Marines Graduate Inaugural Corporal’s Course

ARABIAN SEA - U.S. Marines from 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) graduated from the inaugural Corporal’s Course aboard USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 12.

While at sea, the course enabled corporals to study the spiritual, mental and physical demands that noncommissioned officers (NCO) face as small unit leaders. The Marine corporal’s role is to carry out the orders of the leaders appointed over them while maintaining cohesion within the unit. This can make the corporal a positive influential leader to their senior and junior personnel.

“We want to empower these Marines, they’re the future leaders who are going to fill our shoes and we want to make sure we set them up for success,” said 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Smith, the Corporal’s Course director and company 1st Sgt. of Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th MEU. “They could be the most motivated leaders in the world but if they don’t have knowledge, we’re setting them up for failure. These Marines are at the basic rung of leadership, corporals, the first NCO rank. This is why I believe the Corporal’s Course is very important, just as, if not more important than the Sergeant’s Course, Career Course and Advanced Course.”

For two weeks, 21 corporals learned how to counsel junior Marines, create after action-reports, conduct sword manual, or ceremonial sword handling, and to lead Marines, from the battlefield to the garrison environment back home.

“It taught us what every NCO needs to know,” said Cpl. Jorden D. Mathieu, a fire support man with Air Naval Gun Fire Liaison Company Detachment, Command Element, 13th MEU. “It doesn’t matter what your MOS [Military Occupational Speciality] is, just like every Marine is a rifleman, Marines need to know how to lead patrols. We’re responsible for the lives and well-being of junior Marines.”

Four sergeants supervised four squads as faculty advisors, providing insight and guidance to Marines in the course. The sergeants’ experience and professionalism provided the students not only a glimpse of future responsibilities but also what the Marine Corps will expect of them as they serve.

“As a faculty advisor I mentor six other Corporals under my charge, give them guidance, pass the word, instruct them on the tricks of the trade and teach them to be better leaders in their off time,” said Sgt. Joshua Williams, a squad leader with 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, BLT 1/1, 13th MEU.

This course marks a time in the Marines’ career where they receive a new set of tools to lead themselves and others. Just as tools only fulfill their purpose being used, these corporals will use their gained knowledge and understanding to forge a future for the Corps.

“How many jobs in the civilian world do you see 20 year-olds leading other guys their age and being responsible for their lives and success?” said Mathieu. “This course shows us how to be successful leaders who can confidently take charge of what is asked of us.”

The next class convenes in May when more corporals will study and develop their leadership capabilities aboard Green Bay. As more corporals attend the course, the highly capable, mission ready, noncommissioned officers will help strengthen 13th MEU as it operates at the tip of the spear.

13th MEU is deployed with Boxer Amphibious Ready Group for theater security cooperation, maritime security operations and serves as the USCENTCOM theater reserve force.
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13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Brings Counter-Piracy Capability

By: Marine Cpl. Christopher O'Quin

GULF OF ADEN - In the early 1800's, during the First Barbary War, 1st Lt. Presley O'Bannon took a contingent of U.S. Marines and mercenaries to fight pirates who killed Sailors and captured merchant vessels near the shores of Tripoli, earning a place in Marine Corps lore. Now more than 200 years later, the threat of piracy has resurfaced in the Gulf of Aden, threatening the free and safe use of the shipping lanes sailed by mariners. Over the past few years, Marines and Sailors have been working to counter the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. In 2009, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)/Boxer Amphibious Ready Group supported the rescue of Richard Phillips, captain of the merchant vessel Maersk Alabama, who was taken hostage by four pirates. A year later, the 15th MEU/Peleliu ARG recaptured the merchant vessel, Magellan Star, from nine pirates and rescued its 11 crewmembers. Now in 2011, 13th MEU has returned to the region to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts with a Maritime Raid Force (MRF). The MRF is a team of Marines and Sailors trained to conduct maritime interdiction operations including visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) and Gas and Oil Platform (GOPLAT) seizures. Marines and Sailors within the MRF have diverse skill sets and occupations that enhance and strengthen its capabilities. This diverse team trained for many months before 13th MEU left San Diego harbor. Some MRF elements began independent training as early as July 2010, consisting of close quarters marksmanship, dynamic entry (breaching), and urban sniper marksmanship. In September, I Marine Expeditionary Force Special Operations Training Group evaluated 13th MEU MRF as they completed exercises onboard Camp Pendleton. This provided the units within the MRF an opportunity to develop working relationships and operating procedures. Realistic Urban Training at Port Hueneme and Point Mugu in Ventura County, Calif., incorporated MEU aviation assets as the MRF worked toward conducting full-mission-profile VBSS and GOPLAT operations. The MRF continued to train together during four successive MEU at-sea periods, conducting additional VBSS, GOPLAT, and precision raid profiles leading up to deployment in mid-February. "We built this capability at the request of Geographic Combatant Commanders," said Lt. Col. Vincent Lumalcuri, commanding officer of MRF and executive officer of 13th MEU. "This was a request that came out back in 2009. They wanted a level four VBSS capability out of the MEU's who deployed as theater CENTCOM reserve. The Navy and Marine Corps put together the concept to restart a MRF capability with MEU's. During their deployment the MRF constantly trains and readies themselves for the moment they need to take action against threats. "Every week we train with close quarters combat marksmanship, room clearing and we are often studying in the classroom," said Lance Cpl. Adam A. Duerschmidt, a rifleman with the MRF. "We have to constantly train. It's one thing to clear buildings with only a few rooms but it's something entirely different clearing a massive structure where you can't see beyond 30 meters. We are always in a state of alert, ready to respond at short notice so we can hit quick and hard." 13th MEU is deployed with Boxer Amphibious Ready Group for theater security cooperation, maritime security operations and serves as the USCENTCOMtheater reserve force.

