Soldiers Provide Combat Skills Training for Sailors Headed to War Zones

[CFHSNJROTC]

Soldiers Provide Combat Skills Training for Sailors Headed to War Zones
Story Number: NNS060414-18
Release Date: 4/15/2006 3:00:00 PM


By Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) John Osborne, Naval Personnel Development Command Public Affairs
FORT JACKSON, S.C. (NNS) -- Sailors heading to assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa are getting the combat skills training they need from Soldiers in a unique joint training initiative taking place at Fort Jackson, S.C.

This training is for Sailors ranging in rank from E-3 to O-6 who have received Individual Augmentee (IA) orders to support the U.S. Army in combat zones around the world. Prior to going overseas, all Navy IAs participate in a two-week training course required by the in-theater Coalition Forces Land Component at McCrady Training Site, part of Fort Jackson, S.C., for combat survival skills training in convoy operations, forward operating base force protection, security procedures and urban combat operations.

"The Navy approached the Army to provide this theater-specific individual readiness training for Sailors being sent into combat zones," said Army Lt. Col. Douglas Snyder, commander of Task Force Marshall (TFM), which designed and executes the training program. "Sailors are not used to this type of operation, and we hope this training prepares them for what may await them when they get into theater.”

Upon arrival for training, IAs are immediately immersed in the Army atmosphere. Desert camouflage uniforms are issued along with body armor, Kevlar helmet and small arms weaponry. It is a vastly different ensemble from what they received as recruits when they entered the Navy, but this is also vastly different training than Sailors are used to encountering. Nevertheless, according to Cmdr. Eduardo Martinez, officer in charge, Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training Course, the Sailors are responding well.

“This is like no other school in the entire Navy,” said Martinez, who added that he is thankful for the opportunity to enable Sailors to contribute to front-line positions in the war. “Each day is used to maximize the potential of the individual and honing skills that will make them productive in a combat environment. The Sailors welcome the opportunity to relieve their predecessors on time and excel in the mission.”

A significant challenge for most Sailors is becoming familiar, comfortable and proficient with the various weapons they will use in theater. This familiarization program, called weapons immersion, runs for several days and emphasizes basic weapons concepts, proper shooting techniques and safety principles.

Sailors “live” with their weapons, either the M-16A2 or the 9mm pistol. They also receive familiarization training on hand grenades, the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), M240B machine gun, M19 grenade launcher and the fixed-position M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

“I got a lot out of it and more than I ever thought I would,” former IA student, Personnel Specialist 2nd Cass Annaiza Chandler said of the weapons training. “It was an excellent experience. We were well taught, and I feel confident with it.”

The mentoring and instructor responsibilities for the IA program fall on Army drill sergeants, many of whom have already done one or more tours of duty in the war on terrorism. Their primary job in regard to the Sailors is to put them in the mindset of a Soldier, so in addition to providing weapons training, the drill instructors push the Sailors to organize and operate as teams in patrol techniques, communications, land navigation, first aid, medical evacuation and urban assault scenarios.

“The Navy wanted their personnel to experience more realistic and intense training before being deployed, including more convoy and operational scenarios,” Snyder said. "We are evolving the course on the run because we know there is an urgent need for these Sailors, but we want them trained properly and as thoroughly as we can within the time frame we have been given. This is a several-week program compressed into two weeks."

Martinez said that the Army instructors have done an excellent job of establishing a great working relationship with the Sailors and imparting their knowledge gained through experience.

“I have listened to the students and heard the drill instructors conduct the training and the connectivity, and interaction could not be higher,” he said. “The secret is that the student cannot come in with a negative attitude. They must be open to receiving training from the instructors, some of whom impart considerable knowledge due to their in theater experience.”

The initial reaction to the training and its pace from Sailors has been positive. Former student, Capt. Chris Bott, senior officer to go through the training, said he was impressed with the program.

“This is some of the best training I've received in the military to prepare us for the worse case," he said.

For more information on the Individual Augmentation program, click the following link to the IA Community of Practice: https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/page?paf_communityId=co40220014 and log on to Navy Knowledge Online.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.



060405-N-4097B-023 Fort Jackson, S.C. (April 5, 2006) - Sailors are in the dirt with their M-16A1 by their side during the Navy's Individual Augmentee Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. The fast paced, two-week course is physically demanding, and taught by Army drill sergeants. The course is designed to provide Sailors basic combat skills training prior to being deployed as individual augmentees, mostly to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR). U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Jackey Bratt (RELEASED)

http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=33534

[USMC Chuter]

Not bad. Could be better though. I think that anyone preparing to deploy in anything close to a ground combat capacity needs to undergo MUCH MORE than two weeks of familiarization training.