Pakistani Marines tour East Coast bases

Society Military and Strategic Issues
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Pakistani Marines tour East Coast bases
*Saturday May 19, 2007 *

By Trista Talton - Staff writer

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — You thought 12 weeks of boot camp was tough? Try nine months.

That’s how long the Pakistan Marine Corps’ boot camp lasts. But streamlining recruit training is something a delegation of eight Pakistani Marines plans to learn more about as it tours U.S. Marine facilities on the East Coast.

The Pakistani Marines — seven officers and one enlisted member — arrived May 10 for a two-week visit to learn about enlisted entry-level training, staff training and specialized infantry training.

Pakistan’s Marine Corps was founded in 1990 and is about 2,000 strong, with plans to grow to brigade strength by 2015.

“They are one of our most important allies in the war on terrorism,” said Maj. Greg Butcher, Marine Corps Central Command liaison officer, explaining why CentCom arranged the trip.

Scribbling notes in leather-bound pads during a visit to Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Friday, the Pakistani Marines watched as a U.S. leatherneck demonstrated one of the base’s indoor simulated marksmanship trainers. Then they got a turn to use it.

Camp Lejeune was the third stop on their tour. While at the base, the delegation planned to visit the Military Operations on Urban Terrain facility and the School of Infantry.

The tour ends next week after a three-day stay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.

Marine Corps Times

Tomorrow, Lollywood might be making movies about Pakistani marines carrying out secret operations all over the world.

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Re: Pakistani Marines tour East Coast bases

Pakistani Marine New Training Includes North Carolina Base
*May. 19, 2007 *

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Marines from Pakistan are expected to start training at Marine bases in the United States next year and a delegation is visiting bases where the training will take place.

Pakistani Marines visited three areas of Camp Lejeune on Friday. They toured an urban warfare facility, a computerized indoor marksmanship range and the school of infantry.

“One purpose of this visit is to strengthen and enhance (themselves) and use parts of our training for their own,” said Maj. Mikeal Mizell, Regional Affairs Officer, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command.

Mizell said the U.S. Marine Corps has been working with Pakistan’s military for two years.

“They are now one of our most important partners in the war against terror,” said Maj. Greg Butcher, Marine Corps Liason Officer for the Office of Defense to Pakistan.

The Pakistanis are scheduled to travel to Parris Island, South Carolina on Sunday. They also have visited Washington and the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia

WRAL

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