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31st MEU Marines work toward special operations qualification

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2005633125
Story by Lance Cpl. Travis J. Kaemmerer

CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan -- (June 3, 2005) -- Marines with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, currently serving as the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s battalion landing team, conducted unit training on procedures for military operations in urban terrain May 23-27 as part of the MEU’s workup toward its special operations capable qualification in October.

Each of the MEU’s major elements must successfully complete a variety of pre-determined training exercises in October in order for the MEU to receive its SOC certification. The Special Operations Training Group controls and monitors that certification process in order to ensure the MEU is prepared for combat operations.

“The SOC exercises include helicopter raids, mechanized raids using (amphibious assault vehicles) and boat raids using the rubber Zodiac boats,” said 2nd Lt. Patrick Free, 3rd platoon commander. “The only difference between the raids is just the means of insertion. The (tactics, techniques and procedures) are standard.”

The MOUT training and the MEU’s eventual SOC certification are extremely important because the same procedures are being used extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Staff Sgt. Jeff L. Gregorec, the chief instructor with SOTG’s raids section.

“This whole evolution was all MOUT training,” Gregorec said. “That’s (the focus) in Iraq right now.”

The Marines learned how to clear rooms, different kinds of hallways and staircases. They also learned how to move from tree-covered areas with dense vegetation to desolate urban environments, as well as from one building to another.

Many of Company E’s Marines are new to the Marine Corps and have very little experience in the MOUT environment, Free explained.

“The Marines are real young, and they’ve shown a lot of improvement in a short amount of time,” Free said. “Overall, I’m pleased with the training.”

The evolution showed the inexperienced Marines what they could have done differently and which skills they need to improve upon, according to Pfc. Eric Martinez, an infantryman with Company E.

“We ran through a lot of (standard operating procedures) because we were chosen to be the assault team for our company,” Martinez said. “From that point, we ran through situations such as ambushes, how to clear and search enemy prisoners of war, and clearing rooms. The evolution showed us where our communication broke down, but it also taught us about each other and how we move (as a unit).”

The Marines of Company E were left better prepared for combat situations at the conclusion of the MOUT training, Free explained.