110411-M-XU108-067 GULF OF ADEN (April 11, 2011) U.S.Marines from the Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), load a simulated casualty into the port-side-port of USS Green Bay (LPD 20) during sustainment training April 11. 13th MEU is deployed with Boxer Amphibious Ready as the USCENTCOM theater reserve force and in support of maritime security operations and theater support cooperation efforts in the 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

110411-M-XU108-061 GULF OF ADEN (April 11, 2011) U.S.Marines from the Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), load a simulated casualty into the port-side-port of USS Green Bay (LPD 20) during sustainment training April 11. 13th MEU is deployed with Boxer Amphibious Ready Group as the USCENTCOM theater reserve force and in support of maritime security operations and theater support cooperation efforts in the 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

110411-M-XU108-028 GULF OF ADEN April 11, 2011) U.S. Marines from the Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), transfer Marines between Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats during sustainment training April 11. 13th MEU is deployed with Boxer Amphibious Ready Group as the USCENTCOM theater reserve force and in support of maritime security operations and theater support cooperation efforts in the 5th fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

13th Marine Receives Meritorious Promotion

GULF OF ADEN – A U.S. Marine corporal with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard amphibious transport dock, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) received a meritorious promotion to the rank of sergeant. Green Bay is on their routine deployment ready to accomplish missions, varying from humanitarian assistance to counter-piracy operations. Sgt. Christopher B. Harris, a Huntsville Ala. native, deployed with 13th MEU in February. In 2008, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and has been meritoriously promoted twice, first to private first class, and recently to sergeant. Harris competed against corporals throughout I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), taking the top spot. A MEF is comprised of several units having more than 60,000 total personnel, making it one of the largest combined arms groups in the Marine Corps; 13th MEU is one of those units. “Winning the I MEF meritorious sergeant promotion board was very humbling,” Harris said. “I have to constantly prove that I deserve this rank and that I can lead. Being in the Marine Corps is about being a leader, being responsible for others.” Harris is a member of 13th MEU’s Maritime Raid Force (MRF), a small and diverse team of Marines and Sailors trained in a variety of missions, such as visit, board, search, and seizure operations, reconnaissance and surveillance, and direct-action assaults. “My primary job is to help clear enemy threats from ships or maritime infrastructure and then help gather information to support the mission,” said Harris. “From the time the warning order gets dropped to the time when there’s boots on the deck, there’s really no room for error in that type of mission. You could have civilians onboard with armed pirates, so you need to make quick decisions and be tactically sound.” His work with the MRF has not only impacted himself, but others around him. “He’s a mentally tough and mature Marine, very intelligent,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua A. Skelton, radio reconnaissance team leader, MRF, 13th MEU who has worked with Harris for a year. “When I nominated him for the board, he stood out because of his natural leadership abilities and his drive to improve himself.” Some of the things he misses the most from back home include drinking sweet tea and some of his old favorite hangouts. “I miss my friends back home and I miss my family,” said Harris. “I miss the pace of life back home, that feeling of being home. You take it for granted that you can see your family whenever you want to when you’re around them all the time.” He’s considering applying for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and pursuing his future military career as an officer. He is also considering working in the special operations community. “Right now I’m considering my options,” said Harris. “The military has challenged me for the better.”

