A Marine learns early in his career, "My rifle is my best friend." More so than the man watching his back or the ‘doc’ keeping him healthy, his rifle is his life. But, every friendship has problems, and every weapon could malfunction. When an M16 service rifle isn’t available or not the right tool for the job, Marines must be able to turn to a friend who can back them up. These friends can come in the form of shotguns, pistols or a wide variety of weapons the military trusts.
Combat Logistics Company 36 Marines trained in proficiency with the M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun and the M9 Service Pistol here at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji July 13, 2012, during Exercise Dragon Fire II.
Dragon Fire II is an infantry skills combat training-based exercise built around preparing CLC-36 Marines for a combat environment and keeping them proficient in various types of scenarios.
At any instance, any Marine can be pulled for any kind of job, said Sgt. Joey L. Marbley, CLC- 36 post security officer. Even aboard station, Provost Marshal’s Office military policemen take augments, auxiliary Marines who augment PMO ranks for certain events. This training has the chance to help Marines in a garrison environment, Marbley added.
Many Marines aren’t trained in the concepts behind the shotgun or pistol weapon systems. This training allows them to be far more adaptable.
“There was quite a few (Marines) who had never shot a pistol before and knew just what they learned from movies,” said Marbley. “They were just totally wrong as far as holding the weapon. I corrected them on their holds and a lot of them would start feeling more confident and being more proficient with the weapon.”
The 9mm pistol is used within the military and law enforcement agencies due to its versatility.
“The nine millimeter is a great pistol for beginners and now a lot of these Marines might be able to pick up other pistols and, applying the concepts they have been taught, use them with very little training,” said Marbley. “The nine millimeter is a very standard pistol and it’s not just for staff noncommissioned officers anymore.”
The M16 is still the most common weapon Marines use on today’s battlefield, but there are a wide variety of weapon systems the Marine Corps uses on a daily basis, both in the field and in garrison.
“It was good. I learned a lot. And now, just with today’s training, I feel if I needed to I would be able to pick up a lot of different types of weapon systems and use them effectively,” said Lance Cpl. Caden F. Lister, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron radar technician. “You never know what type of scenario you might be put into while in combat. But if my M16 ever went down, now I can effectively use other military weapons and have that ability to keep going and complete the mission.”