Aiming in on table three

Photo By Sgt. Erik Brooks | Lance Cpl. Anthony R. Surprenant fires shots during a table three shooting platform here March 5. While conducting table three the Marines wore a full combat load while engaging targets allowing them to operate in weight similar to what they would wear in combat. Surprenant is a machinist with Combat Logistic Regiment 35 which is a part of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  

COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER, CAMP FUJI, AICHI, JAPAN

03.05.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Erik Brooks 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FUJI, Japan - Smoke filled the chilled air as Marines fired at the targets. As the bullets struck, the instructors bellowed commands to the Marines.

Marines with Combat Logistic Regiment 35 executed table three firing evolution in a detailed shooting platform here March 5. CLR-35 is part of 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

“Table three is learning the basic necessary skills needed in a combat environment,” said Staff Sgt. Jason G. Kelley, a weapons and tactics instructor for the tactical readiness and training section, 3rd MLG, III MEF.

During table three, one of the first things they learn is how to handle malfunctions and mishaps, said Kelley.

“Practicing malfunctions and mishaps allows the Marines to know how to quickly and effectively get their weapon back into the fight,” said Kelley.

After learning how to handle the malfunctions and mishaps, the Marines moved on to firing.

There are multiple stages of firing the Marines must go through. The first drill consists of shooting hammer pairs, which are two shots in the center of the target, and failure to stop, which is two shots in the center of the target and one at the top of the target, said Kelley.

“In these stages, you have to think quickly,” said Sgt. Asdrubal F. Herrera, a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, CLR-35, 3rd MLG, III MEF. “It is harder than the normal range once a year because the distances are not known.”

While shooting these drills, the Marines are pivoting from a 90 degree angle to engage the targets, said Kelley.

“This drill allows the Marines to get used to engaging the enemy with a combat load on,” said Herrera.

The Marines then worked on speed and tactical reloads, said Kelley. A speed reload is when the magazine has no more rounds forcing the Marine to release the empty magazine, letting it fall to the deck and he or she then inserts a magazine with enough rounds to reengage the enemy.

A tactical reload is when the Marine retains the magazine after ejecting it then replaces it with a full one, said Kelley.

The final drill is movement to contact, said Lance Cpl. Ben G. Stauffer, an instructor and field military policeman with CLR-35, 3rd MLG, III MEF.

“During this drill the Marines learned to prioritize targets while on the move,” said Stauffer. “The Marines were taught to take down the targets who posed the most threat.”

Table three is as close the Marines can get to training in a realistic combat environment without actually being in actual combat, said Herrera.

“It breaks up the monotony of the once a year shoot and provides good training for the Marines,” said Stauffer.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2012
• Date Posted: 03.13.2012 22:52
• Story ID: 85205
• Location: COMBINED ARMS TRAINING CENTER, CAMP FUJI, AICHI, JP