Week 3 – USS Mayaquez, 5-31 May 1975

 

HEADQUARTERS

1st Battalion, 4th Marines

3rd Marine Division (-) (ReIn), FMF

FPO San Francisco 96602

BnBul 1500

3/JPF/reb

12 May 1975

 

BATTALION BULLETIN 1500

 

From:              Commanding Officer

To:                   Distribution List

Subj:               Deployment Phase Training Directive

 

Ref:                 (a)       DivO 3573.3 (BLT Readiness Program)

  • DivO P1500.3B (Training SOP)
  • MCO 1510.2H (Individual Training of Enlisted Men)
  • MCO 6100.3F (Physical Fitness and Weight Control)
  • MCO 1510.29 (Individual Water Survival and Swim Training)
  • MCO 3574.2D (Marksmanship Training with Individual Small Arms Training)
  • MCI O 1550.1L (MCI Handbook)
  • DivO 5350.6A (Human Relations Program)
  • DivO 6100.1D (Physical Fitness and Weight Control)
  • DivO 5100.11D (Division Ground Safety Program)
  • DivO 6200.2A (Heat Casualties)

 

Encl:                (1)       Deployment Phase Flow Chart

 

  1. Purpose. To promulgate guidance for the planning and execution of training for the Deployment Phase of the BLT Readiness Program, outlined in reference (a), as required by paragraph 402 of reference (b).
  2. Training Objectives
  3. To complete training in those mission essential training requirements which were not accomplished prior to deployment.
  4. To complete those other mission essential requirements which were not accomplished prior to deployment.
  5. To continue to accomplish those non-essential mission essential requirements as time permits.
  6. Mission Essential Training.This will be accomplished in three distinct periods with progressive goals established for each period.
  7. 1st Period (20 April – 30 June 1975) – Company Training

(1)       Goals

(a)       Company Tactical Training with emphasis on offensive/defensive tactics.

(b)       Review/Emphasis on Tactical Training for every level to company level.

(c)        Live Fire Exercises for companies and all weapons.

(d)       Continued emphasis on amphibious capability.

(2)       Training Highlights

(a)       FIREX’s for all rifle companies, separate platoons and attachments.

(b)       Amphibious Landing (ZAMEX)with entire BLT.

  1. 2nd Period (1 July – 31 August 1975) – BLT Training

(1)       Goals

(a)       Integrated Infantry/Combat Support Unit Training

(b)       Integrated Infantry Weapons/Supporting Arms FIREX’s.

(c)        Specialized BLT Operations (Amphibious/Heliborne Raids, Retrograde Operations, NEMVAC/Civil Disturbance Related Operations).

(2)       Training Highlights

(a)       BLT Exercise in SW Zambales.

(b)       BLT NEMVAC Exercise.

(c)        Specialty Training

(1)       Raid Training.

(2)       LVT Landings (for all Rifle Co’s).

(3)       Supporting Arms FIREX’s

  1. 3rd Period (1-12 September 1975).   Deployment Termination Period.

During this period the entire emphasis will be placed upon preparation to conclude deployment and return to Okinawa.

  1. Shipboard Training. An unspecified amount of time will be spent aboard amphibious shipping.   While mission essential training cannot be easily conducted aboard, a viable training program will be instituted to enhance the Battalion’s overall capability and training readiness. Shipboard training will emphasize the following areas:
  2. Maximum Kubasaki High School involvement.
  3. Human Relations Training.
  4. MCI
  5. Completion of EST requirements.
  6. Maintenance/Personnel Inspections to ensure constant readiness.
  7. Officer/SNCO training with emphasis on the Amphibious Warfare role of the BLT.
  8. Individual Training
  9. Individual Training will be a continuous and progressive evolution throughout the deployment. Ideally the BLT will return to Okinawa with the completion of as much individual training accomplished as possible.
  10. Goals. The following are established as self-determined goals for each unit of the BLT, to be achieved prior to return to Okinawa:

(1)       Essential Subjects:   100% of required personnel tested/95% passing.

(2)       Physical Fitness Test:    100% tested/100% passing.

