COVENAS, Colombia -- The Ground Combat Element (GCE) of a Marine Corps Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF) experienced first-hand, the Colombian marines' style of jungle survival during a survival training course conducted aboard the Marine Infantry Training Base in Covenas, Feb. 2.
The SCTF is currently deployed in support of Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2011, which is designed to strengthen cooperative partnerships among partner nations to better enable them to join efforts to enhance regional maritime security.
During their time in Colombia, the SCTF conducted several subject matter expert exchanges with the Colombian marines which included combat marksmanship, security tactics, motor transportation, medical treatment and other vital areas to improve techniques, share knowledge and develop professional relationships with the Colombian forces.
Although both the U.S. and Colombian marines share common interests and are similar in many ways, the difference in geography of the two countries means the forces have different strengths and a variety of common capabilities.
Colombian marines spend a lot of their time in the jungle, and U.S. Marines spend much of their time in urban or desert terrain. A-SPS 11 gave U.S. Marines the opportunity to learn from their Colombian counterparts and strengthen their own capabilities.
"The course taught us survival techniques that everyone should know, especially if you're in the military or an outdoorsman," said Lance Cpl. Zach T. Bubier.
The Colombian marines were able to pass on their jungle survival experience and skill level knowledge to the U.S. Marines, in hopes that the exchanges will continue to help each country's marines improve their core capabilities.
"The period of instruction today was very important to us because we need this knowledge to stay alive," said Colombian marine Cpl. 1st Class Fray Martinez. "These tactics are necessary for we always need to be in the fight."
During the survival training course, SCTF Marines learned various types of survival techniques to include building shelters and traps, hunting, making fire pits, finding food, and how to make a water filtration system from only natural resources.
"The only materials we have when we are in the jungle is what nature gives us," said Colombian marine Sgt. Guillermo Santana, Professional and Survival Course instructor. "That is what we learn to survive with, so that is what we will teach you guys to survive with."
The course kicked off with training on different types of shelters that can be built to provide cover from the enemy.
"There are several kinds of tents you can build, but the weather will depict which kind is necessary," said Guillermo. "In hot conditions, build a tent with open walls; in cold conditions, build a cone-shaped tent; if flood is considered to be an issue, build your shelter in a tree."
After demonstrating the different types of shelters, the class moved on to water filtration systems.
"It was interesting how simple the water filtration systems are and how vital it is for your survival," said Buier.
In addition to water filter displays, the Marines were taught different ways of building a fire pit by using rocks, wood, or digging a hole into the soil. The Marines learned the different shapes to dig according to what animal they were cooking, or which way they wanted the smoke to exit the pit.
The next portion of the class focused on food that is available to eat in that particular region; the Colombian marines showed examples of how to make traps to capture animals for food.
"When we are in the mountains and are out of rations, we have to resort to hunting and cooking our own food," said Colombian Marine Professional Oscar Cevallos. "There are different types of traps you can make with natural things found in the jungle, it just depends on what kind of animal you wish to catch."
The Colombian marines had the U.S. Marines eat a raw egg, including the shell, crackers and an onion as part of the course. The egg provides protein and calcium, the crackers provide carbohydrates, and the onion is used as an antioxidant, and this diet can sustain a person for an entire day.
"Eating the raw egg with the shell and all was pretty awesome, I was totally into it," said Cpl. Nicholas D. Bilak, SCTF Ground Combat Element. "I will admit it was not enjoyable, but the experience was pretty fun."
The various fruits found in the area were displayed on a large table to include guava, tomato, lapitaya, papaya and oranges. Each fruit was explained in taste, texture, and nutrition.
"The course was not at all what I expected it to be," said Balik. "I am used to thousands of power point slides; this course was way more hands-on than anything I've ever done."
After spending a day learning the different survival tactics, the Marines moved into practical application and had the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test.
The element broke into small groups to build a fire and cook their meals using the techniques they learned from the Colombian instructors.
"At first, I thought the instructor was joking when he told us to go make our own fires and cook our own food," said Bilak. "But he definitely was not; we went searching for wood, grabbed some rocks, cut up some meat, cooked it and ate it."
"After learning several types of survival techniques throughout the day, we put you to the test in the end and noticed the tactics we taught you were being utilized," said Giovani. "It is our pleasure to pass on our knowledge to the U.S. Marines, and I hope that they take from this experience and utilize what they learned to pass on to their junior Marines back home."
A-SPS 11 is a United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)-directed operation implemented by Commander, United States Naval Forces Southern Command (COMUSNAVSO), supported by United States Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) and carried out by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 40, USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and a Marine Corps Security Cooperation Task Force.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Marine Forces South, visit http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforsouth.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Southern Command, visit http://www.southcom.mil/.