COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER CAMP FUJI, Japan -- Combat Logistics Company 36 Marines and augments hiked to the grenade range at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, July 12, during Exercise Dragon Fire 2014.
Dragon Fire 14 is the company’s annual Battle Skills Training exercise that focuses on improving the individual and collective combat skills of CLC-36 service members with an emphasis on weapons familiarization training.
“For us, since infantry is not our military occupational specialty, we make sure to maintain proficient in the basics, so it helps to have a refresher course,” said Sgt. Russell Penolan, warehouse chief with CLC-36 and personnel safety officer.
Penolan was one of the four PSOs at the grenade range who instructed service members on proper grenade handling and safety procedures while in the pits.
Sgt. Victor Carrasco, logistics chief with CLC-36 and PSO, said this training is essential for Marines to be technically and tactically proficient in combat.
“Marines need to sustain this type of training because there might be a situation when (privates first class) and lance corporals get thrown into where they might have to pick up a grenade and throw it effectively,” said Carrasco.
Penolan said consequences could be fatal if someone failed to follow the safety standards set in place while at the range. He continued to explain why CLC-36 conducts professional military education that teaches service members what they need to do prior to throwing a live grenade.
“The PSOs were telling us to stay calm and to apply the fundamentals so we’ll be safe when we throw a,” said Pfc. William Santos, a supply clerk with CLC-36. “I was a little nervous because I had a live grenade in my hand, but I was also excited to throw it and hear it explode.”
Santos said despite being a supply clerk, it is beneficial to do field training such as this to maintain and improve his proficiency in the skills he learned during Marine Combat Training.