Marines are thrill seekers, known for running toward the sounds of chaos.

It’s in their blood to adapt and overcome all obstacles in their way. This is what they are made of. It is who they are.

If there’s a river, they’ll cross it. If there’s a mountain, they’ll climb it. If there’s a rigorous five day mountain warfare training course in South Korea, they’ll conquer it.

Okinawa based U.S. Marines did just that by completing the mountain warfare training course March 16-20 at the 1st Republic of Korea Marine Division Mountain Warfare Training Center in Pohang, South Korea.

The U.S. Marines are from 81 mm Mortars Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment all currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment under the unit deployment program as well as the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and III MEF Band.

The instructors are Republic of Korea Marines with Mountain Warfare Training Unit, 1st ROK Marine Division.

The U.S. Marines were tested daily with constant physical training while learning different methods on how to rappel, tie knots, cross rope bridges, climb rock walls and fast rope.

The training is part of Korea Marine Exchange Program 15-14.2, a combined training exercise designed to enhance the Republic of Korea and U.S. alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen their military capabilities and interoperability.

“Part of our job as 5th ANGLICO is to partner with the ROK Marine Corps if we were to operate here on the peninsula,” said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Josh K. Gelerter, the commanding officer with 5th ANGLICO. “Part of doing that is being able to maneuver with them in whatever form of maneuver they take. This week was about learning another form of maneuver for us to get to the fight if duty should call and we need to go to the fight with the ROK Marine Corps.”

The training was an exciting way to build confidence with new skills, according to many of the Marines.

“This is my first time training in Korea and I think this is a great opportunity for us to be here building this relationship with the ROK Marines,” said U.S. Marine Pfc. Zach C. Hagestad, a fire support man with 5th ANGLICO, from Minneapolis, Minnesota. “I think I learned a lot this week and I gained a lot of confidence in myself doing these kinds of things.”

The Korean Marines go through four weeks of training before they can earn a spot in the Mountain Warfare Training Unit, and their training continues well beyond the day they become instructors.

“These instructors were absolutely phenomenal,” said U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. James W. Clingan, a fire support man with 5th ANGLICO, from Milford, Delaware. “They were some of the, if not the most, disciplined cadre of instructors I’ve ever seen in my military career. They are very professional and very proficient at what they do, and it shows in their instruction.”

This exercise familiarizes U.S. Marines with the Korean Peninsula and builds upon an existing relationship.

“It’s fun training the U.S. Marines,” said Korean Marine Sgt. Sung Ho Ahn, a mountain warfare instructor. “We like the energy they bring to the training. It’s always just an honor. We know that U.S. Marines are the strongest in the world and we respect that.”