MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 22, 2007) – -- Two teams with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Foreign Military Training Unit, successfully completed an Operational Readiness Evaluation at Camp Blanding, Fla., Feb. 22 through March 1.
During the seven-day training exercise, the two teams were evaluated on their readiness to deploy to a foreign nation and accomplish Foreign Internal Defense missions.
“This is the most realistic way for the team to test their standard operating procedures and their tactics, techniques and procedures,” explained Capt. William M. Eaton, officer in charge of the exercise control group of the ORE.
FMTU used foreign contractors as role players to add the realism of being in a foreign country. For this exercise, Russian and Arabic contractors were employed to act in leadership roles for two different host nations.
Having the teams interact with the foreign leadership was an invaluable piece of the ORE.
“Dealing with foreign nations’ customs and culture differences is a tough mission to accomplish, but it is essential when training a foreign military,” said Eaton. “That’s why having foreigners acting as role players is priceless to the ORE.”
Throughout the exercise, the Marines were evaluated on how they dealt with different scenarios created by the exercise control group. How the teams established rapport with the host nation, instructed the military on basic Marine Corps tactics, and maintained communication within the host-nation are key aspects the evaluators looked for when assessing the teams.
FMTU Marines complete approximately 190 hours of language training to help overcome the complications of language barriers. Most host-nations also provide interpreters to help with the communication between the teams and host-nation troops.
At the end of the ORE, the exercise control group critiqued each team on various aspects of the training. A detailed critique about both strengths and weaknesses improves the teams and prepares them to help train foreign militaries more thoroughly.
“After completing the ORE, the teams will be better prepared to enter the host nation, quickly establish rapport and begin training the foreign troops in identified skill sets in order to improve the host nation’s ability to fight the Global War on Terrorism,” Eaton concluded.
FMTU now includes 11 operational teams. More teams are forming now and MARSOC is looking for qualified volunteers to help take on the challenge of Marine Corps Special Operations missions.
Active duty Marines and Navy Corpsman interested in joining MARSOC are encouraged to contact the Marine Special Operations School at (910)-450-2720/2721 (DSN 750-2720/2721) or look contact us up online at www.marsoc.usmc.mil.