Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego --
One
of the many threats in modern day warfare is improvised explosive devices,
which is why all recruits begin training on how to search and react to an IED in
the early stages of their Marine Corps careers.
Recruits
of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, walked through an IED course in
a combat patrol formation during the Crucible at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, Aug. 25.
“IEDs
are always going to be a threat we have to have a keen eye for,” said Recruit
Antonio R. Childress. “The training we receive during this course is very in-depth
and shows us what to look for in order to indicate possible IEDs.”
They
learned about the explosives as they progressed down a trail known as IED Lane.
This event at the Crucible takes recruits down a path and through a small
market place. Simulated IEDs are placed at various location along the way, including
one filled with talcum powder that can be triggered by remote and trip wires.
Recruits
are required to stay alert and be on the lookout for anything they would
consider suspicious. If they set off an IED, they must evacuate their simulated
causalities and post security.
“We
learn how to spot the IEDs by being aware of our surroundings and having
attention to detail,” said 18-year-old Childress. “If an IED does go off, we
learn how to handle that situation as well by secure the area and take care of
the injured.”
After
recruits have either spotted or set off an IED, an instructor will assemble
them together in a group and reiterate the information they just learned.
The
recruits walked past an abandoned car approximately 200 feet from the beginning
of the course. The instructors walked to see if the IED inside would be
noticed, but it didn’t.
When
the IED detonated, it sent a blast of white smoke. Any recruit near the smoke
was then considered a casualty and the other recruits had 60 seconds to
evacuate them to a safe zone.
At
the end, the field instructors briefed the recruits on how they did, the things
they did right and what to be more aware of next time.
Although
this has the first IED training these recruits received while in the Marine
Corps, they will build on the knowledge in their follow-on training at the
School of Infantry.
“The
knowledge I gained about IEDs today is something I will continue to build on
throughout my career,” said Recruit Brendan W. Mooney. “One day it might all
come back down to my training and attention to detail in order to save my life
or another Marine.”