MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit follows a deployment cycle unlike many other units in the Corps. Once the Command Element of the MEU joins with its Major Subordinate Elements to form the Marine Corps' smallest complete Marine Air Ground Task Force, the MEU embarks on a grueling, six-month predeployment training cycle to prepare for a six to nine month deployment as America's force in readiness.
But once the deployment is over and the elements go their separate ways, the pace does not slow, the training continues, the spear stays sharp.
Since the MEU's return from its latest deployment, the Marines of the 26th MEU Command Element have maintained a blistering pace in their training activities.
The Marines and Sailors began preparing for their next deployment as soon as they returned from their last by fulfilling annual training requirements as well as participating in activities to ready themselves for a deployment almost a year away.
In what many might call the MEU's "downtime," Marines and Sailors continued to hone their warfighting skills in water survival, martial arts, the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, marksmanship, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear training, as well as preparing for the upcoming deployment.
"It's important for Command Element Marines to continue to train for a couple of reasons; one, it's a requirement, and two, after we (join with the MSEs) we won't have a lot of time," said Sgt. Major Andrew L. Yagle, 26th MEU's sergeant major.
The training allows the Marines to maintain their edge in the time between workups and deployments, said Lt. Col. John W. Capdepon, executive officer of the 26th MEU.
"Although routine in nature, the annual training requirements are just as important because they allow us to hone our basic skills," he said.
Capdepon also said immediately following the MEU's return, the primary and special staff officers participated in an offsite conference to determine the direction training would take.
"The offsite allowed the commander with his staff to clearly define the priorities of our post-deployment training; it's those priorities we continue to focus on before we receive our MSEs."
Col. Gregg A. Sturdevant, commanding officer of the 26th MEU, said the Command Element's role in the MEU makes it that much more important to train.
"We have to be as well and fully-trained as possible when we go composite so the Command Element can go about setting the MSEs up for success," he said.
The unique nature of the Command Element adds to the amount of training its troops, and staff and officers, require.
"In the Command Element, everyone has their primary military specialty, but they all have other functions as well; providing security, coordinating plans, etc.," Sturdevant said.
Yagle echoed his commanding officer.
"We have Marines that are very good at their (Military Occupational Specialty), but doing these things in addition to their MOS rounds them out as Marines," he said. "As long as we don't allow these skills to atrophy, then a Marine can be depended on to turn from his MOS, pick up his rifle, handle an enemy prisoner of war, or any other task we may require."
The Marines and Sailors of the 26th MEU continue to train as they prepare to activate as a composite MAGTF consisting of the Command Element, a Ground Combat Element, an Aviation Combat Element, and a Logistics Combat Element.