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From October 2014 to July 2015, the Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.

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ground combat element integrated task force

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marine corps operational test and evaluation activity assessment

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marine corps air ground combat center twentynine palms leadership

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marine air ground task force training command

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Integrated Task Force AAV Platoon Employs MCOTEA Assessment

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U.S. Marines with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company B, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force (GCEITF), conducted a Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity assessment at Range 500, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 7, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Alicia R. Leaders/Released)

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Marines with Alpha Company, Weapons Company and Engineer Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, began their Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity assessment aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, California, May 5, 2015.

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Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force

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Trail High Point: 7,337 feet" reads a wooden sign atop a mountain. A squad of Marines briefly catch their breath and sip water, one of many items securely packed in their 75-pound fighting load. Many tasks remain before they travel this path back the way they came.

Marines with Alpha Company, Weapons Company and Engineer Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, began their Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity assessment aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, California, May 5, 2015.

The unit's arrival to MWTC comes after completion of the standards-based tasks conducted since March aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. The companies find themselves operating in heavy change of scenery, trading in the sand and dry brush of the desert for uphill dirt trails, sky-high trees, running streams of water and even snow-topped mountains.

For the first several days, the Marines were briefed on basic knowledge of the new environment. They were presented the opportunity to explore their designated route and given thorough instruction of utilizing knot-tying and a carabineer, the two tools essential for their assessment.

"Hiking along these trails is beautiful compared to the desert," said Lance Cpl. Jordan Osborne, rifleman, Co. A, GCEITF. "I volunteered to try something new. I thought this was a really cool opportunity that will not pass by again."

Unlike their assessment in Twentynine Palms, which saw offensive and defensive operations split into two days, all tasks at MWTC are completed over the course of a single day. One day, the infantry-trained Marines of Co. A and Weapons Co. will step off, and the following day, the provisional infantry Marines of those companies, as well as the combat engineers, conduct the same required tasks.

MCOTEA representatives collected data through the use of heart-rate monitors worn by participating Marines, and overseeing data collectors assess each run-through.

The assessment begins with a squad of Marines donning a main pack of 75 pounds and stepping off for an approximately three-mile movement from lower base camp, along an elevating trail and ending at a gorge. From there, the squad is required to don Kevlar helmets and tie a military rappel seat around their waist, making a harness. With the assistance of the mountain leaders, or "Red Hats," they are secured to a rope bridge and required to maneuver, upside-down, across the gorge, hanging 170 feet above ground.

"I was intimidated by the gorge cross," Osborne said. "Ropes kind of scare me. It was the first time I have ever had to cross over like that. "

From there, squads regroup and traverse a short distance to their next objective: scaling a 40-foot cliff face.

Once again making their rappel seats, Marines step up to enter one of two designated lanes, secure their ropes and make their ascent. Working in crews of three ensured that one Marine ascending the wall was assisted by a belayer and a spotter, with his or her safety covered. Once Marines reached the top, they stretched their legs to a standing position and walked backed down, guided by their partners on the ground.

"A few people have a fear of heights," said Sgt. Courtney G. White, machine gunner, Weapons Co., GCEITF. "But it's a team effort and other people are depending on you to get across and continue the mission. (Climbing) the rock wall was not the easiest thing for me, but you learn to do it."

After the last Marine completed their descent, the squad regrouped to hike back the three miles from which they came.

"In your lifetime, you only get a limited number of opportunities to be a part of something historic," White said. "Being one of the first females to try out for a combat position was something I had to do."

The task force is slated to continue their assessment aboard MWTC until the end of the month.

From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards-based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.

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ground combat element integrated task force

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Integrated Task Force Marines begin MCOTEA assessment aboard Mountain

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"Trail High Point: 7,337 feet" reads a wooden sign atop a mountain. A squad of Marines briefly catch their breath and sip water, one of many items securely packed in their 75-pound fighting load. Many tasks remain before they travel this path back the way,

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MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER BRIDGEPORT, Calif. --

“Trail High Point: 7,337 feet” reads a wooden sign atop a mountain. A squad of Marines briefly catch their breath and sip water, one of many items securely packed in their 75-pound fighting load. Many tasks remain before they travel this path back the way they came.

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Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force

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Trail High Point: 7,337 feet" reads a wooden sign atop a mountain. A squad of Marines briefly catch their breath and sip water, one of many items securely packed in their 75-pound fighting load. Many tasks remain before they travel this path back the way they came.

Marines with Alpha Company, Weapons Company and Engineer Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, began their Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity assessment aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, California, May 5, 2015.

The unit's arrival to MWTC comes after completion of the standards-based tasks conducted since March aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. The companies find themselves operating in heavy change of scenery, trading in the sand and dry brush of the desert for uphill dirt trails, sky-high trees, running streams of water and even snow-topped mountains.

For the first several days, the Marines were briefed on basic knowledge of the new environment. They were presented the opportunity to explore their designated route and given thorough instruction of utilizing knot-tying and a carabineer, the two tools essential for their assessment.

