MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Community services Marines took part an all-new training evolution from Camp Pendleton’s Marine Corps Community Services to prepare them for an upcoming deployment.
Community services Marines from bases across the Marine Corps are receiving the “MCCS Marine Training,” the current working title, in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Currently, community services Marines who are preparing to deploy are temporarily attached to Combat Logistics Regiment 17.
The training schedule is based around the deployment rotation, which is typically seven months.
“The Marines will act as MCCS representatives while deployed to Afghanistan or anywhere else,” said Cari Gordonne, fitness programs supervisor, Semper Fit Division, MCCS. “We are training them in all aspects of what MCCS offers.”
The Marines are educated on how to set up and run retail stores, as well as recreation and fitness centers. They also learn how to perform preventative maintenance on exercise equipment.
“Marine Corps Community Services are offering more than the basics of setting up facilities for Marines who are deployed,” said Robin Vannes, senior recreation program analyst, Personal and Family Readiness Division, Headquarters Marine Corps. “We are also teaching them how to setup moral, welfare and recreation activities such as special-event races, sports tournaments and internet centers.”
A highlight of the multi-day training course was the inclusion of suspension training on an exercise system that uses a person’s own body weight for an effective physical training session.
“Suspension training is an extremely versatile tool we are putting in the Marines’ fitness toolbox,” Gordonne said. “The Marines will be able to lead PT sessions to train others on techniques and combinations the system offers to improve performance and provide a good workout.”
Marine Corps Community Services hopes the training gives the Marines a new perspective on the role MCCS plays in every Marine’s life.
“This training has been great,” said Sgt. Jeremy Overstreet, morale, welfare and recreation specialist, CLR-17. “We’ve been learning so much about what MCCS does to help the Marines. I’ll be able to take that information and use it to make a Marines’ day better.”
Combat Logistics Regiment 17 (Forward) will be putting the training in motion when they deploy to Afghanistan next month.