Female Marines sharpen their nails...*L*...

**50cal** · 03-12-2008, 11:28 AM

Lionesses train to "prowl" al-Anbar

March 12, 2008; Submitted on: 03/12/2008 01:07:50 AM ; Story ID#: 20083121750

By Lance Cpl. Cindy G. Alejandrez, 1st Marine Logistics Group
AL-ASAD, Iraq (March 12, 2008) -- In an effort to accede to the Iraqi culture, female Marines and Sailors completed Lioness training with Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division, Feb. 28.

The 14 Lionesses will search female Iraqis for suicide vests, fake identification and contraband at vehicle and entry control points.

“I volunteered for the Lioness program to go out and search Iraqi females to ensure the safety of the Marines at my post,” explained Cpl. Rachel Trimble, a 22-year-old field radio operator with Communications Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, from San Diego.

Lionesses were taught basic Arabic language skills, searching procedures, combat life saving skills, self-defense training. They also had a refresher course in weapons handling and spent time on the rifle range to help prepare them for the hazardous duty.

“We give (Lionesses) the knowledge and skills to survive,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gene A. Bridgman, a 45-year-old from Garden City, Kan., regimental gunner, RCT-5, 1st MarDiv, who stressed the importance of safety.

“We took from the training (RCT-2) was doing, took feedback from the last Lionesses and taught what worked…” explained Bridgman.

One important change to the previous curriculum was the amount of language training. The education emphasized its importance by being taught Arabic daily.

“If they know a little language, it will go a long way,” said Bridgman.

Honing their language skills was challenging, said Cpl. Nicole K. Estrada, a 21-year old from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., but retaining the phrases is important for later use while on post.

“Instead of using sign language, we will be able to talk to them so they can understand us when we search them,” explained Estrada, who is a field wireman with Comm. Co., 1 MLG. “It will put them more at ease to know what we are telling them.”

For all the Lionesses here, the Lioness program is an opportunity to participate in a more direct role for a safer Iraq. Their prowess will be put to the test when they get to their post.

-30-

ballin_n_shawlin · 05-14-2008, 03:33 PM

pretty cho!!! i should send this 2 my cousin.. she might be interested in doing it.. :P (except she's not a marine)

**Ndnsoldierboy** · 05-14-2008, 04:06 PM

Semper Fi...carry on.

03-12-2008, 11:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
50cal Natural Born Killer...... Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: In a socialist state..... Posts: 7,133	*Female Marines sharpen their nails...L...* Lionesses train to "prowl" al-Anbar March 12, 2008; Submitted on: 03/12/2008 01:07:50 AM ; Story ID#: 20083121750 By Lance Cpl. Cindy G. Alejandrez, 1st Marine Logistics Group AL-ASAD, Iraq (March 12, 2008) -- In an effort to accede to the Iraqi culture, female Marines and Sailors completed Lioness training with Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division, Feb. 28. The 14 Lionesses will search female Iraqis for suicide vests, fake identification and contraband at vehicle and entry control points. “I volunteered for the Lioness program to go out and search Iraqi females to ensure the safety of the Marines at my post,” explained Cpl. Rachel Trimble, a 22-year-old field radio operator with Communications Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, from San Diego. Lionesses were taught basic Arabic language skills, searching procedures, combat life saving skills, self-defense training. They also had a refresher course in weapons handling and spent time on the rifle range to help prepare them for the hazardous duty. “We give (Lionesses) the knowledge and skills to survive,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gene A. Bridgman, a 45-year-old from Garden City, Kan., regimental gunner, RCT-5, 1st MarDiv, who stressed the importance of safety. “We took from the training (RCT-2) was doing, took feedback from the last Lionesses and taught what worked…” explained Bridgman. One important change to the previous curriculum was the amount of language training. The education emphasized its importance by being taught Arabic daily. “If they know a little language, it will go a long way,” said Bridgman. Honing their language skills was challenging, said Cpl. Nicole K. Estrada, a 21-year old from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., but retaining the phrases is important for later use while on post. “Instead of using sign language, we will be able to talk to them so they can understand us when we search them,” explained Estrada, who is a field wireman with Comm. Co., 1 MLG. “It will put them more at ease to know what we are telling them.” For all the Lionesses here, the Lioness program is an opportunity to participate in a more direct role for a safer Iraq. Their prowess will be put to the test when they get to their post. -30- __________________ "Sweat dries, blood clots, bones heal. Suck it up. Be a Marine"

05-14-2008, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
ballin_n_shawlin Cinpi Win~Ballin-n-Shawli Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pine Ridge Posts: 185 Blog Entries: 1	pretty cho!!! i should send this 2 my cousin.. she might be interested in doing it.. :P (except she's not a marine) __________________ You can't double team a Triple Threat The Black Hills are NOT for sale ps. i'm still the greatest~n i'm prettylol

05-14-2008, 04:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ndnsoldierboy PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Home of the Brave Posts: 11,640	Semper Fi...carry on. __________________ R.I.P. my Bros from the 1st MAR DIV, 3rd MAR DIV, 25th I.D., 10th MTN DIV, who gave their lives in the Cold War, Marines we lost in Korea during Team Spirit '89 & Okinawa '89- bodies never recovered, Panama, 1st Gulf War, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq... Semper Fi...

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