MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Two groups of Marine Aircraft Group 12 noncommissioned officers attended a weapons familiarization class at the Indoor Small Arms Range here Nov. 2 to refresh themselves on the fundamentals of being a Marine rifleman.
“I think the class is very important because every Marine is a rifleman,” said Master Sgt. Rodney Buentello, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron training chief and class instructor. “It’s important for everyone to keep abreast with all weapons because, in today’s war, anybody can go to war at anytime, and the more knowledge you get, the better war fighter you become in the long run.”
The class began with an instructor introduction followed by a period of instruction on the importance of the different weapons systems, the importance of teamwork in combat and the importance of being a rifleman.
“It’s nice to get training like this because as an admin specialist, I don’t get very much time out in the field or very much time to handle these kind of weapons,” said Sgt. Eric Benitez, MAG-12 administrative Specialist.
After the informal periods of instruction, the Marines were brought into the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer where they practiced weapon identification, firing drills and combat tactics; the same type of training grunts do on a regular basis, and the same training that will be important for Marines deploying to Afghanistan in the near future.
“With this war going on, the grunts sometimes need breaks, so the non-infantry guys have to go into rotation and become the infantry Marines,” said Buentello.
After Marines receive orders to combat, they must undergo countless hours of predeployment training before getting sent out to theatre.
Pre-deployment training covers a vast amount of knowledge Marines need to know before deploying; however, several Marines said the weapons familiarization class plays a helpful role in pre-deployment training.
“It’s better to be familiarized with the weapon systems before you go through (predeployment training). That way when you get to (pre-deployment training), you can increase your knowledge instead of starting from scratch,” said Cpl. Elijah M. Selvidge, MAG-12 chemical biological radiological and nuclear non-commissioned officer-in-charge.
After getting familiar with the weapons and practicing combat tactics with crew-served weapons, the Marines practiced aiming and firing discipline while going through programmed real-life scenarios on screen.
“The (Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer) gives you an image to see instead of having a stationary target to shoot at,” said Selvidge. “It’s more of a real-world situation.”
Even though many of the NCOs were familiar with the material taught, they said operating the weapons systems was a blur until they took the refresher class.
“Once they know it, they store it, and when it’s brought up again, they’ll remember it like riding a bike,” said Buentello. “Me being a (grunt), teaching these classes helps me stay abreast with my knowledge as well.”
Buentello said he is willing to begin convoy training, patrol alertness training and other combat-related training based on command request.