POST TRAINING REPORT

Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT 2009)

RP – US Navy

Personal Experiences of SSgt. Gilbert A Ferrer PN (M) (R)

51st Marine Reserve Battalion
(DECLASSIFIED PARTS ONLY)

Last May 21, 2009, the Philippines hosted the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and
Training exercises or CARAT 2009. The exercise lasted for seven days with the first
four days spent on field training and classroom lectures and the remaining days
aboard ships of both navies.

Our unit, the 51st Marine Battalion sent a 10-man contingent to participate on the
exercise including two amphibious landing operations. The members were selected
based from their skills, physical condition, experiences and loyalty to the unit.

BACKGROUND

CARAT is an annual bilateral exercise that embodies the spirit of the longstanding
cooperative relationship between the Philippine Navy and the United States Navy.
This is the 15th CARAT exercise both Navies have participated in. CARAT 09
Exercises will help build the regional assistance capacity for multinational maritime
operations. Its goal is to strengthen the cooperation between the Philippine Navy and
US Navy in deterring intercontinental and trans-border crimes, piracy and maritime
terrorism which are growing concerns of the global community.

The participating ships and units of the Philippine Navy are BRP Dagupan City (LCC-
551), BRP Carlos Albert (Patrol Gunboat 375), BRP Bienvinido Salting (Patrol
Gunboat 112), Naval Special Operations Unit- 5, Naval Air Unit Central’s Philippine
Navy Islander (PNI-320) and the members of the 38th Marine Company, Marine
Battalion Landing Team 8 of the Philippine Marine Corps.

The US Navy participating force consists of one naval aircraft (P-3C Orion) and four
ships: USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD-49), USS CHAFEE (DDG 90) w/SH-60 Seahawk,
USS JOHN S MCCAIN (DDG 56), USNS SAFEGUARD (ARS 50). The members of the
1st Battalion, 124th Marines of Michigan of the US Marine Corps also joined this
exercise.

PRE-INSERTION

The 10-man team reported to NCREV at 1800hrs last May 19, 2009. Our team was
immediately organized into two fire teams with our squad leader MSgt. Jerome Lim
on the command. SSgt. Dennis Chiong was assigned Fire Team Leader, 1st Fire
Team and I was assigned as Fire Team Leader, 2nd Fire Team. We conducted a quick
briefing and reviews to our members including military ethics and tactics, gun safety,
food rationing and weight/load management. We were billeted at the HQ that night
so we can be deployed early to NAVFORCEN the following day.

INSERTION DAY

The team was inserted at 0700HRS to NAVFORCEN and we were temporarily

sheltered at the CMO office while waiting for the next orders. After a few hours
passed, we were ordered by LT.SG Plaza to immediately report to the 38th Marine
Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 8 (MBLT 8) led by the most capable 1LT.
Casas, the company Executive Officer. A few officers was also there to receive us
including Capt. Densing, 2Lt. Benolio, 2Lt. Malic and 2Lt. Quinanola. After a few
welcoming words from Lt. Casas, he immediately ordered us to integrate to the
company which were temporarily sheltered at the NAVFORCEN Gym.

The regular Philippine Marines which my team often called “The REGS” were so
accommodating despite the fact that we are reservist. There was an immediate
exchange of hellos and “getting-to-know” conversations and “where-you-from” talks
followed when we sat down and took a rest inside the gym. After a few hours inside
the gym, our XO ordered formation of the entire company. The regular members of
the company formed on the middle while our contingent formed on the right side. A
group of new PMA graduates who signified to the Philippine Marine Corps formed on
the front. The XO ordered members of the PMA contingent to introduce themselves
one by one.

Our team soon followed introducing ourselves individually. When I introduced myself
to the company, I was surprised when the entire company were cheering at me but
later knew the reason why was because there was a Corpsman named Sgt. Edward
Ferrer who started the applause and cheers by shouting “AGAW!” or cousin. After
the introduction, the XO ordered us back to the benches while waiting for further
instructions.

The ARRIVAL

After a few hours of idly waiting in the gym, a couple of busload of US Marines
arrived. Following the convoy were trucks carrying portalets, supplies and water.
Some of our company members were shocked and awed by the way Americans were
treated by their government. Air-conditioned buses, their gears, their individual
tents but most significantly, their modern weaponry. From then on, one can see the
disparity of the two forces. One USMC officer liaised immediately to our XO and
immediately introduced their counterparts.