"Hiking along these trails is beautiful compared to the desert," said Lance Cpl. Jordan Osborne, rifleman, Co. A, GCEITF. "I volunteered to try something new. I thought this was a really cool opportunity that will not pass by again."

Unlike their assessment in Twentynine Palms, which saw offensive and defensive operations split into two days, all tasks at MWTC are completed over the course of a single day. One day, the infantry-trained Marines of Co. A and Weapons Co. will step off, and the following day, the provisional infantry Marines of those companies, as well as the combat engineers, conduct the same required tasks.

MCOTEA representatives collected data through the use of heart-rate monitors worn by participating Marines, and overseeing data collectors assess each run-through.

The assessment begins with a squad of Marines donning a main pack of 75 pounds and stepping off for an approximately three-mile movement from lower base camp, along an elevating trail and ending at a gorge. From there, the squad is required to don Kevlar helmets and tie a military rappel seat around their waist, making a harness. With the assistance of the mountain leaders, or "Red Hats," they are secured to a rope bridge and required to maneuver, upside-down, across the gorge, hanging 170 feet above ground.

"I was intimidated by the gorge cross," Osborne said. "Ropes kind of scare me. It was the first time I have ever had to cross over like that. "

From there, squads regroup and traverse a short distance to their next objective: scaling a 40-foot cliff face.

Once again making their rappel seats, Marines step up to enter one of two designated lanes, secure their ropes and make their ascent. Working in crews of three ensured that one Marine ascending the wall was assisted by a belayer and a spotter, with his or her safety covered. Once Marines reached the top, they stretched their legs to a standing position and walked backed down, guided by their partners on the ground.

"A few people have a fear of heights," said Sgt. Courtney G. White, machine gunner, Weapons Co., GCEITF. "But it's a team effort and other people are depending on you to get across and continue the mission. (Climbing) the rock wall was not the easiest thing for me, but you learn to do it."

After the last Marine completed their descent, the squad regrouped to hike back the three miles from which they came.

"In your lifetime, you only get a limited number of opportunities to be a part of something historic," White said. "Being one of the first females to try out for a combat position was something I had to do."

The task force is slated to continue their assessment aboard MWTC until the end of the month.

From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards-based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.

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ground combat element integrated task force

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Integrated Task Force Marines begin MCOTEA assessment aboard Mountain

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"Trail High Point: 7,337 feet" reads a wooden sign atop a mountain. A squad of Marines briefly catch their breath and sip water, one of many items securely packed in their 75-pound fighting load. Many tasks remain before they travel this path back the way,

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Average salary nationwide: $166,243
Learn more about what goes into a salary with the Compensation Estimator.
Learn more about Military Insurance and Retirement Benefits. Combat mission support officers work in a variety of settings. Some work in offices or command and control centers. Others work primarily outdoors in the field during training exercises and actual combat situations. Depending on the service branch and specialty, combat mission support officers may work in aircraft and aboard ships.

Job training consists of classroom instruction and field training under simulated combat situations. Training length varies depending on position. Course content typically includes:

Battle tactics and management

Relationships among air, ground and naval forces

Capabilities of weapon systems

Communication systems

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Officer

Service Branch: Army

"I have never experienced a day in the Army that was identical to the day before. Every day, there is a new challenge, there is a new obstacle to overcome, there are unique opportunities that are afforded to us to go out and experience."

John Bushman grew up with a strong connection to the Military. His father was an officer and practiced law within the Military for eight years. John's youth was like anyone else's - mainly spent playing sports. He graduated from McLean High School in Virginia, and went on to attend the Virginia Military Institute, where he got a full picture of what the Military - and all its branches - had to offer. One roommate was an Air Force ROTC cadet, another a Navy ROTC student.

"The benefit of going to a state-supported military college [is that] you have all four branches of Service, and you can kind of see what everyone else is doing."

Everybody comes to the Army or to the Military as an individual.

In his junior year, John attended Advanced Training at Fort Bragg, N.C. - an annual training camp for Army ROTC participants. John got to see what artillery members do, what infantry members do, what communications specialists do - giving him a wide range of possibilities to choose from and the opportunity to discover what really resonated with him. Returning for his senior year, John submitted a list of "Top 10" careers he wanted within the Army. His top choice was the role of artillery officer.

"The primary role of an artillery officer is to plan, coordinate, integrate, synchronize and employ lethal and nonlethal weapons and assets to support combined arms operations."

While this work often takes John into challenging environments, his mission begins long before he sets foot in a combat zone. To prepare a particular unit for future operations, John could supervise training on basic skills such as marksmanship or something more in-depth, like instructing a unit on an artillery-specific weapons system or procedure.

"Everybody comes to the Army or to the Military as an individual. And everybody has their own motivations for joining. They all have their own goals they want to accomplish."

John is currently attending the School for Advanced Military Studies, where he'll graduate this spring. After that, he doesn't know what his next challenge will be. But he knows that whatever it is, it will be an unexpected and rewarding experience. His years in the Military have taught him that.