(3)       Water Survival Qualification:    95% qualified in some degree.

(4)       Rifle Marksmanship:     75% fired/95% qualified with rifle.

(5)       Pistol Marksmanship:    100% fired/98% qualified.

(6)       Marine Corps Institute (MCI):    95% completion rate/less than 5% delinquency rate.

(7)       Human Relations:    100% trained in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Year Program.

(8)       Weight Control/Remedial PT:    Continuous and ongoing program reducing participants eventually to zero.

  1. Essential Subjects Training. EST will be conducted in accordance with reference (c).   Emphasis will be on practical testing and knowledge.
  2. Physical Fitness Testing. PFT will be conducted in accordance with reference (d).   Physical Training will be included on a daily basis.   Training may take the form of unit level PT, Battalion runs, and an aggressive hike program. In all cases heat conditions and acclimatization of personnel must be weighed against the strenuousness of physical activity.
  3. Water Survival Training. Units will develop a water survival program using reference (e) as a guide.   Non-swimmers will be segregated and placed on a swimming training program. Ideally every man in the BLT will be minimum swim qualified.
  4. Rifle Requalification. Conducted in accordance with reference (f). By using the available facilities in Subic Bay, it is hoped that all personnel required to fire for requalification will fire.
  5. Pistol Requalification. Conducted in accordance with reference (f). By using the available facilities in Subic Bay, it is hoped that all personnel required to fire for requalification will fire.
  6. Marine Corps Institute. An aggressive and comprehensive program will be continued as outlined in reference (g). Particular emphasis will be placed on timely completions and lowering inactive students to zero.
  7. Human Relations Training. Conducted in accordance with reference (h).   This training can best be conducted during shipboard periods and times when a unit is designated Duty Company. Command interest will be directed to ensure that all personnel complete their designated human relations course.
  8. Weight Control and Remedial PT. Conducted in accordance with reference (i). This program will be conducted at all levels continuously with special sessions run by the Battalion. The goal will be to reduce those personnel assigned to this program to zero.
  9. Non-mission Essential Subjects. In accordance with reference (a), the following subjects will be integrated into the training schedule throughout the deployment phase:
  10. Code of Conduct
  11. UCMJ
  12. Types of Discharges
  13. Venereal Disease
  14. Malaria Prevention
  15. Drug and Alcohol Abuse
  16. Troop Information
  17. Career Planning
  18. Operations Security
  19. MCI Course Assistance
  20. Schools
  21. School quotas will be issued when and if they become available throughout the deployment and published by separate directive.
  22. JUNGLE ENVIRONMENTAL SURVIVAL SCHOOL (JEST). It is the goal of this Battalion for every Marine to complete this school prior to the end of the deployment phase.
  23. Kubasaki High School. A continuing requirement exists to provide the opportunity for high school education to each non-high school graduate in the Battalion. This will be accomplished through the KUBASAKI PREP FLOAT program using internal Battalion Assets and Facilities available at the Cubi Learning Center. The following goals are established and are not meant to be restrictive if an individual can accomplish more:
  24. Minimum of four completed PREP courses prior to 1 September 1975.
  25. Maximum number of high school graduates through Kubasaki PREP program while the Battalion is deployed.
  26. Training Inspections
  27. All field and classroom training are subject to inspections.   Inspectors will consider the value of training received as well as facilities, instruction, and presentation.
  28. All units will be subject to training management inspections by this headquarters. Special emphasis will be placed upon maintenance of ITR cards (Individual Training Records), MCI R-5 cards, and lesson plans/outlines.
  29. Action.
  30. Unit Commanders will be guided by this directive and the weekly training schedule in the conduct of training during the deployment phase.
  31. Unit Commanders will ensure that safety is considered as the paramount issue in all training evolutions. References (j) and (k) provide instructions with regard to safety and accident/injury reporting procedures.
  32. This bulletin applies to BLT 1/4 when activated.
  33. Self-Cancellation. 30 September 1975.

 

C.E.    Hester

Distribution:  (A)+

31st MAU (5)

4th Mar (10)

BLT Attachments (2 each)

 

This page last corrected 11 September 2011