Troops sharpen close-quarter combat skills at Camp Hansen

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Staff Sgt. Jonathan White, right, 33, from San Antonio, with Special Operations Group, demonstrates to students in the Dynamic Assault Course how to fire an M-4 rifle while wearing a gas mask at Camp Hansen's Range 16.


Troops sharpen close-quarter combat skills at Camp Hansen
By Cindy Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, November 21, 2007


CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa — Reconnaissance Marines often have to make snap decisions during close-quarters fighting in urban environments.

Fighting enemies among noncombatants in crowded streets requires trust in one’s training, with speed, surprise and forceful action allowing Marines to control the situation, instructors said Monday at the five-week Dynamic Assault Course at Camp Hansen.

“These are the skills needed if you want to win” in urban combat environments like Iraq, said Staff Sgt. Chris Brennan, senior instructor.

The 3rd Recon Battalion Marines are taught to think independently while working in concert with decisions made by other members of the team, Brennan said.

“Knowing where your Marines are left and right” is invaluable in close-quarters fighting, said Gunnery Sgt. Brett Davis, platoon sergeant for 3rd Recon’s 2nd Platoon, D Company, who is attending the course.

But these skills don’t come easily. It takes more than 3,000 repetitions to imprint a movement into muscle memory, Brennan said.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50401