NMCB 5 Complete Complex Field Training
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS070718-05
Release Date: 7/18/2007 11:57:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Palmer Pinckney II, U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. (NNS) -- In temperatures above 100 degrees, more than 40 petty officers from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 participated in field training that pushed their collective physical and mental capacities to backbreaking limits at U.S. Army post Fort Hunter Liggett. The six-day training was completed July 16.
The training, commonly referred to as "Squad Leader Field Exercise," is conducted by the 31st Seabee Readiness Group (SRG) and fulfills two primary objectives. On a battalion level, it is designed to test and sharpen combat skills and prepare Seabees to operate under hostile conditions where the threat of enemy activity is continuous.
NMCB 5, known as "The Professionals," slept in cramped individual tent shelters, lived out of their back packs and ate pre-packaged MREs (Meal Ready-to-Eat). There were no bathing facilities. Relentless high temperatures each day beat down on Seabees dressed in full tactical fighting loads, which included bullet-proof vests, kevlar helmets, gas masks, water canteens and M-16 rifle and ammo pouches. The gear, weighing more than 100 pounds, was worn during the duration of the training.
Days normally started at 4:30 a.m. and often stretched past 11 p.m. Drenched in sweat and covered with dirt, physically exhausted and mentally debilitated these challenged warriors collapsed late each evening only to rise before morning light to learn more.
Teams of Seabees were separated into four squads. They planned and practiced tactical convoys and security patrols during daylight hours and executed tactical patrol missions in the afternoons and evenings. Each squad learned how to navigate by moonlight and terrain features and communicate using hand signals.
"The best part of this training was learning all the tactical skills necessary to operate in hostile situations," said Equipment Operator 1st Class Thomas V. Colesanti, NMCB 5 Air Detachment Right Guide. "I will surely use this new knowledge to train and lead my troops, keeping them safe and developing them into future Navy leaders."
Before each new mission, the 31st SRG instructors shifted leadership of squads and transferred responsibility between the members allowing them the opportunity to fulfill a leadership role. Aside from the day-to-day patrols and convoys, the squads also had the opportunity to practice land navigation, throw live grenades and practice advance weapons handling techniques.
"Working with live grenades was the most exciting part of the training,” said Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Joel D. Leone, Delta Company Adjutant for NMCB 5. “I expected the ordnance to be loud when exploded, but the intensity of the blast caught me by surprise."
According to Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael M. Ramsay, who is assigned to monitor the health of all participants, the Seabees still managed to remain in high spirits throughout the training despite the uncomfortable heat, body aches and pains.
NMCB 5 is currently preparing for a six-month deployment to Okinawa, Japan and other locations throughout Asia.
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