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3/3 Marines learn to install armor kits on MTVs
Submitted by: MCLB Albany
Story Identification #: 200491395657
Story by Mr. Colie Young
MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga (Sept. 9, 2004) -- Six Marines attached to Headquarters Company, Motor Transportation, Third Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, came here for on-hands protective armor kit installation training before a potential deployment the week of Aug. 31.
Once Maintenance Center Albany began producing armor kits for Marine Corps vehicles in Afghanistan and abroad, it became important for Marines in-country to learn how to install the kits. To help their fellow Marines, MCA has often deployed Marines and civilian-Marines in-country to provide technical assistance to that end. But getting the training at MCA may offer extra benefits.
Motor transport operator, Sgt. Clayton McDonald, of Pittsburgh, Pa., liked what he saw during his three-day visit, and said the armor represents a huge improvement for the Corps' mission.
"The practical application we had installing the armor kits was outstanding," McDonald said.
"Providing this additional armor is a clear indication that the Marine Corps wants to keep us (Marines) alive. I won't say there won't be any casualties if a vehicle gets hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), but the added protection will certainly improve the casualty rate," he added.
During the week of training, the Marines assembled and installed armor kits and undercarriages and learned all they could about the new gunner shields on Humvees and 7-ton trucks.
"This training was what I expected and a little more," said Cpl. Joshua Harrell, a native of Lookout, W.Va.
"The added armor is much better than the old Humvees with canvas doors. Receiving pre-training gives us a chance to install the equipment and enables us to help our fellow Marines, if need be," Harrell added.
According to Chief Warrant Officer-2 Eric Gilmer, armor installation team leader at MCA's Production Management Department, these Marines are being trained for the job he usually deploys from Albany to do.
"If these Marines go to Afghanistan or somewhere else where vehicles need the added armor, they will already be trained to do the job," Gilmer said.
"That is something that I've been doing ever since this project began. And with the way things are picking up around here at the depot, having Marines pre-trained to install armor helps us get more done in other areas here," he added.
Other 3/3 Marines who trained at MCA are Cpls. Octavio Aguilar, Grant Brinda, Cullen Wood and Robert Zill.
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