The infantry of the U.S. Marine Corps is known across the world scene for its bravery and courage, and courage under fire. Much of the Marine Corps reputation is built on the fact that the Marine Infantry is better than any other force in the world at close combat, and at Combat Arms, Marine style. The MOS field of Combat Arms covers a large area. These areas include; Armor, Artillery specialties, and Infantry. The Marines that choose to pursue this MOS field are considered to be experts in weapons, survival, martial arts, and various battlefield tactics. As a member of Marine Combat Arms, you will join an elite company of soldiers that include:
Infantry: Machine gunner, mortar man, Infantry Rifleman, Anti Tank Missile operator.
Artillery: Field Artillery Fire Control, Radar operator, Field Artillery cannon operator.
Armor: Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crewman, and Tank Crewman.
Marines in the Close Combat area can also receive training as “Sappers”. Sappers are the soldiers who are responsible for clearing the pathway into a combat area. They use skill, training, cunning, and soldier ability to defeat the enemy and penetrate the enemy defenses. A Sapper course gives Marines a chance to learn new techniques; close arms combat skills, and how to deal with things such as high explosives and field maneuvering. The term itself, “Sapper” dates back to 1501. “Sapper training is to give Marines an understanding of mobile foot breaching, handling demolitions, and how to deal with IED explosives,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Shaun Anderson. A Marine Sapper school graduate has had their abilities elevated, and their power and their mind enabled. Sapper school teaches both advanced and basic Combat engineering techniques. The Sapper course is a six-week long training program taught at Camp Pendleton, California.
You do not have to be a combat engineer to take Sapper Training. “Pretty much any Marine in the Combat Arms MOS is able to sign up for Sapper Training.” Said Sgt Anderson. “We have had artillery Marines, and various infantry Marines, we even have had Combat Cooks come to Sapper training,” said Anderson. Sapper Coursework is comprised of five different elements that push Marines to their limits and tests their abilities.
First Phase. Land navigation and Communication.
Second Phase. Patrolling Techniques.
Third Phase. Reconnaissance.
Fourth Phase. Land mines and mine warfare.
Fifth Phase. Explosives and demolition.
After completing all of the different phases, Marines have an exercise to test their skills. The five-day exercise tests the Marines to their limits.
