SRT conducts scenario training

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Story by Lance Cpl. Kris Daberkoe

Date: 08.23.2012
Posted: 08.23.2012 10:25
News ID: 93692
SRT conducts scenario training

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. — Special reaction team operators with the Provost Marshal’s Office aboard the Air Station conducted monthly weapons sustainment training at the Charleston Police Range, Aug. 17.

The Marines and civilians with SRT honed marksmanship and movement skills using their primary weapons, the M-9 service pistol and the M4 carbine.

The training gives the team a chance to experience their weapon handling capability with accelerated training they didn’t receive in boot camp or during a standard rifle range,” said Sgt. Daniel Sloniker, an SRT team leader with H&HS. “It’s a step up so they are able to do they’re job as SRT operators should the need arise.”

The monthly training keeps SRT personnel trained to suppress shootings, hostage situations and crisis as a last resort at the Air Station commanding officers' discretion.

“The training will pay off when we have to employ our weapons with confidence in situations were we have to neutralize the subject,” said Sloniker. “SRT is a (Special Weapons and Tactics) team for the Marine Corps.”

Special reaction team Marines are selected from the top performing Air Station military police junior noncommissioned officers.

“Outstanding Marines within the MP are hand selected, indoctrinated, interviewed and sent to school before they join a team,” said Sloniker.

As sustainment progressed through the day-long training, the Marines’ weapons proficiency gradually increased, said Frederick Calawor, the Provost Marshal’s Office training chief.

“Marksmanship is a perishable skill with six levels of competence,” said Calawor. “Conscious competence is were you can employ the weapon, clear malfunctions, reload and do it under stress, with a time limit, while effectively hitting the enemy where you want to hit. Our goal is for the team to be conscious competent.”