Pepperell Marine teaches martial arts in Guatemala

By Cpl. Alicia R. Giron, Correspondent Posted: 09/24/2010 07:32:49 AM EDT

PUERTO SANTO TOMAS DE CASTILLA NAVAL BASE, Guatemala – As sweat drips down their faces, Guatemalan Marines keep their eyes and ears open, ready to learn the next Marine Corps martial-arts technique.

For six days, U.S. Marines from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Continuing Promise 2010 stayed at Puerto Santo Tomas De Castilla Naval Base in Guatemala to teach Guatemalan Marines, from Sept. 7-12.

“It was definitely a unique experience being in Guatemala and teaching their Marine force,” said 1st Lt. Jessica M. Weinbrenner, a native of Pepperell and martial-arts instructor with Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Command Element of Special-Purpose MAGTF. “I hope this gives them something they can take back and continue to teach their troops.”

The martial-arts training served as a subject-matter expert exchange, which is only one essential mission of CP10. It gives the opportunity for U.S. Marines and foreign militaries to by teaching one another their knowledge and experiences.

Fifteen Guatemalan Marines endured combat conditioning in the early morning of every MCMAP training day. They participated in various U.S. Marine Corps exercises in boots and utility trousers led by Staff Sgt. Adam L. Snouffer, a section leader with Company A, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Ground Combat Element of Special-Purpose MAGTF.

“Boots and utilities combat conditioning gives a different level of physical training for Marines to step out of their comfort zone… read more Here