Leaders weigh in to set example - Marine Corps Community Relations

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8 A Marine with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, a Cambodian sailor explains the features of an M4 rifle Feb. 27. Throughout the training, the Marines familiarized Cambodian forces with crew-served weapons, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, small arms training, mine and Improvised Explosive Device detection, combat lifesaving skills and mortar systems. okinawa marine | FeAtuRe | March 11, 2011 Getting familiar with new techniques Cambodian counterparts train with 31st MEU Marines with BLT 2/5, 31st MEU, III MEF, practice MCMAP techniques with Cambodian service members Feb. 27. The 31st MEU visited and participated in bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities. Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch 31st meu More than 150 Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, trained with Royal Cambodian soldiers and sailors in a variety of different military skills in the Kingdom of Cambodia Feb. 27. The training included classes on hand-to-hand fighting, crew-served weapons, small arms, mine and Improvised Explosive Device detection, combat lifesaving skills and mortar systems. “The training is geared toward familiarizing each other with our different techniques,” said Lance Cpl. Marshall C. Kerby, a mortarman with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st MEU, III MEF. “The language barrier is the biggest challenge we had to overcome.” Kerby went on to say that, while it was challenging, it was fun to get to interact with the Cambodian service members and share ideas and experiences. The 31st MEU visited and participated in bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities. “The training the Marines were able to do with the Cambodian forces is extremely important on two levels,” said 1st Lt. Walker Huey, the executive officer for Headquarters and Service Company, BLT 2/5. “The first is this training helps everyone become more proficient as riflemen. The second is it’s important at a strategic level to ensure that we continue to foster and develop cooperation between our two nations. While the Cambodians were learning about U.S. Marine Corps weapons and tactics, the Marines and sailors were learning new things too. “For pretty much all the Marines, this is their first time here,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel B. Linden, a mortar section leader with BLT 2/5. “We are just getting to know each other’s cultures, and this allows us to have a better understanding of what we can each bring to the table in terms of training.” Huey went on to say that “We’ve built upon the foundation laid by earlier bilateral missions. Because of this, Cambodia and the U.S. will continue to foster mutual friendship.” As the training came to a close, the Marines of Company G, BLT 2/5, felt they had accomplished their mission and everyone learned some valuable skills. “Even with the language barrier I think we did really well,” said Kerby. “Everyone seemed to gain something from the experience.”
Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Michael Iams okinawa marine staff Marines and sailors from various units of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, helped strengthen the relationship between the U.S and the Republic of Korea community by volunteering to clean up a local school after a snowstorm left tree branches scattered on the ground in Pohang, ROK, Feb. 25. The Marines and sailors cleaned up the garden of St. Paul Kindergarten by clearing the trees and branches that fell during a snowstorm that blanketed the area with more than two feet of snow last month. The storm was one of the largest in ROK history. “This is a great opportunity to not only help each other, but to also help the community,” said Seaman Scotti Hargrove, a corpsman with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st MAW. The Marines and sailors picked up fallen branches, cut down hanging limbs and piled large logs together to clean the garden and make it a safer place for the children who attend the school. “I really appreciate the Marines (and sailors) coming out and helping clean the school grounds,” said Nam Hyok Im, the community relations officer for Camp Mujuk. okinawa marine | FeAtuRe | March 11, 2011 9 Marines clear grounds of storm debris 1st MAW Marines improve relations in Republic of Korea Pfc. Jonathan Fluellen, a current operations clerk with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, grabs a pile of branches and hauls them to a collection point outside the school gates in Pohang, Republic of Korea, Feb. 25. “The teachers and children appreciated the work they did to make the school safer and cleaner, and enjoyed the opportunity to meet the U.S. service members.” Not only did the school receive assistance from the heavy-lifting by the Marines and sailors, but the service members had the chance to interact with a different community and culture. “It feels good to be able to do something for the community as well as take a break from our day-to-day work,” said Master Sgt. Isaac Hernandez, a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear chief with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st MAW. As the day went on, the school children were released to go home and the Marines and sailors were given a chance to see the faces of those they were helping. When the Marines and sailors finished, the teachers and director of the school came out to thank them personally for cleaning the garden and offered them green tea as well as a ride back to Camp Mujuk on one of the school’s buses. “The director of the school displayed her deepest thanks and appreciation for the Marines coming and helping out,” said Im. “We know how the Marines like to make good relations and a good image with the community by volunteering themselves and their time.” Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing work together to pick up fallen trees and branches in the garden of St. Paul Kindergarten in Pohang, Republic of Korea, Feb. 25. Along with Exercise Key Resolve, Marines and sailors helped strengthen the relationship between the U.S and the Republic of Korea by volunteering to help clean up the community after a snowstorm that blanketed the area with more than two feet of snow last month.
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Leaders weigh in to set example - Marine Corps Community Relations

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