America's Battalion begins the Network Integration Evaluation 14.2

FORT BLISS, Texas - The semi-annual Network Integration Evaluation began May 5, 2014, at Fort Bliss, Texas. NIE 14.2 differed from the usual four-week exercise by opening its doors for coalition forces from around the world to be able to participate in testing and evaluating the new Joint Battle Command-Platform and test their skills in the open desert of Fort Bliss against a live enemy while using the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, or MILES gear, to record their successes or failures during missions. One of the new forces training during the annual event are Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, mobilized to Texas to train with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

During the first phase of the four-week evaluation, Fox and Echo Company attacked key objectives to enable future operations during NIE. While Golf Company provided security and remained at the ready to reinforce either company if needed.

Golf Company's mission required them to stay ahead of the rest of the battalion to establish vehicle control points. They provided additional security for the other two companies holding the villages and acted as a forward reconnaissance company. Their other mission was to alert the rest of the battalion of enemy threats in the area.

"I want our Marines to get this experience," said Euclid, Ohio native, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Sidhu, a platoon commander with Golf Company. "In my opinion, it's an opportunity for them to exercise leadership and become a tighter outfit. The guys who go through this together will be able to come out as a tighter unit on the other side."

While conducting security patrols and other missions, Golf Co. is taking the opportunity to focus on building their unit cohesion and teaching new Marines their jobs and roles within their squads.

"It's a great opportunity to get our junior Marines out of their comfort zone and into the mindset of flexibility, while operating in a [simulated] combat environment," said Muskogee, Oklahoma native, Cpl. Steven Mashburn, a squad leader with Golf Co. "There are some growing pains with the new Marines, but nothing we didn't expect. They are growing into Marines ready for a deployment. They are learning their job within the fire teams and able to see how everything from the fire team up to the company level works together to accomplish the mission."

Playing a supporting role is vital to accomplishing the battalion's objective. It can be the difference between saving a Marine's life and being close enough to an objective to change the outcome of the mission.

For this particular mission, it's up to the supporting company to be that early warning system for the other companies and to provide the entire battalion with reports on enemy activity in the area so the rest of the battalion can be proactive in their defensive or attack operations.

"The Marines have been performing very well," said Brooklyn, New York native, 1st Sgt. Joseph Mendez, the Golf Company First Sergeant. "Right now Golf Company's mission is to support the main effort. If Fox or Echo Company needs support we're in position to support them with whatever they may need. It can be reinforcing them during an attack, providing them with information vital to their mission or keeping their logistical pipeline open for re-supply. In my seventeen and a half years in, I've been in both the supporting role and main effort. It's not a slap in the face to be in support of other companies. Sometimes that's your role."

"The difference between training here rather than at [Camp] Lejeune is that NIE is something new to everyone," said Sidhu. "It's a great opportunity for everyone to learn and grow; and that's exactly what I see happening."