Army Reserve Capt. Marcus C. Therrien has completed the Army combat skills training at Fort McCoy, Sparta, Wis. The training is an Army theater immersion mobilization training for units deploying overseas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Soldiers prepare by participating in extensive training on equipment and procedures to learn skills needed to be successful in their mission objectives while deployed. The training provides soldiers specific combat, survival and warrior skills.

The 18-hour, 60-day training period places soldiers in an environment and situations that realistically replicate the conditions they will experience while deployed at a forward operating base overseas.

The training includes weapons qualification, warrior tasks, leadership tactics, improvised explosive devices, ground assault convoy operations, urban operations, entry control point operations, driving procedures, first aid, combat life saving, protective mask familiarity and confidence, detainee operations, hand-to-hand combat, reflexive fire, grenade throwing and targeting, culture/customs/language, land navigation, physical fitness and other specific training requirements.

Therrien, a nurse, has served in the military for 23 years. He is the son of Joan C. Therrien of Marysville, Wash. His wife, Amy, is the daughter of Felix and Sheila Otero-Otero of Bryant Pond. In 1980, Therrien graduated from South Portland High School and received a nursing degree in 1994 from Southern Maine Community College