3rd Med. Bn. trains with M67 grenades

OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.27.2010

Story by Pfc. J Nava 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Marines and sailors of 3rd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, trained with M67 fragmentation grenades at Range 3 here, Sept. 27.

For many of the sailors this was their first experience throwing grenades, and for the Marines, their first time since Marine Combat Training.

“I haven’t trained with grenades since MCT and this has been really good training to get me back up to speed,” said Lance Cpl. Patrick Adams, administrative clerk, 3rd Medical Bn. “I feel very confident in my abilities to use the M67.”

The Marines and sailors started the training off by practicing with M69 practice hand grenades. The M69 allows the Marines and sailors to opportunity to develop muscle-memory of throwing the grenade and also boosts confidence in their abilities when it comes time to employ the M67.

This exercise offered different advantages and training value between the Marines and sailors.

“It’s important for every corpsman to be able to do what the Marines on the ground do,” said Seaman Renaldo Hill, hospital corpsman with 3rd Medical Bn., adding that corpsman must know how to protect themselves if put in a hostile situation. “This training really helps us learn and be comfortable doing that,” he added.

As for the Marines, the training justified the mantra of ‘every Marine a rifleman.’

“As a Marine you’re a rifleman first. You never know when the call is coming, you never know what you have to go do,” said Cpl. Zachary Poe, Motor Transport operator, 3rd Medical Bn. “I know a lot of Motor [Transport] guys that have gone and kicked down doors and never drove a truck while they were in [combat].”

Afterward practicing with the M69, the trainees moved into the cinderblock-lined pits and employed what they learned to blast holes in the ground.

Combined, the Marines and sailors threw multiple grenades during the training.

“I threw [several] grenades today and feel very confident in my abilities, should I ever have to use the M67 in a real situation,” Hill said. “I’m glad I got to come out today.”

• Date Taken: 09.27.2010
• Date Posted: 10.13.2010 07:10
• Story ID: 58007
• Location: OKINAWA, JP