CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan -- Fourteen motor transport mechanics from Motor Transport Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, recently took part in the Advanced Motor Transport Operators Course on the Camp Schwab ranges.
The purpose of the course is to give Marines real world scenarios to overcome and build confidence in themselves and their vehicles, said Staff Sgt. Candace J. Burgess, 1st MAW licensing official.
Putting into practice their basic vehicle operation training, the mechanics were tasked with maneuvering over and through multiple obstacles.
The first obstacle to conquer was four concrete blocks the Marines had to drive over without smacking the undercarriage of the Humvee. The next challenge was called the "serpentine," where students must safely drive across a concrete ramp angled at 30 degrees and then up a steep concrete hill.
After coming down from the hill, students drove across several ditches simulating large pot holes.
Next, students demonstrated careful steering on a narrow curving hill.
Carefully coming down from the hill the students rounded a bend to find a 2-foot-6-inch deep pool of water they had to safely maneuver through to complete the first part of the course.
The second stage began with a vehicle lane control obstacle designed to give students practice in keeping the Humvee straight while driving. Coming out of the lane control obstacles, students drove into a maze of high walls sporting tight turns that created a challenge to not touch the concrete walls while turning.
The last two obstacles the students navigated through were three large, consecutive hill moguls and a water lane control trench where the right side tires dipped down into a one foot deep, water-filled trench.
The Marines now have experience with encountering different obstacles they may find in a combat zone, said Burgess.
"If we approach an obstacle in combat we will now be able to overcome it with confidence," said Cpl. Dennis W. Emke, one of the drivers. "So we can effectively get out of the line of fire."
In addition to gaining confidence, the Marines overcame a tendency to hesitate when faced with an obstacle in their path.
It is very important to keep one's mind right while driving in a war zone and be able to think on the move, said Pfc. William W. Watson, a motor transport mechanic with maintenance platoon.
The course also offered the Marines a brief hiatus from their usual work schedule in the motor pool.
"We fix [Humvees] all day and now we get to drive them," said Watson.
"It is something different than just working on the vehicles," added Emke.