Enlisted

Jacob Poulliot grew up near San Antonio as part of an Air Force family. He went to Lackland Air Force Base regularly and watched combat controllers in training. When Jacob saw them, he was intrigued and thought that might be the right job for him. Before he went to Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Jacob began researching and training for a combat control career.

"Knowing that I was going into the combat control career field, I wanted to be in the best shape I could ever be in. I talked to people who knew how to exercise, and who knew how to stay in shape. I also talked to some guys who are actually in the career field, and they helped me out."

After Basic Training, Jacob entered the combat control pipeline. The pipeline involves several different types of schools: Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape (SERE); underwater egress; air traffic control; airborne and combat control. During this time, Jacob began learning how to jump out of planes.

It's always changing, and there's always something else to do. So I plan on staying with the Air Force for a while.

"Up in the aircraft for the first time ... you realize, 'I'm really going to jump out.' It's kind of nerve-wracking at that point. The adrenaline's pumping, and you almost don't want to do it, but you know it's going to be cool. It's just a rush of emotions."

Combat controllers go through so much training because they help to clear and secure air fields in hazardous conditions or behind enemy lines. Once they establish an air field, they also act as air traffic controllers, and they guide the planes to a safe landing. Combat controllers are often attached to Army Special Forces teams, Navy SEAL teams or Marine Special Operations Command teams, and they provide additional air power for these teams during battle.

After his training, Jacob was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, for two years. He has participated in exercises in Australia, Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines, and he has been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Throughout this time, he has maintained his training regimen so he can be ready for anything.

"We go through a very rigorous training process, which basically prepares us for any type of situation that we could encounter ... It makes us better operators working in every type of environment."

Although Jacob has reached his goal of being a combat controller, he isn't stopping there. He wants to advance in his career, and he is earning his airway science degree so he can be even better at his job.

"It's always changing, and there's always something else to do. So I plan on staying with the Air Force for a while."

Enlisted

When he was growing up in Texas, Robert Settle heard about his grandfather's experiences as a sergeant in the Marine Corps. Right after the events of 9/11, Robert decided that joining the Marine Corps and following his grandfather's path would be the best way to serve his country.

"The Marine Corps is a brotherhood, and that's what it really is. There's a misconception through movies that the Marine Corps is this beast, where you're going to come in and you're going to get yelled at all the time. It's not just that. It's a job, but at the same time they teach you how to be a man."

After going to a Military Entrance Processing Station and enlisting in the Delayed Entry Program, Robert shipped to Recruit Training and went to school for air traffic control. While fulfilling his commitment in this position, he realized he wanted to change his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) so he could work with amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs). He asked a career retention specialist about entering a new field, and the Marine Corps accommodated his new career goals.

"Once you re-enlist, you're allowed to 'laterally move' into a different MOS, as long as there is space for new Marines in that MOS."

The Marine Corps is a brotherhood.

Now an AAV crew chief, Robert is in charge of a three-man team. This team operates a 26-ton vehicle, which can hold around 22 service members. The AAV can travel from water to land in order to drop infantry onto a hostile shore, and it can cover almost any terrain, from sand to mountains.

Robert has many responsibilities in this role. He works with a complex vehicle, and he must help keep the other service members in the AAV safe. But he welcomes the challenge of maintaining the AAV and training others to do the same.

"There's one thing my colonel says to me: Horse, saddle, self. You take care of the thing you ride - your vehicle. Then you take care of the gear that you carry with you, and then you take care of yourself because, if you don't take care of the gear, it's not going to take care of you in battle."

Robert, who is based at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, has deployed twice - once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he helped train members of the Afghan National Army (ANA). During this time, Robert also lived next door to members of the ANA, and he got to know his Afghan counterparts.

"While I was training the Afghan army, I got close to a couple of the sergeants that were older than me. ... We would go have dinner with them and just hang out with them. They're people just like us. They just like to have fun."

While in Afghanistan, Robert helped deliver humanitarian assistance to children. Since Afghanistan can become extremely cold, children needed blankets, clothing, shoes and coats. Robert also distributed backpacks and pens to children who needed them for school.

"They cherish pens. Every time I go through a town, they're asking me for a pen. 'Mister, pen! Mister!' I'll pull out a pen and hand it to a kid, and then a whole mob of kids will come over. And it makes me happy. I just hand out all the pens I've got. I run out of stuff to give away, eventually."

Robert is proud of the abilities he has gained in the Marine Corps. After he fulfills his service commitment, he plans to combine these skills with his passion - cars. He is already planning to go back to school, enter the business world and launch a career in auto restoration and customization.

"The things the Marine Corps has taught me that could allow me to run a business would definitely have to be leadership, organization, attention to detail and, overall, how to be a responsible person."

No doubt Robert will work toward his latest career goals with the same amount of leadership, organization and attention to detail that he has shown while serving in the Marine Corps.

View all career fields and profiles

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Officer Service Branch: Army "I have never experienced a day in the Army that was identical to the day before. Every day, there is a new challenge, there is a new obstacle to overcome, there are unique opportunities that are afforded to us to go out and experience."