FORT A.P. HILL, Va. -- Marines with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment successfully located, closed with and destroyed simulated targets during a company attack exercise at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, May 1, 2017.
The live-fire training exercise was conducted to improve combat proficiency and develop strategies as a unit as well as highlight the importance of teamwork and leadership within a platoon.
The Marines were required to patrol through a wooded area and work together to attack simulated targets and seize three objectives.
“Teamwork played a huge role in today’s exercise,” said Lance Cpl. Drake Goodman, a team leader with Golf Co. “Everyone worked as a team no matter what, helping each other get to their objectives.”
They began by dividing into three platoons to patrol into a tree line for cover and concealment before focusing on each individual objective. Marines performed a variety of actions ranging from patrolling through the woods, to engaging distant targets. As the Marines made their approach toward a target, squad leaders ensured their Marines engaged targets efficiently.
When it comes to teamwork, working proficiently with one another can mean the difference between a job well done and failure.
“This is important to me because I get to work with my squad,” said Sgt. John Lord, a squad leader with Golf Co. “It’s good to perform exercises like this to improve on teambuilding.”
Lord said that training foreign military units in the United States Africa Command is the main mission during their deployment.
“When we deploy, we’ll be able to share what we know with other militaries,” said Lord. “Today’s training helped us improve our proficiency so we’ll be able to provide accurate and experienced instruction.”