Grunts Train MLG Marines for Combat

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Marine Corps News | Lcpl. Wayne Edmiston | August 03, 2006
MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C. - The Marines of 2nd Marine Logistics Group cover a wide variety of specialties ranging from combat engineers to dentists, but in the ranks of 2nd MLG there is a small group of infantrymen who have stepped outside their units to train logistics Marines on another specialty: combat.

The Marines of the Battle Skills Training School, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, are assigned specifically to get logisticians brushed up on infantry tactics.

At the BSTS the instructors teach three major courses in preparation for deployment: A combined pre-deployment package, a machinegun assistant instructor course and a convoy leadership course.

“Every Marine must go through the combined package before deploying,” said Sgt. Shawn M. Sauerbry, a BSTS instructor and machine gunner with 2nd MLG.

The combined pre-deployment package consists of basic patrolling skills, basic urban skills and machinegun deployment, Sauerbry said.

“We try to get them ready to go to Iraq as much as possible,” said Sauerbry. “We give them as much as we can in the short time we have.”

Many of these Marines are refreshed on skills they haven’t practiced since going through Marine Combat Training immediately following recruit training.

Most of the students grasp on to the material quickly, but some things are a little harder for them to grasp, Sauerbry said.

“One thing they have trouble with is planning and prepping for a patrol,” said Sauerbry. “Small unit leadership is something a lot of the Marines need to go over because most Group Marines’ shops are pretty small.”

When they are at the school only the basics are covered, but its training that can be practiced and advanced upon in many ways.

“When units come out here they only learn the basics,” said Sauerbry. “When they go back to their units they can do refresher courses. If they don’t it’s all perishable knowledge.”

Watching Marines progress is the instructor’s favorite part throughout the periods of instruction.

“Knowing the Marines come out here knowing nothing and then become proficient in infantry tactics is my favorite part, it makes me go home at night knowing I did my job,” said Sgt. Jason Powell, a BSTS instructor and machine gunner with 2nd MLG.

A lot of the Marines’ progression is obvious as they go through the training.

“It’s amazing to see them just starting to learn how to enter a room at the beginning of the week during urban skills and by the end they are clearing a room and doing it well,” said Sauerbry.