1
00:00:00,487 --> 00:00:01,878
(radio transmission)

2
00:00:01,878 --> 00:00:03,512
(explosion)

3
00:00:03,512 --> 00:00:05,111
(radio transmission)

4
00:00:05,111 --> 00:00:07,030
(explosion)

5
00:00:07,030 --> 00:00:10,197
(radio transmission)

6
00:00:11,410 --> 00:00:13,640
- The 2nd Tank Battalion's VFT to Fort Stewart

7
00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:15,400
really the significance of it is,

8
00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:18,400
the closure of SR-10 in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

9
00:00:19,366 --> 00:00:21,430
(rapid-fire blasts)

10
00:00:21,430 --> 00:00:23,230
^We looked through all the East Coast

11
00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:24,880
^and we found Fort Stewart

12
00:00:25,080 --> 00:00:26,930
^has a good base to not only fire,

13
00:00:26,930 --> 00:00:29,780
^but to also work on some of the other capabilities

14
00:00:29,780 --> 00:00:32,450
^we have in the battalion that needed exercising.

15
00:00:33,008 --> 00:00:35,591
(tank rolling)

16
00:00:38,060 --> 00:00:40,540
The priority of training out here

17
00:00:40,540 --> 00:00:43,180
was the tank crew ranges.

18
00:00:43,330 --> 00:00:45,080
The next priority was maneuver training

19
00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:47,180
for the tank platoons and tank company.

20
00:00:47,540 --> 00:00:50,350
Then we looked at how we could potentially train

21
00:00:50,350 --> 00:00:51,480
our H & S marines.

22
00:00:55,940 --> 00:00:58,220
We did not only focus on tank gunnery,

23
00:00:58,220 --> 00:01:01,150
tank skills, we used this base to its full capability

24
00:01:01,150 --> 00:01:03,840
and got training for the whole battalion,

25
00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:05,578
which includes the 500 marines and sailors

26
00:01:05,578 --> 00:01:08,411
of this battalion.
(machine gun fire)

27
00:01:08,411 --> 00:01:10,611
(machine gun fire)

28
00:01:10,611 --> 00:01:13,361
(dramatic music)

29
00:01:13,860 --> 00:01:15,160
^- I'm always impressed with them.

30
00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:15,993
^They stay motivated,

31
00:01:15,993 --> 00:01:18,530
^even being away from family for 37 days.

32
00:01:18,539 --> 00:01:20,370
^We just got back from an ITX

33
00:01:20,370 --> 00:01:21,670
^before we rolled out here.

34
00:01:22,450 --> 00:01:23,283
We can go out here

35
00:01:23,283 --> 00:01:25,650
and do stuff that we can't do back home.

36
00:01:26,490 --> 00:01:28,280
It's definitely a test for them,

37
00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,660
but so far, I've seen them persevere,

38
00:01:30,660 --> 00:01:31,493
rise to the occasion

39
00:01:31,493 --> 00:01:33,394
and it's been a great experience for them.

40
00:01:33,394 --> 00:01:34,530
(machine gun fire)

41
00:01:34,530 --> 00:01:36,600
Overall it's been a phenomenal opportunity

42
00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:38,940
and I think it's a benefit to the platoon

43
00:01:38,940 --> 00:01:41,120
and to the company and ultimately to the battalion

44
00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,130
and I think we'll leave a better unit

45
00:01:43,220 --> 00:01:45,270
from here than we were when we showed up.