MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina – August 21, 2015 — Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in an all-terrain vehicle course aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 18, 2015. Marines drove Polaris Rzr tactical vehicles along Lejeune’s tank trails and performed various types of vehicle tests to become certified to drive these vehicles.
The Marines faced obstacles involving maneuverability tests, trail experience and off road field obstacles.
The maneuverability tests allowed Marines to gain experience behind the wheel while conducting start, stop and turn tests, as well as experience driving the vehicles around cones in reverse.
“The tank trails of Camp Lejeune allowed Marines with the platoon to drive in a tactical formation and practice hand signs,” said Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Chapman, the motor transport chief. “Marines practiced hand signals to relay messages about the speed of a formation, the direction of a path for the formation and notifications about other personnel nearby.”
Marines drove off-road through hills, ruts, sand, mud and water. Each element the Marines faced gave them an understanding of how the vehicle handles different terrains.
The Marines were able to apply the training they received about using the wench to get a vehicle unstuck from a water obstacle.
“We weren’t planning on applying the wench information we learned today,” said Staff Sgt. Johnathon Beck, a Marine with 2nd Reconnaissance Detachment. “Because we knew how to respond to a situation where a vehicle is stuck in an obstacle, we were able to resume our training and certify the Marines.”