H&S Bn conducts 101 Critical Days of Summer Training on Torii Station

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Story by Lance Cpl. Nicole Rogge

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

 U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Corps Base Smedley D. Butler buddy dragged, sprinted and crawled through the sands of Torii Beach as part of their annual 101 Critical Days of Summer training May 17 on United States Army Garrison Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan.

The training was designed to build camaraderie between the different units within Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Headquarters and Support Battalion, while educating service members of the dangers on Okinawa during the hot summer months.

“We are here to use some of the terrain and environment we are in to make sure the Marines understand the seriousness of safety during the summer,” said Col. Vincent J. Ciuccoli, commanding officer with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. “In this case we are emphasizing water safety.”

During the training approximately 300 service members moved through eight stations taught by Marines within the battalion, each with their own Okinawa specific safety topic, ranging from typhoon readiness to knowing when it’s safe to enter the water.

“It’s a good opportunity to give the knowledge you have from being on island for a year to other Marines,” said Pfc. Edwin Gomez Jr., a personnel clerk with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.

Annual Marine Corps training is usually held in a theater with Marines watching a PowerPoint for a few hours. This training was intentionally conducted with a more unconventional approach as a creative way to engage and educate the Marines. This training method was very similar to the battalions’ Back in the Saddle training earlier this year.

“Remember, the rescuing that has to occur,” said Ciuccoli. “Whether it’s during a typhoon or on a normal day, someone else has to put themselves at risk to save you when you put yourself at risk.”

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