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Enablers Assist Short-Staffed SOI

USMC

Story Identification Number: 2003311105856
Story by Cpl. Ryan J. Skaggs

CAMP GEIGER, N.C.(March 11, 2003) -- A short-staffed School of Infantry began instructor training with reserve Marines here Feb. 17 to shift some of the training package's extra weight off the shoulders of active-duty instructors.

Individual Ready Reserve Marines mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and other contingencies will undergo Combat Refresher Training upon returning to active-duty status. However, the active-duty SOI staff is already tasked with training Marines here who recently completed basic training and are stretched to their limits handling the full workload, according to Gunnery Sgt. Tom A. Gilbert, senior instructor, Infantry Platoon Instructors Course, SOI.

"We are short-staffed of active-duty instructors because of orders for deployment," said Gilbert. "The active-duty instructors will continue training the new Marines, and the IRRs will assist us by training the reserves."

Approximately 35 Marines completed a three-week course March 7 to become SOI instructors. The training covered all the fundamentals of infantry tactics ranging from marksmanship training to nuclear, biological and chemical defense training.

"It's important we build a strong foundation for these Marines to work from," explained Gilbert. "They participated in all the classes they will eventually be teaching."

The Marines are now advancing to a "shadowing program." The program allows the Marines to shadow an active-duty instructor through Marine Combat Training to provide them with additional knowledge to better develop their skills.

"The hands-on experience will allow the Marines to more readily equip themselves when they go solo," said Capt. Stephen R. Horan, operations officer, Mobilization Training Battalion, SOI.

As recently mobilized IRR Marines begin to filter into SOI, the reserve instructors will separate from the "shadowing program" and commence instructions for CRT. The one-week training evolution is designed to refresh the Marines' skills. It is a breakdown course of all the same basic infantry skills the Marines received previously during the 22-day MCT course.

"Most of these activated Marines have been out of the Corps for only a short time," explained Horan. "Although the course is shorter, this training is not being introduced for the first time."

Upon completion, the reserve Marines will advance to a Military Occupational Specialty Refresher Training. This 14-day course allows Marines an opportunity for follow-up training before being re-assigned to their MOS.

"The Marines are motivated about being back (on active-duty) and are doing very well," said Horan. "They are excelling at such a rate that I have no doubts they will complete all tasks assigned to them."