Marines work together to navigate movement-to-contact course 

Bulk fuel specialists are Marines who install, operate, maintain and repair fuel handling units and accessory equipment.

But as the old adage goes, every Marine is a rifleman.

Therefore, Marines with Bulk Fuel Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group practiced their combat marksmanship during a live-fire range here, Sept. 25.

The movement-to-contact training forced Marines to work together in groups of two as they engaged 16 targets with their M-16 rifles.

Each target had a unique obstacle each shooter had to negotiate in order to complete the course. Whether it was the 15-foot tower, the grassy terrain, peeking through windows or maintaining cover and concealment, each Marine successfully steered clear of hiccups.

“It was good training,” said Cpl. Beau Woodcock, a bulk fuel specialist with the company. “Everyone needs training like this. It’s good for Marines to get out here and shoot.”

The shooters completed the course three times in crawl, walk and run phases.

“The things you learn and do for your [military occupational specialty] are important, but you also have to be sharp with the basics of being a Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Ronnie Johnson, the range safety officer during the training. “They need to know what to do in all types of situations, not only ones associated with their job.”

The training afforded the company the opportunity to engage their Marines with a new challenge and provide an example of why teamwork is vital.

“I’m happy with how my teammate and I did,” said Lance Cpl. Elmo Hernandez, a Hempstead, N.Y., native. ”We learned communication means a lot when working on something like this.”
The course was a timed event, but learning the proper techniques was the focus.

“They did a great job,” said Johnson. “They engaged the targets successfully and learned how to communicate well with each other. The winning time was six minutes, which is pretty good.”

The training concluded with one team claiming the fastest time on the course, furthermore, the company experienced new training tactics and saw its Marines smoothly work together in a setting they aren’t accustomed to with success, proving every Marine is a rifleman.