31st MEU’s “Boat” Company shows Japanese soldiers their craft

Sergeant Benjamin M. Miller (right), chief scout swimmer for Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Los Angeles, draws out formations to designated scout swimmers with the 12th Infantry Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces, during familiarization training here, June 3. The Marines and Sailors of Company F., or “Boat” Company, integrated a platoon of Japanese soldiers as part of the Japanese Observer Exchange Program, where the soldiers take an observational role during the 31st MEU’s pre-deployment training. The 31st MEU and Japanese Self Defense Forces continually fortify their bond through shared training in order to enhance security and stability in the Asia Pacific region.