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13th MEU Maritime Raid Force “gets the lead out”

110406-M-OH054-190 ARABIAN SEA (April 6, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct weapons training on the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 6. 13th MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110406-M-OH054-015 ARABIAN SEA (April 6, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), secure new paper sheets onto targets during weapons training on the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 6. 13th MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110406-M-OH054-033 ARABIAN SEA (April 6, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct weapons training on the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 6. 13th MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110406-M-OH054-073 ARABIAN SEA (April 6, 2011) A U.S. Marine from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), loads 5.56mm ammunition into a magazine before beginning weapons training on the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 6. 13th MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110406-M-OH054-136 ARABIAN SEA (April 6, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepare to conduct aweapons training on the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 6. 13th MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110408-M-XU108-041 GULF OF ADEN (April 8, 2011) A CH-46E “Sea Knight” with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), returns to USS Green Bay (LPD 20) after conducting flight operations April 8. 13th MEU is deployed as the theater reserve force in the Central Command area of operations with Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

MRF fast ropes at night

110409-M-XU108-112 ARABIAN SEA (April 9, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct night fast-rope training onto the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 9, from a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced) CH-46E “Sea Knight.” 13th MEU is deployed as the theater reserve force in Central Command area of responsibility as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

110409-M-XU108-119 ARABIAN SEA (April 9, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct night fast-rope training onto the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 9, from a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced) CH-46E “Sea Knight.” 13th MEU is deployed as the theater reserve force in Central Command area of responsibility as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine

Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

110409-M-OH054-237 ARABIAN SEA (April 9, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct night fast-rope training onto the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 9, from a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced) CH-46E “Sea Knight.” 13th MEU is deployed as the theater reserve force in Central Command area of responsibility as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110409-M-OH054-278 ARABIAN SEA (April 9, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct night fast-rope training onto the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 9, from a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced) CH-46E “Sea Knight.” 13th MEU is deployed as the theater reserve force in Central Command area of responsibility as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110409-M-OH054-353 ARABIAN SEA (April 9, 2011) U.S. Marines from Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct night fast-rope training onto the deck of USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 9, from a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced) CH-46E “Sea Knight.” 13th MEU is deployed as the theater reserve force in Central Command area of responsibility as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

Hueys take flight

110408-M-XU108-034 GULF OF ADEN (April 8, 2011) A UH-1N Huey with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, returns USS Green Bay (LPD 20) after conducting Maritime Raid Force sustainment training, April 8. 13th MEU is deployed as the ready reserve force in the Central Command area of operations with Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

110408-M-XU108-001 GULF OF ADEN (April 8, 2011) Two UH-1N Hueys with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), returns to USS Green Bay (LPD 20) after conducting Maritime Raid Force sustainment training, April 8. 13th MEU is deployed as the ready reserve force in the Central Command area of operations with Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

13th MEU Quarterly Awards

13th MEU Maritime Raid Force trains aboard USNS Alan Shepard

110330-M-OH054-326 ARABIAN SEA (March 30, 2011) A Marine with the Maritime Raid Force (MRF), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stands watch on the flight deck of USNS Alan Shephard during visit, board, search, and seizure training, March 30. The MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110330-M-OH054-033 ARABIAN SEA (March 30, 2011) – U.S. Marines from the Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pull alongside the military sealift command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) to perform a visit, board, search, and seize evolution during a training exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110330-M-OH054-089 ARABIAN SEA (March 30, 2011) – A U.S. Marine with Maritime Raid Force (MRF), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, handcuffs a U.S. Marine role playing as a suspected pirate during a visit, board, search and seizure exercise aboard the military sealift command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3). (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

Weekly Photos

110402-M-OH054-128 ARABIAN SEA (April 2, 2011) Lance Cpl. Alvin Cantey, a radio operator with Personnel Security Department, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sings R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” during Open Mike Night aboard USS Green Bay (LPD-20), April 2. Marines and Sailors played Guitar Hero, ate nachos and sang in the ship’s mess deck as part of the MWR event. The MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110402-M-OH054-112 ARABIAN SEA (April 2, 2011) Marines with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Sailors aboard USS Green Bay (LPD 20) decide which songs to sing for Karaoke during Open Mike Night aboard the ship, April 2. Marines and Sailors played Guitar Hero, ate nachos and sang in the ship’s mess deck as part of the MWR event. The MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110402-M-OH054-035 ARABIAN SEA (April 2, 2011) Sgt. Joshua Williams, a squad leader with 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), mentors the Marines assigned to his gun team during a professional military education session aboard USS Green Bay (LPD 20), April 2. The MEU is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110330-M-OH054-072 ARABIAN SEA (March 30, 2011) USS Green Bay (LPD 20) sails in the Arabian Sea as part of Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, March 30. USS Green Bay is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

110329-M-1178B-018 ARABIAN SEA (March 29, 2011) Marines from the Maritime Raid Force (MRF), 13th Marine Expeditionary Unity (MEU), prepare to climb aboard the USS Green Bay (LPD-20) during visit, board, search and seizure training. The MRF deployed with the MEU onboard Green Bay in support of counter-piracy and maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet AOR. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)

Maritime Raid Force conducts sustainment shoot

INDIAN OCEAN aboard USS GREEN BAY (LPD-20) – Marines from the Maritime Raid Force, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare for a sustainment shoot off the deck of the USS Green Bay LDP-20, April 02, 2011. (Official U. S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt Donald Bohanner/Released)