Two men move at a time to create a staggered movement, so there is always cover provided. (continue reading…)
Basic Warrior Training
Painful – that was the one word used by recruits to describe their time during the Day Walk Course of Basic Warrior Training Nov. 6.
The day walk is just one portion of Basic Warrior Training, but it keeps recruits heaving for breath and aching in every possible way.
“It was more like the boot camp I was expecting,” said Rct. Justis Beaureguard of 2nd Recruit Training Battalion’s Golf Company, Platoon 2109. “It was painful.”
It all started before the sun was ever up.
Cutting through the woods and traveling in circle after circle, the recruits finally arrived at the Day Walk Course at 6:30 a.m.
“I thought the course would be easier,” said Rct. James Ryan of Golf Company’s Platoon 2109. “But it was hard.”
Before starting, the recruits were given a brief demonstration of the course by the staff (continue reading…)
U.S. Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test Requirements
Background:
The United States Marine Corps requires that all Marines perform a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) once per fiscal year. Each test must have an interval of 6 months (same standards apply for reservists). The PFT ensures that Marines are keeping physically fit and in a state of physical readiness. It consists of pull-ups, crunches and a 3-mile run for males. For females it consists of flexed arm hang, crunches and a 3-mile run.1 October 2008, the Marine Corps introduced the additional pass/fail Combat Fitness Test (CFT) to the fitness requirements. The CFT is designed to measure abilities demanded of Marines in a war zone (continue reading…)
Fear of Heights
With nearly three months of recruit training under their belts, the recruits of Company G have conquered many fears and challenges that they never thought were possible. They have qualified with a rifle, swam in a full combat load and endured grueling physical fitness sessions. With only a couple weeks remaining in boot camp, the recruits are given a task to complete that reaches new levels of fear: the rappel tower.
The day consists of hours of lecture, where recruits learn the proper techniques for rappelling as well as how to create the safety harness that will hold them securely when rappelling. The harness is made using a six-foot rope that is wrapped around the legs and hips and secured by a series of square knots.
Before stepping foot on the tower, recruits are issued the respective safety gear prior to the training evolution. With the assistance of a tactical helmet, gloves, ropes, carabiner and a spotter, recruits make their descent safely to the ground.
“The rappel tower gives these recruits chance to let go of any lasting fears and build their confidence,” Staff Sgt. Nathan Stocking, Platoon 2146, Company G. “At first they seem nervous and shy, but if they just focus on the technique they are taught, they will be fine. Rappel is a simple concept.” (continue reading…)
Poolees Get Marksmanship Training
Blue skies, birds chirping and a cool breeze may be an ideal morning for most people, but add in the smell of gun powder and the crack of a hammer hitting a primer and sending rounds down range is what perks up most Marines.
On recruiting duty, Marines are exempt from attending the rifle range, but for Recruiting Station Milwaukee that does not mean poolees are not offered the opportunity to learn basic Marine Corps marksmanship and gain some familiarity firing the civilian version of the M-16A2 service rifle, the AR-15.
Nine of the 13 recruiting substations with RS Milwaukee each received half a day of marksmanship training, live fire, cover and concealment classes, M240B Medium machine gun familiarization, a partial Initial Strength Test and a Meal Ready to Eat lunch at Stone Bank Sportman’s Club between August 4-7. (continue reading…)
Family values encourage new Marine to improve quality of life
When thinking about a question he has just been asked about his life Pfc. Duy Trinh takes a moment to reflect on the answer and also about how it may sound.
“I was born in Saigon, Vietnam,” said Trinh through broken English. Something in the way he pauses shows in his as eyes, as if the 20 year old goes back to his birthplace and through all his memories that brought him to this exact moment in his life. “My grandparents fled after the Vietnam (conflict), and all my relatives split up after that, some came to the states.”
Born as the only child to a construction worker and a housewife, Trinh dreamed of growing up to be an engineer, but when his parents decided to move to Garden Grove, Calif. in 2004 the young man focused on lear
ning to speak English and finishing school.
“I started (American) high school with only three months left of my freshman year,” said the Bolsa Grande High School alumni “Mr. Bridges was a (English as a Second Language) teacher, he helped me a lot. I liked him because he was an instructor first but was very careful in the way he actually listened to me.”
Trinh learned that his teacher was a former active duty Marine and heeded his advice when it came to learning and has carried the guidance with him ever since.
“He always told me ‘Your books are your weapon, like a rifle to a Marine. Every time you come to school your books are (continue reading…)
Teacher becomes Marine
Former teacher, Pfc. Patrick Collman, Platoon 2109, Company E, had the option to go to Officer Candidate School because he had a bachelor’s degree, but chose to enlist instead, for the challenge. He wanted to start from the bottom and work his way up, as he has demonstrated in virtually every aspect of his life leading to boot camp.
“That way, if you do get into a higher position you know
what the lower positions are going through,” Collman said.
Having grown up in the mountains of Colorado, Collman loved the outdoors, and as a result, became a Boy Scout, then attained the rank of Eagle Scout during his senior year of high school.
