This is GT Liberal Arts.

On July 23, 2014, the WHS group that oversees interns organized an amazing trip for current DoD interns to visit and participate in demonstrations at the Marine Corps base at Quantico.

This experience taught us the core values of the Marine Corps, he different leadership tracks for creating US Marines, and the necessary skills needed during deployments and enemy engagements. 

While at Quantico, all of the interns got to participate in an M-16 virtual training exercise. We held actual M-16s (with air compressed magazines, not live ammunition) and practiced target shooting in real combat scenarios. During my trial, I heard the Marine say, “Beware not to shoot civilians,” but sure enough I was that person that committed the crime against humanity who shot a very disruptive civilian who pulled a black flag from behind his back (not a gun). It was definitely embarrassing, but it was amazing hearing the reactions from the Marines. They take their practices very seriously and understand that people make mistakes, however Marines do not. The Marines have very specific demonstrations to train each Marine to handle those situations and prevent committing Crimes Against Humanity. While this is definitely common knowledge, it was amazing hearing about their structured lesson plans to train these men and women, and I got goosebumps talking to current enlisted Marines describe their experiences. 

Secondly, we participated in a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), commonly known as the Humvee, virtual exercise. Our group split into four Humvee teams and attempted to patrol one of the Iraqi desert hazard areas. The desert and Humvees were located in these large white containers that resembled small metal warehouses. Within each container was a small tractor trailed with the virtual machines inside. Inside there were 8 screens and 8 projectors to project a 360 degree view for the simulation. This was some of the best technology I have ever seen required to make, basically, a real-life video game. Each team had a driver, team leader (radio coordinator), top gunner on the 50-cal located at the top of the Humvee, and a shooter in the back with a smaller machine gun. Each individual in the Humvee also possessed their own M-16. Again, these weapons were actual weapons but the ammo was fake and with sensors not live ammunition. THANK GOODNESS!

The exercise took about 30 minutes and included being approached by foreign aggressive and non-aggressive vehicles, shot at by civilians, within range of IEDs, and etc. It was CRAZY. After the exercise, we talked with a few Marines and the operators of the simulators. They said that the heat from the computers and outside temperatures tend to cause computer malfunctions, and the computers themselves can have problems any time; while describing the malfunctions of the hardware, they indicated that this doesn’t bother them because it is another necessary aspect to training. When computers break-down or the simulation gets glitchy it somewhat simulates a situation where while in the field if your equipment malfunctions or your map is ripped or you cannot contact others via radio. While in the simulation people aren’t actually shooting at you, it is necessary to constantly be ready for surprises and learn how to engage with different team members in order to successfully complete a mission. Hearing the stories from the enlisted Marines about their time in action whether in Iraq or Afghanistan or elsewhere was enough to move me to the point of tears… It is amazing what these people do in times of crisis and violence in order to protect their country, their comrades, and their mission.