B10
T HE C OAST NEWS
JULY 24, 2015
CAMP P ENDLETON NEWS
Advanced Infantry courses hone warfighting skills, shape future By Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez
CAMP PENDLETON — The cadenced crack of machineguns and assault rifle fire echoed through the ravines, punctuated by deafening explosions made by improvised Bangalore torpedoes and shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapons. The Final Field Exercise was an orchestra of firepower, and the students of the Advanced Infantry Courses were the conductors.
The Advanced Infantryman, Machine Gunner, Mortarman, Assaultman and Anti-Tank Missileman courses introduce students to advanced concepts, new technology, techniques tactics and procedures through classroom instruction, lecture, practical application, field training, and live fire exercises. “We give them the necessary tools to lead and more gainfully employ their Marines in the operating forces,” said Staff
Marines with the Advanced Infantryman, Machinegun, Mortarman, Assaultman and Anti-Tank Missileman courses conduct the Final Field Exercise, a live-fire exercise which engages the students’ leadership abilities by allowing them a degree of flexibility in planning and accomplishing a company-wide mission. The courses introduce students to advanced concepts, new technology, techniques tactics and procedures through classroom instruction, lecture, practical application, field training, and live fire exercises. Photo by Cpl. Shaltiel Domingue
Sgt. Cody Waldroup, Chief and Advanced Antitank Instructor for the Ad- Course, Infantry Unit vanced Assaultman Course Leaders Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School 1644 Orange Blossom • $859,000 of Infantry- West. “They Spacious and inviting 4BR, 3.5BA home in the heart of Encinitas! learn and refine advanced One bed and bath on entry level perfect as dual master, home tactics, land navigation, office or muti-generational living. Additional downstairs bonus close air support and weaproom! wood floors in living areas. Newer windows throughout. Granite KIT counters, Updated MBA. Freshly painted exterior. Very ons systems.” “Instead of working by private, large yard with fire pit, patio, and space to garden & play! No HOA or mello roos. EUSD and SDUHSD schools. easy access themselves, the students also learn to integrate with to shopping, restaurants, beaches, 5 fwy and train station. Marines from other infanDiane & Kevin Silberman try military occupational 760-271-3721 • 760-271-3324 specialties at a higher levdisilberman@roadrunner.com • kevslib@gmail.com el,” added Waldroup. www.TheSilbermanTeam.com The course culminates in the Final Field Exercise, a live-fire exercise which engages the students’ leadership abilities by allowing them a degree of flexibility in planning and accomplishing a company-wide mission. “They get to see timing and sequencing across the board, work together with the other MOS’s, cross-communicate and see what everyone can bring to
I don’t have as much experience working with the other MOS’s and it’s been challenging.” Cpl. Richard Bork
CA BRE#01912579 Diane • CA BRE#01304958 Kevin
the table,” said Capt. Brian Hubert, Executive Officer, IULTC, AITB, SOI – West. “It’s a complex exercise.” During the Final Field Exercise, each student had a specific role to play depending on their MOS. Mortarmen commenced the attack by providing indirect fire support, allowing the combined an-
ti-armor team to establish a base of fire and start shelling targets with their 50 caliber and M240B machineguns. This allowed the maneuver element to move into their assault positions. From there, they used demolitions to breach and attack the company objective using small-arms. Coordinating and de-conflicting each unit’s actions was vital to the students’ success due to the complexity of the exercise and the different fire support assets involved. “The students are going from one or two deployments into a leadership role and they need to understand how to use different indirect fire support assets at a company level,” said Hubert. “We emphasize the need to make sure the desired effect on the battlefield is achieved before they proceed with the attack.” The courses last from five to seven weeks depending on the MOS, and train junior Marines and NCOs to become squad or section leaders when they get back to the fleet. “I don’t have as much experience working with the other MOS’s and it’s been challenging,” said Cpl. Richard Bork, an assaultman and section leader participating in the course. “But we’ve been able to build unit cohesion and integrate with each other, which in turn allowed us to overcome challenges in training.” “I believe it has improved my confidence and my ability to lead Marines in the fleet,” added Bork.
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