CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - More than 50 Marines attached to Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group qualified with M-1014 Joint Service Combat Shotguns here, May 22.
Although many of the service members came from different units, they have the same mission: protect Marine Corps munitions.
“Marines who guard ammunition have to use shotguns,” said Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Giacomelli, an ammunition technician with Ammunition Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd MLG and the primary marksman instructor for the event. “The low velocity of the [shotgun rounds] won’t detonate ammunition if it hits it. [High-speed projectiles] from rifles can set off the explosives, and we wouldn’t want that.”
The Marines are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in the near future. They are expected to stand watch and protect the ammunition for the troops in their area of operation.
“The first time I fired a shotgun, I didn’t really know what I was doing,” said Cpl. Quan M. Le, an ammunition technician with Ammunition Co. “The second time was more enjoyable because I knew what I was doing. If we’re guarding ammunition, I think these Marines can effectively protect the [ammunition supply points] from attacks.”
An ASP is a location organized to house ammunition, explosives and explosive initiating devices on a military installation. It is important for service members to know how to properly guard the ASP in the event of an incursion.
The Marines shot from various distances and in three positions: standing, kneeling and prone. Each time the service members fired built confidence in their abilities to use the weapons.
“The Marines did really well,” said Giacomelli. “Everyone’s seen those videos where someone shoots a shotgun and gets kicked around by it, but once we get the Marines in the proper [stance], they realize [the recoil] isn’t bad. They just have to get past those first two shots.”