MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Marines went hot during their pistol detail’s first day of live fire at the Indoor Small Arms Range here Monday.
A majority of the pistol detail was comprised of Provost Marshal’s Office Marines, except one, the others were staff noncommisioned officers conducting their annnual pistol qulification. Cpl. Andrea Olguin, combat photographer was the only shooter present who was neither PMO or a SNCO.
“When we do deploy and when we’re out on patrols, with us being combat camera, they like us to have a side arm,” said Olguin. “For whatever reason, if we can’t have our rifle with us, we’ll still have some kind of weapon.”
Several other military occupational specialties including: radio operators, Navy corpsmen, religious program specialists, motor transportation operators, armorers and explosive ordnance disposal Marines rate pistol qualifications in their MOS.
Additionally, exceptional Marines can be waivered pistol qualifications through their chain-of-command.
“If it’s not job related, they have to be recommended by their (officer in charge) in order to be able to qualify for (the pistol),” said Staff Sgt. Jon Colbert, detail officer in charge.
Courses like the Wolf Tactical Reconnaissance and Personal Protection (Wolf T.R.A.P.P. course are offered to all interested in getting training with the M9 pistol.
Other available courses involving M9 pistol training are the Combat Marksmanship Course, The Combat marksmanship traininer course and the Range Safety Officers course.
To find out course information or dates for upcoming courses, contact your unit’s Section 3 or training chief.