SETUP CAMP

Our XO ordered us to setup camp near the gym. The REGS setup their camp by
attaching two ponchos together and by using the cord and some few tree branches
that they cut from the base, they were able to create makeshift tents unlike their
American counterparts who were issued individual tents made probably by Coleman.
I’ll give the Philippine Marines bonus points for that for their creativity. It was
probably even better than what the Americans are using since it has enough
ventilation and elevation. My squad immediately setup the blue DSWD tent that we
brought from HQ. After a few minutes, we are all done. The 38th Marine Company’s
Platoon Sergeant approached us and assigned and integrated us to their company. I
was assigned to 2nd Platoon, 2nd Squad. Our squad leader ordered me immediately
to setup camp using my issued ponchos.

INTRODUCTION

After everybody had setup their camp, we were then ordered to proceed to the gym
for proper introduction to our American counterparts. The introduction was short
and simple, and we were dismissed afterwards. The dismissal made us mingle with
the USMC members immediately, exchanging hellos, what’s your name and rank,
what you do in a squad sort of questions. But what surprises me a lot at that time
was when I found out that almost all of them are reservist, from the 124th Marines
Reserve based in Michigan. I was so astonished by what I saw and heard that at
that moment, I feel so proud to introduce myself as a reservist. A lot of USMC
members came to me and introduced themselves. They were amazed at my fluency
in English. They asked me about it and I told them that aside from being a reservist,
I have a day job, as a Vice-President of an American company based in Los Angeles,
USA and in Cebu, Philippines. At that moment on, they treated me as one of their
buddies although they still respect my rank as a Staff Sergeant.

TRAINING DAY

The night was short, morning came, and each member were rallied and formed by
platoon. My platoon lined up at the tennis court at exactly 0700hrs while the other
platoon rallied inside the gym. A platoon of USMC members also gathered at the
court and blended with us. Physical Training was obviously very tough and
strenuous. After almost an hour of stretching, calisthenics, and push-ups, more
push-ups and a lot more, we then all went to the tracks. The Philippine Marines
were so excited to jog with the Americans. When it started, there was a steady pace
of movement when suddenly USMC members sprinted. A few REGS tried to keep
pace and some tried to outrun them but failed. Some were left at the tail end, one
REG I was with was so slow but when I asked him what’s the problem he told me he
just can’t keep a good run because of the injuries and wounds he suffered during
combat in Basilan, one shrapnel to the hip and one bullet pierced still in his leg. I
pitied him and stayed by his side. Breakfast with PMC were so far different from the
USMC. Our company cooked real gourmet food every meal while the USMC ate only
MREs the entire duration of the exercise. One US Marine was so fed up with eating
MREs that he decided to sneak out of their perimeter and asked one Philippine
Marine to buy him two sticks of pork BBQ for one dollar.

The jogging was strenuous, soon after a quick shower. The entire companies of both
the PMC and the USMC were separated by two. 1st platoon were ordered to go to the
range for the live exercise while our platoon stayed for the martial arts class. Pitiki
Tersia, the official Philippine Marines martial arts was for me the most brutal martial
arts of all, and the Americans concurred. It was invented not to disarm an opponent
but to KILL the opponent. The Americans were so stunned by the brutality and the
effectiveness of the art that they were curios enough to learn despite the scorching
heat of the sun that day. The instructor then ordered us to pair with a US Marine to
apply the techniques that they just taught. My sparring partner, a blonde, big tall GI
was so confident that he could take me down using the technique but he failed. I was
able to outwit him and threw him to the ground until he begs me no more. Now I
realized what the REGS were saying that we are far better than them in combat.

The next class was Combat Life Saver. A Navy Corpsmen was kind enough to show
us the latest equipment and tools that they used in aiding a wounded Marine in
combat. He taught us techniques to use when applying first aid to the wounded and
what to do until Medivac arrives. Our Marines also showed them what we do and an
exchange of combat stories followed.

