“It is easy to
die! Now you must learn how to survive.”
With that, Chief Master Sgt. Mong Somsat of the Royal
Thai Marines started a five-day jungle training exercise between U.S. and
Thai Marines during the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training
exercise here.
Corporal
Jason Watts, Peoria, IL native, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, LF CARAT,
III MEF, picks up a cobra during jungle survival training in Thailand. A
USMC photograph by L Cpl Antonio J. Vega
U.S. Marines from Landing Force CARAT, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, along with a dozen of their Thai counterparts
participated in an intensive practical training exercise. This included
all aspects of jungle survival - Marine style.
“The terrain in Thailand is absolutely different from
the U.S. We can teach you many things you have never seen before -
important survival skills in areas that may be new to you,” said Somsat,
who goes by his nickname, Tiger.
He and four other Thai experts taught 15 U. S. Marines
about jungle survival essentials: shelter, water and food gathering,
plants, poisons and animals.
Subduing and catching a cobra captivated the attention
of every Marine - American and Thai. With the snake’s limited radial
view, U.S. Marines learned how to stay out of the cobra’s sight.
Corporal
Taylor Slate, Atlanta, GA native, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, LF CARAT,
III MEF, devours a scorpion during jungle survival training in Thailand.
LF CARAT is a series of bilateral training exercises with Brunei,
Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
A USMC photograph by L Cpl Antonio J. Vega
When his turn came, each Marine deftly used one unseen
hand to reduce the snake from the striking position. He then grabbed it by
the tail or neck.
“This is probably the most incredible thing I’ve
ever done,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua Rapier, Combat Service Support
Detachment-37, LF CARAT.
The 22-year-old Auburn, Wash., native was the first
U.S. Marine to step forward and tame an eight-foot long king cobra.
The Thais taught the Americans how resourceful they
must be in the jungle. “Use everything,” said Somsat. “When born, we
are all little chickens, and we spend the balance of our lives fighting to
survive.
“What will be will be, but you must be prepared.”
He and his crew described some of the 13,000 plants in
Thailand. Approximately 50 percent of those are edible.
Fragrant Thai lemon grass effectively repels
mosquitoes; so Thai farmers ground and blend it with water to spray on
their crops. U.S. Marines learned that Thai ginger helps reduce fever.
Thai eggplant assists blood clotting, and indigenous peas provide a good
source of protein.
Somsat and the other instructors encouraged the U.S.
Marines to touch, taste and smell more than 50 Thai foods found in the
wild. He gave basic guidance every jungle-surviving Marine needs.
“If you see monkey eat, you eat. If monkey no eat,
you no eat - you eat the monkey.”
U.S. Marines shared their expertise as well. During the
five-day period, U.S. Marines showed their counterparts variations of
small boat training, scout swimming, beach survey and insertion and
extraction.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our Marines to
not only hone their skills, but share the experiences they have had in our
courses of study,” said Navarre, Ohio, native Staff Sgt. Mark E. Frease.
CARAT, a series of bilateral exercises, takes place
throughout Southeast Asia each year. It aims to build interoperability and
regional cooperation. In addition to valuable information, Marines make
new friends during the exercises.
LF CARAT Marines embarked USS Anchorage (LSD 36) in
Japan before heading to Southeast Asia. USS Vincennes (CG 49), USS George
Philip (FFG 12) and USCG Morgenthau (WHEC 722), are also taking part in
this eighth annual CARAT exercise.
Mrs.
Hogarth, Mr. Naqvi (right) and the Garden International School students
presented Pattaya Mail with a souvenir GIS gift as a token of their
appreciation.
GIS
students peruse the Pattaya Mail before learning how it is all put
together.
Sue
explains the Pattaya Mail system to the visiting students and teachers.
Supachai
Koysap, Fespic Games gold medal winner, lit the torch during the opening
ceremony.
