Pohang, Republic of Korea -- Republic of Korea Marines with the 1st ROK Marine Engineer Battalion and U.S. Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion executed a combat marksmanship course April 30 and May 1 during Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-6 in Pohang, Republic of Korea.
KMEP 14-6 is one in a series of continuous combined training exercises designed to enhance the ROK and U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula, and further strengthen ROK and U.S. military capabilities and interoperability.
“The Marines are shooting a course of fire as part of the combat marksmanship program,” said U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Brian D. Corpuz, the operations chief for Company A, 9th ESB, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “The purpose of this course was to get ROK and U.S. Marines familiar with short-distance shooting and maneuvering. The most important thing about training alongside the ROK Marine engineers is getting them familiar with shooting a different course than the one they are used to.”
The Marines executed the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program’s intermediate and advanced training, which is a five-stage training evolution that take place during both day and night.
“The daytime course is designed to familiarize Marines with the movements of the range and engaging targets,” said Corpuz, an Ukiah, Calif., native. “While the nighttime course is designed to get Marines familiar with engaging targets in the dark using an infrared laser and illuminator, and night vision goggles. Every Marine is a rifleman, and with this exercise they are able to really put their marksmanship skills to the test.”
KMEP familiarizes U.S. Marines with the Korean Peninsula and builds upon a long-standing relationship between ROK and U.S. Marines.
“Working with another country’s military is special because you get to compare the way they train to the way we train,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Bryan P. Hodges, a combat engineer with 9th ESB. “There are some similarities as well as some differences, but it’s a good way to build camaraderie between allies.”
Although ROK and U.S. Marine engineers operate very similarly, they still learned many valuable lessons from each other, according to Hodges, a New Orleans native.
“The ROK Marine engineers are trained almost exactly the same way we are,” said Hodges. “It was interesting to see them try this range for the first time. I definitely liked working with the ROK Marines. They are very interactive, learn quickly, adapt well and are easy to work with.”
KMEP is a regularly-scheduled combined, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps forces.
“This is my first time working with U.S. Marines, and it has been a very rewarding opportunity,” said ROK Marine Cpl. Nam Myoung Hyun, a bulldozer operator with 1st ROK Marine Engineer Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. “Cooperation is a big factor in bilateral training. Although we use different languages and have different cultures, this was still a good chance for us to work together and move together as one.”
Due to the ROK Marines relatively short term of service, the chance to work with U.S. Marines doesn’t come very often, according to Hyun.
“Before I joined the Marine Corps I never imagined I would be working with U.S. Marines, but it has been an honor to train alongside them,” said Hyun. “Working with U.S. Marines has been the most memorable experience I have had since I joined the Marine Corps, and I’m looking forward to doing it again in the future.”