The live fire exercise was the most awesome display of American military oversupply.
Ammunitions were over the place and the Americans gave us the chance to fire
whenever we want to. They assisted us in firing our own issued M4s and M16s, they
also gave us ammos for the M60 and the M249 machine guns. Some who had
pistols were given .45 cal rounds too. It was the first time that I decline to fire a gun
in a range. The massive recoil of the M60 machine with almost 200 rounds that I
fired really hurts my shoulder. The most significant part of the live fire exercise was
the Night Fighting System exercise. We were given night vision goggles or NVG and
rifles who had Advance Night Procurement Equipment(Gen2) or ANPEQ2. It was the
most sophisticated night vision equipment that I have ever tried. Having those in
our arsenal would prove to be useful combined with the combat experience of our
Marines, no enemy would stand chance.

The next training day, PT again and running again. Then a couple of field exercises
followed, first was MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain). It was more on
Close Quarters Combat or CQB that the Philippine Marines were very much familiar
with. I may have no combat experiences but I had undergone a lot of trainings with
it during my government service in the past. The Americans taught us mostly CQB
in an urban area like Iraq which is so far different from our urban areas and our
jungles here in the Philippines. We taught them also how we fight our enemies in
this situation. Finally they asked us to execute what they just taught us and they
were so impressed how we had learned it so fast and swiftly implement the
technique. One US Marine approached me and told me that it took them weeks to
execute the technique perfectly. From room to room search, hallway maneuvers,
tagging, house-to-house clearing and a lot more.

The Americans also taught us Prisoner Handling, Counter Sniping and checkpoint
management which we learned so quickly. The whole company both US and RP
Marines were so exhausted that day. There was a good part though amidst all these
hardships in the training, the Marines called it BARTER or TRADING, an art of
exchanging goods and services used by our ancestors centuries and centuries ago is
still being practice within these exercises. I traded my first butterfly knife with a
pouch and the second one with shooting glasses. A lot of REGS traded their bolo
knives, company shirts, shemaghs, boonie hats, caps, or whatever they can grab
from their pouches with Camelbaks, Gerbers, flashlights, M16 magazines and a lot
more.

BUDOL FIGHT

Night came and the top commanders of the USMC prepared a huge dinner Philippine
Marines style for all of the participants of the exercise. The exotic dinner was called
the “BUDOL FIGHT”, a unique dinner of mixed pork, chicken, pancit, rice and just
about anything laid carefully in banana leaves set in a very long table. A US Marine
officer gave a quick intro about the unique dinner his Marines will dig into and a few
minutes later, the BUDOL FIGHT began. Each Marine both US and RP soon found
themselves fighting for their piece of meat at the table but were very happy in doing
so since everybody was so glad that the field training exercise was finally over...that
means, all USMC members will be boarding the USS Harpers Ferry and will have the
hot shower and hot chow that they’ve long been craving for.

ALL ABOARD

The sun was up early and so as the Marines. The XO informed all the platoon
leaders of the boat assignments of each Philippine Marine. I was supposedly
assigned to our Philippine Navy boat BRP Dagupan City but was later informed by
our platoon sergeant that I was to board the USS Harpers Ferry instead upon request
by the USMC field commander for me to work as an interpreter for the Philippine
Marines on board the US ship.
We went aboard the ship early in the afternoon and were organized at the flight deck
on board the USS Harpers Ferry while waiting for instructions. The USMC leadership
then told us to store all our packs to our designated berthing stations. We were also
ordered to put tape and label with our names on each rifle that we are carrying to be
deposited to their arsenal. But the best part of the boarding was the chow at the
mess hall or as what the US Marines call the chow hall. Every single Philippine
Marine was shocked and awed by the food, and the variety of food available at the
hall. Drinks were plentiful and you can refill it as much as you want to. Our Marines
was so impressed about it and chatted about how the US government really treats its
servicemen well. We were all so envious about how their government provides them
with all what they possibly need and want. For sure, every one of us would dream of
having such a supportive and powerful government who takes care of its country and
the people who swore to defend it.

The USS Harpers Ferry commanders gave liberty to all their Marines and sailors. The
quick freedom gave these servicemen a quick tour of Cebu inside a large mall near
the port area. Some marines bought souvenirs and some tried some restaurants.
They were so happy and some of them got drunk after a quick visit to the bars.
They were all given a liberty but has to return to the ship at 2200hrs or else face a
punishment even I don’t want to know. After the liberty which I also enjoyed, we all
went to bed early to prepare for the Argao practice landing.