But before Collman could lead scouts, he had to start somewhere. Just as Marines start as recruits, Boy Scouts must go through the ranks and start as Cub Scouts. (continue reading…)
United States Marine Guidebook of Essential Subjects
This manual contains information on all the essential subjects and provides a condensed, readily available study aid to supplement more detailed information contained in the Fleet Marine Force Manual, The Guidebook for Marines, and other sources. The primary target audience of this publication is intelligence personnel responsible for the planning and execution of CI operations. (continue reading…)
MCWP 2-6 Counterintelligence
MCWP 2-6 Counterintelligence
MCWP 2-6 Counterintelligence – File 1
This document provides the doctrine and higher order tactics, techniques, and procedures for intelligence operations. MCWP 2-14, Counterintelligence, complements and expands on this information by detailing doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures for the conduct of counterintelligence (CI) operations in support of the Marine airground task force (MAGTF).
NLW Multiservice Procedures for the Tactical Employment of Nonlethal Weapons
NLW Multiservice Procedures for the Tactical Employment of Nonlethal Weapons
NLW Multiservice Procedures for the Tactical Employment of Nonlethal Weapons – File 1
This publication describes multiservice tactics, techniques, and procedures (MTTP) for consideration and use during the tactical employment of nonlethal weapons (NLW) in support of warfighting personnel conducting training and tactical operations.
MCO-1510.32D Individual Training Standards for Recruits
MCO-1510.32D Individual Training Standards for Recruits
MCO-1510.32D Individual Training Standards for Recruits – File 1
This file is an order that provides policies and instructions for the conduct of recruit training. References (a) and (b) apply to all Marines and describe entry-level indoctrination and skills common to all.
MCI 7510B Marine Corps Institute Tactical Fundamentals
MCI 7510B Marine Corps Institute Tactical Fundamentals
This manual provides a general knowledge of offensive and defensive tactics at the infantry battalion level. It includes troop-leading procedures, selective portions of a plan of attack and defense, tactical control measures, principles of war, principles of security and reconnaissance, and communications. (continue reading…)
NAVMC 2691 Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual
NAVMC 2691 Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual
This manual furnishes information and describes procedures for close order drill and military ceremonies within the Marine Corps. It encompasses detailed procedures for all drills and ceremonies executed by troop elements ranging in size from the individual to the regiment. (continue reading…)
FMFRP 0-1B Marine Physical Readiness Training for Combat
FMFRP 0-1B Marine Physical Readiness Training for Combat
This manual is intended for use by all Marines. It provides the information and references necessary to establish and conduct physical conditioning programs to prepare Marines for the physical demands of combat. (continue reading…)
FMFRP 0-13 Marine Combat Water Survival
FMFRP 0-13 Marine Combat Water Survival
This manual provides techniques, procedures, and training standards for Marine water survival. This publication addresses a Marine’s ability to cross water obstacles and perform water rescues. It guides individual Marines and small-unit leaders in the proper techniques and training requirements of combat water survival. The publication addresses topics such as drowning, hypothermia, water rescues, water survival, natural water obstacles, and fording. (continue reading…)
FMFM 8-4 Doctrine for Riverine Operations
FMFM 8-4 Doctrine for Riverine Operations
FMFM 8-4 Doctrine for Riverine Operations – File 1
This manual sets forth doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures to be employed by operating forces of the Marine Corps when conducting, or training for, operations in a riverine environment. Also discussed are the classification of riverine environments, concepts of operation, employment of combat, combat support, combat service support units, and information on usable craft and vehicles.
FMFM 8-2 Counterinsurgency Operations
FMFM 8-2 Counterinsurgency Operations
FMFM 8-2 Counterinsurgency Operations – File 1
This manual presents the doctrine, tactics, and techniques used by Marine Corps landing forces in counterinsurgency operations, including counterguerrilla operations. The manual is written in two parts. Part I provides essential background information concerning the origina and general objectives of counterinsurgency operations as well as the tactics and techniques employed by insurgency forces. Part II sets forth Marine Corps doctrine, tactics, and techniques for counterinsurgency operations, with emphasis on the planning and conduct of internal defense assistance operations by Marine Corps forces.
FMFM 7-32 Raid Operations
FMFM 7-32 Raid Operations
This manual explains doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures (DTTP) for raid operations conducted by Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs). It highlights the advantages, disadvantages, and other critical factors every commander and staff member must consider during planning and execution of a raid operation. (continue reading…)
FMFM 6-7 Scouting and Patrolling for Infantry Units
FMFM 6-7 Scouting and Patrolling for Infantry Units
FMFM 6-7 Scouting and Patrolling for Infantry Units – File 1
This manual provides guidance to the individual Marine and Marine leaders from the fire team to the company level on scouting techniques and effective employment of Marines and Marine infantry units. Although the information is focused on infantry units rather than reconnaissance units, much of the information is applicable to reconnaissance units as well as combat service support and aviation units operating in the MAGTF rear area.