Iraqi Freedom vets teach younger Marines

Marine Link thru DoD ^ | Nov. 21, 2003 | Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Iraqi Freedom vets teach younger Marines
Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune
Story Identification Number: 2003112194839
Story by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes



CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.(Nov. 21, 2003) -- A tradition in the armed services for war veterans to pass on the knowledge they gained to the newer generation of warriors, so they can go into combat ready to face the enemy. This tradition doesn't just apply to shooting and squad movements, though.

"In Iraq, it was our job to set up the command operations center tent," said Cpl. James K. Renner. A vehicle commander for 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Renner quickly realized the seriousness of what he once considered a menial job. It didn't involve shooting or blowing things up, but still had a role for the mission's accomplishment.

"The Marines in the front of the column were relying on us for everything from air strikes and medevacs, to sending them supplies," he said.

Marines like Renner returned home with a wealth of knowledge on how to accomplish their jobs in the field.

"When I deployed to OIF, I had been in the fleet Marine Corps for three weeks. I had very little experience with the gear we were using," said Lance Cpl. Leon J. Alvarado, a driver with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd LAR. "I learned from the Marines who had trained setting up the equipment. They taught me the quickest way to get the COC up and running so we could do our jobs."

According to Renner, the record time for setting up the COC in Iraq was 20 minutes. In training, he said the average time was 35-40 minutes.

"You really move faster when you know Marines' lives could be on the line," said Renner. The Decatur, Ill., native, continued, "You find ways to do things faster, to cut unnecessary corners to get the job done."

Renner, Alvarado, and other veterans passed on this knowledge gained in Iraq during a three-day exercise that took place Nov. 17-20.

"Normally, we'd practice setting up the tent every Wednesday. We got to be pretty good at it, but when you add in factors like weather and dust, you have to learn new ways to get old things done," said Renner.

Newer 2nd LAR Marines will benefit from the knowledge the veterans bring, but not only in setting up a tent and communication equipment.

"It isn't just about setting up camp. It's how to live, how to get the job done under adverse conditions. As a noncommissioned officer, with even a little experience, it's our job to pass it on the younger Marines," Renner said.

 

Sergeant Matthew V. Dover (left), a communications technician and native of Columbus, Ohio, explains the setup of the command operations center to Lance Cpl. Joseph L. Todd, a gunner who hails from Homer, Alaska. Both of the Marines are assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. With combat experience gained in Iraq, Dover understands the importance of setting up the tent quickly and correctly and ensures his junior Marines are proficient in completing a variety of tasks in support of Marines on the front lines. Photo by: Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

[MEG33]

God bless them.I am thankful for their service.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

A tradition in the armed services for war veterans to pass on the knowledge they gained to the newer generation of warriors, so they can go into combat ready to face the enemy. This tradition doesn't just apply to shooting and squad movements...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God Bless those who serve our country

* * * Past, present and future!  * * *

[Defender2]

Thanks for the post, Ragtime Cowgirl!!!!

[FreedomPoster]

Infantry list ping.

[blackie]

Iraqi Freedom vets teach younger Marines ~ Bump!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The Marines value there veterans, unlike some services, and see them as a valuable resource.

We have Freepers with extensive combat experience, and we have Freepers deployed seeking solutions to problems already solved by previous generations of fighting men on other battlefields. We need to figure out a way to use this forum to link up the knowledge-seekers with the guys who paid for that knowledge.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[Ed Straker]

Here's a sorta related story:

http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/Feet.htm

[Gunner Mike]

"A tradition in the armed services for war veterans to pass on the knowledge they gained to the newer generation of warriors, so they can go into combat ready to face the enemy. This tradition doesn't just apply to shooting and squad movements, though."

As a USMC(Ret) CWO4 I can definitely relate to the older warriors teaching the young warriors how to stay alive. We referred to it as, "When a warrior is too old to hunt the buffalo he should instruct the young warriors how to read buffalo dung."

After 11 Sep 01 I went online to HQMC and filled out the necessary information for recall as the needs of the Corps required; no answer as yet.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Marines are notoriously slow in getting their COC up.

[MudPuppy]

ooh-Rah.
My husband is a CWO5 retired (5702, NBC). He still supports the Corps but as a govt contractor now. I think he was about #10 on the recall list.
Since he did GW1, he didn't feel like he missed too much. That was before we were married so I'm lucky to have missed the stress of having a loved one gone.
I pray for the troops and their families daily.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[archy]

Marines are notoriously slow in getting their COC up.

Well, that's understandable. After all, it's a tents situation.

-archy-/-

[archy]

Infantry list ping.

I'd reckon.

-archy-/-

[archy]

Another tents situation for you here; this one from the Israelis. And there was a recent story about the custom TOC shelter that the new Stryker brigade is using; I'll try to track that one down and link it, too.

-archy-/-

[FreedomPoster]

Here you go:

WITH THE STRYKERS IN KUWAIT: Brigade proves a prudent shopper while tent hunting

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, archy.

Air conditioned trailers for the IDF, good for them. Too tents in Israel, indefinitely.

Sleeping in trees ~ wild dogs and boars? Basic training? Semper Paratus. Ty.

[SJSAMPLE]

But the other services teach "their" troops to spell "their" correctly. If you're going to accetuate a work, spelling it correctly helps.

Now, please provide evidence of other services NOT valuing their veterans.

[oh8eleven]

Marines taking care of Marines. Semper Fi...