1st Battalion, 4th Marines
Weapons Company
Company Commander: Captain Jackie L. Schiller
Executive Officer: 1st Lieutenant Eric B. Willis
Company 1stSgt: Brian W. Taylor
1st Battalion 4th Marines
Weapons Company
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Family, Friends, Loved Ones of the Wolfpack,
I am sure you have all noticed that we are moving at the speed of light accomplishing much more than the average unit! Looking back we have done Division Schools at Camp Pendleton; Mountain Warrior at Bridgeport, CA; Mojave Viper at 29 Palms, CA; and now we are aggressively into the SOTG (Special Operations Training Group) work-up for the MEU!
The Pack has been working through a new issue of vehicle (the vehicles are not new, just new to us) and prepping our gear for execution during the SOTG CAAT/LAR Raid Package going 25-29 January. This package is designed to get both CAAT Platoons and LAR Platoon well versed and lethal in their execution of a raid on some type of objective; whether it be an enemy or securing and protecting an embassy, airport, or some other valuable terrain. We will be put through our paces this coming week, validating SOPs while moving 100mph.
The first two weeks of February will consist of the SOTG TRAP (Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel) courses will go; the first week being SOTG TRAP- Air version, and the second week being SOTG TRAP- Surface version. 81mm Mortar Platoon will be heavily involved in these two courses.
Then after the SOTG courses we'll take a week preparing gear to be loaded on ship and then conduct PMINT (Phibron MEU Integration) from 22 Feb to 03 Apr. This exercise will be the first rehearsal with the 3-Ship Navy and BLT 1/4 working together. We expect a lot of chaos, but that is the purpose...to work through it all and become more synergistic.
All through the period described above, it is my desire to maximize time off for the Marines. For us all to improve weekly in the four realms; physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually. With that said, we will take short days as often as we can, as well as release the Marines for a 72 as available.
Realize with the different elements of Weapons Company having different requirements, most of this time off will be based off the individual platoon's mission and tasks. I will close this month's letter out saying thank you to the family and loved ones for supporting your Marine. These young men are a privileged to work for and I am constantly humbled by their sacrifice.
Families, stay engaged, we have many family events coming up!
Optimus Courtrai,
Capt Schiller
