CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C -- Reserve Marines and sailors part of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, 4th Marine Division are preparing for the West African Training Cruise here Nov. 6-9 before departing to Ghana on Nov. 10. The Moundsville, W.V. based unit will spend their annual training with African forces from Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Morocco. Planned WATC events include small craft training, riverine operations, live-fire exercises and amphibious raids. "This is going to be an awesome training experience with the West Africans. We will all be able to learn from one another, and if we ever meet up in a real world situation, we'll already have knowledge of how to work and complete the mission together," said Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas D. Ballowe, Co. K's platoon sergeant for WATC. Did they waste any time? Not these reserve leathernecks; they started annual training on "full throttle." The infantrymen began learning and honing small craft tactics- compliments of the 2nd Marine Division's Small Craft Company here, the only one in the Corps. "Basically, we are introducing another avenue for them to get to the fight," said Staff Sgt. Erick Hodge, 1st platoon sergeant, SCC. With the aid of Hodge and six instructors, Co. K began learning small craft tactics on the morning of Nov 7. For most of the Marines, it was the first time entering a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Raft (CRRC). However, there was no hesitation; the Marines jumped head first into the opportunity -- literally. "I knew we were going to get wet, but I didn't think we were going to be swimming," said Lance Cpl. Chris Dunbar, a squad assault man with 3/25, who hails from Morgantown, W.V. During the motor appreciation segment of the course, the reserves had to demonstrate their ability to handle the eight-man vessel without the assistance of "horsepower." This included broaching the craft, flipping it upside down, then righting it. The segment capped off with a paddle race back to shore; where hot coffee awaited. Having learned respect for the engine, the next section was using the CRRC for an amphibious assault. Seven CRRC's holding approximately 45 Marines embarked on their mission of assaulting Onslow Beach here early afternoon. Riding through the creek toward the ocean was an smooth ride, but that soon changed; the crafts began crossing the inlet toward the ocean. Marines lay face first -- water splashing and drenching them on each side of the CRRC -- as an instructor and reserve assistant guided the small vessel through the waves and swells. Once they neared the shore, the instructor gave the word to get ready for landing. The assistant pulled the engine up, the craft hit shore, and the Marines turned the CRRC facing toward the sea and charged the beach. They practiced different tactics throughout the afternoon and the following day. "It's great training; this is one of the main reasons why I wanted to go," Dunbar said. Ballowe explains Co. K is now the only company "in all of the battalion" that has hands-on experience with small crafts to complete amphibious raids. The pre-deployment training they receive here is preparing them for the rest of their AT. The first segment will place them in Ghana where they will complete live-fire exercises, capped off by a 15-hour patrol through the countryside. After completing the Ghana portion, the reserves will meet up with small craft Marines and other forces aboard the High Speed Vessel-2 Swift Nov. 17. The HSV-2, a wave piercing aluminum-hulled catamaran, is a new vessel the U.S. is testing with the capabilities of conducting night flight operations and refueling helicopters at sea. Company K will use CRRC's to complete amphibious raids as it makes its way through the West African coast. "It's an outstanding opportunity to experience training overseas with foreign militaries," said Capt. Jeremy D. Dempsey, commanding officer, Inspector-Instructor staff, Co. K. The WATC has been a regularly scheduled exercise since 1978 to increase interoperability between the U.S. and West African military capabilities while enhancing regional stability.