CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment geared up to begin a company live-fire exercise taking place at Camp Lejeune, Sept. 30, 2015.
The exercise is in preparation for the integrated training exercise that is going to take place at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, in October.
“Today we are doing our company live-fire, company scale attack,” said Cpl. Michael Berky, a squad leader with the battalion. “An attack at this scale allows the younger guys to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Everyone plays an integral role in this unit.”
The terrain combined with the changing weather allows for Marines to adapt and overcome, and to better receive the conditions they will encounter at ITX said Miller.
“My role out here is to suppress the machine gun bunkers as the maneuvering element comes through the breach,” said Lance Cpl. Kevin Miller, a squad leader with the battalion. “As a squad leader, I make sure my Marines are within their safety limits of the man up front.”
The exercise is being conducted in order to eliminate any potential flaws that may arise when the Marines are being evaluated at their ITX.
“We are constantly out here, constantly training; the Marine Corps is America’s force in readiness.” Berky said. “I feel the training we have been conducting has prepared myself and the Marines under me for what lies ahead at Twentynine Palms. It’s an awesome opportunity to mentor them.”