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113th Light Infantry Battalion ready to train

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 5/23/2003

Story by Capt. Teresa Ovalle

KRTSINISI, Georgia(May, 23, 2003) -- KRTSINISI, Georgia - Over the next 100 days, the men of the 113th Light Infantry Battalion/11th Motorized Rifle Brigade will learn patrol base operations, ambush procedures, urban terrain operations, long-range patrols, platoon level raids, daylight company-level attacks and night defensive operations.

"The special thing about this program is that these men, once trained, will play a major role in ensuring the security and sovereignty of this developing nation," said Capt. Daniel L. Lang, Executive Officer, Georgian Train and Equip Program. "Additionally, they will become our partners in the Global War on Terrorism."

The GTEP program began in May of 2002 with the Special Forces taking the lead in training the Ministry of Defense and the Land Forces Command in military decision- making. They also begin the tactical training phase by training a battalion of commandos. Today the training is led by Marines Forces Europe and Marines will continue to lead through to the end of the program in May 2004.

Task Force Georgia Train and Equip provides a unique training opportunity for U.S. service personnel and all four services are represented. The Marines provide command and control of the program and tactical instruction for the 113th Battalion. The Army provides a Forward Surgical Team and long haul communications. Army personnel also play an important role by providing communication and First Aid classes to the soldiers. The Air Force serves as the contracting party for the GTEP program and is the liaison between the program and Brown and Root Services. The Navy recently became a part of the TF GTEP team by taking over the ever important job of providing mail services to the Task Force.

Before Georgian soldiers step one foot on to a training range, they must first begin their training with "Zero" week. The soldiers take a physical fitness test, are issued their uniforms and weapon and are given a complete eye exam.

Throughout the 14-week training cycle, the three line companies of the battalion and it?s Head Quarters and Service Company work in a round-robin type format. During the first four weeks of training, each company focuses on infantry tactics, land navigation, first aid and fire and movement. The H&S company receives specialized training for each staff section and the supporting platoons.

Weeks five through seven, the soldiers begin work on their marksmanship and move into squad tactical training and patrol operations. They also work on fire team and squad rushes and illuminated night attack scenarios.

Platoon Tactical Training begins in week eight and continues through week ten with formations and immediate action drills, ambushes, patrol base operations and supported attacks in the offense. The platoon also begins work in the defense.

The soldiers begin Military Operations in Urban Terrain in weeks 11 through 13. Offensive and defensive combat tactics, raids and Movement to Contact are also a focus during this period of instruction.

Week 14 is the culmination point of the training for the Georgian soldiers. Each company is required to conduct a challenging daylight live fire supported attack, combining everything the soldiers have learned to this point. Machine guns, AK-47's and RPG's are used in conjunction with other weapons systems to reach the final objective and test the skills of not only the company officers and NCO?s but every Georgian solder.