PRACTICE LANDING

The REGS’ leadership informed us early in the morning that we were not included on
the first beach assault in Argao, Cebu. We were a little surprised and disappointed
then but at the same time glad that we can rest ourselves at our bunks from the
rigorous training that we underwent back at the base. We were then called to the
chow hall, rest and then again, chow hall and rest. Our squad leader informed us to
prepare our gears and ready ourselves for the final assault day tomorrow. A USMC
Corporal was tasked to interview our REGS that night. Most questions were very
simple and straightforward like why do you join the Marines, are we winning the fight
against terrorism, how long have you been in service, sort of things. I was asked to
interpret for our REGS since most of them aren’t that fluent in English or not that
quick to understand the American slang. But one question from the US Marine
Corporal to a Philippine Marine Gunney that struck me the most was why is our
Marine emblem patched on our chest . He answered with confidence that the reason
why its on our chest because it where the heart is. That every single Philippine
Marine is dedicated, loyal and always faithful to the corps. I smiled at that very
moment and made me very proud to be a Marine reservist. We also said farewell to
our American friends that we made buddies aboard their ship. The USS Harpers
Ferry is now heading towards Sulu Sea. I hit the sack at exactly 2300hrs.

D-DAY

My alarm went off at 0430hrs but some REGS were already awake and busy
preparing for the big day. We all went altogether to the chow hall at 0530hrs with
other Philippine Marines and US Marines. The chow was quick and we all went back
to our berth to clean it and prep our stuff. We then went to the ship’s armory to
retrieve our rifles and pistols. The whole company of US and RP Marines gathered at
the launch pads for final instructions during the beach landing. We were assigned to
squads that will eventually be our assault teams on board the Amphibious Assault
Vehicle or AAV. Then the signal came, we all boarded the AAV and off we go to the
waters in front of Balamban. The ride was actually worst than what the US Marines
told me, choppy, hot and uncomfortable. Some Marines got seasick and eventually
threw up on their standard issued seasick bags. I was able to held on easily since
I’ve always ride boats since I was a kid living in a fishing village and me being a
rescue diver makes me seasick-proof as I’m always aboard a boat when I’m diving.

The AAV that we were riding finally hit land and opened its hatches for us to
disembark quickly. We were so surprised to find out that we did not land on a beach
but landed on a marsh area of Balamban. The place was a total wetland with sharp,
thorny plants and mangrove trees scattered all over. The water was about waist
high and we were ordered to advance towards the heavy marshland. The Philippine
Marines spearheaded the assault while the US Marines followed. Our squad leader
communicated with us using handsignals and whispers while the US Marines were
shouting and cursing like kids lost in the forest. My squad leader was very
professional in handling the situation although we had these thoughts in our heads
that this could be the wrong landing zone or LZ. A radio instruction came informing
us that we have to turn right towards the beach which was the target zone. We
marched there thru mud, water, leeches, sharp tree roots and thorny branches with
our packs that are as heavy as our body. We were delighted to see the rest of the
troops waiting for us in the beach. They greeted us with success of the entire
operation. Navy officials was there too together with some media personalities. The
whole company of Philippine Marines were there too exhausted but were so very
happy.

DISMISS

My whole platoon was there with our XO along with other officers. Members of my
mother unit was there too informing our contingent that we should return to our
base camp which is located a few meters from the landing site. I was at first
hesitant to go back since I haven’t said goodbyes to the REGS yet. I approached
them and said goodbyes having this weird feeling inside me. SSgt. Chiong also said
goodbyes to them having the same weird feeling within him. The Naval exercise
lasted for 7 days and within those days we created a bond with the Philippine
Marines specially the 38th Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 8. That
bonding opened our eyes specially us the reservist, now trusting with all our hearts
that these extraordinary men are ready to sacrifice their lives for our country. The
civilians do pay taxes for their salaries but our Marines repaid it with their lives.
Every single day I was with our Marines new worlds were unfolding before me.
Patriotism flows within their veins flaming with honor and heroism thru their hearts.
I did said goodbyes while holding back the tears, one REG came to me and said
“Marines don’t cry tears today, just keep it for tomorrow”, I know he was also
holding back his tears. If only all Filipinos have the same patriotic spirit like our
Marines and like every single Americans do, our nation would be as great as any
nation in this world. As we were marching to our base camp turning our backs at
them, I just could not resist looking back at our MARINES again…READY, CAPABLE,
AND ALWAYS FAITHFUL…to our flag and to our people..UWAH!