United States Marines are trained for countless combat situations. As skilled riflemen, they can arm and defend themselves with any weapon. In a hand to hand combat situation, a Marine can take out an enemy with ease. And if need be, the Marines can also serve as riot police as well.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines conducted nonlethal riot exercises at Camp Pendleton, Calif. as seen in the video posted to YouTube in 2014. The footage shows some of the training they have to go through in order to be able to properly manage a rowdy crowd.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines conduct nonlethal riot exercises at Camp Pendleton, California. (AiirSource Military/YouTube)
Their main objectives include protecting themselves and their fellow servicemen while simultaneously combating a dangerous situation in which they are often severely outnumbered. To do so, the Marines are expected to be able to handle riot shields, maneuver together in unison, and defend themselves from debris and people.
Check out the Marines in action in the video below.
The unit featured in the video is training in preparation for an upcoming exercise with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The video shows a number of instances where the Marines walk, shuffle and spin in a large group, always with their shield drawn and weapons at the ready. They form an impenetrable wall with not a single visible gap between them.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines conduct nonlethal riot exercises at Camp Pendleton, California. (AiirSource Military/YouTube)
Another scene shows the Marines getting familiar with being pelted by objects. Their instructors hit them with softballs as the trainees learn to keep the large riot shields steady.
Furthermore, the Marines in training are taught how to properly manage a situation in which individuals try to break through formation. Instructors and fellow Marines fiercely push and shove their way through the wall of trainees, and they must be able to subdue the individuals who make it through to them.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines conduct nonlethal riot exercises at Camp Pendleton, California. (AiirSource Military/YouTube)
In Marine training, there are often no limits on what happens in a given situation. The trainees are constantly under pressure, and Marines trying to make it difficult on them get a taste of their own medicine when the trainees gain control of the situation.
While defense is a primary objective for the Marines, there is an element of offense for them as well. They learn how to properly fire non-lethal rubber bullets from behind their shield during the training as well.
