Photo By Cpl. Daniel Blatter | Working at the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward) armory at Camp...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan. — Many have heard the phrase "every Marine is a rifleman," but, how would that long-standing creed hold up without armorers?
"Every Marine is a rifleman, but not without a rifle," said Sgt. Ryan B. Deleveaux, the platoon sergeant for the 1st Marine Division (Forward) armory.
Meticulous maintenance of weapons has always been a vital factor in the success of the Marine rifle squad, which is why these Marines work around the clock to keep Marines in the fight.
In the states, a Marine could go to most armories between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and have access to their rifle, but here in Afghanistan the work day is a bit longer.
"Unlike some of the other sections, this is a 24-hour manned post," said Deleveaux, 25, from Miami. "At the end of the day when others go home, we leave a Marine armorer posted through the night."
Although the armory staff is small, their mission is anything but. These Marines are responsible for tracking and maintaining more than 2,400 weapons and 'optics.'
"We make sure that all the weapons here are fully operable," said Cpl. Anibal G. Sanchez, the maintenance chief at the armory. "Without an armorer or someone to repair the weapons, what are you going to return fire with?"
The Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Fwd) armory is shared with 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Bn. and 1st Intelligence Bn.
"We have accountability and security for all the weapons and 'optics,' plus we do maintenance on all the weapons," Deleveaux added. "We make sure that all the weapons that leave the states with our commands, perform in combat and make it back in good working order."
The infamous 'moon dust,' a very fine, sand powder created by extremely hot and dry weather conditions, makes that job a lot more challenging, but as Sanchez explained, that's no excuse for neglecting a weapon.
"It is hard to keep a weapon clean out here," said Sanchez, 25, from Killeen, Texas. "There is a lot of dust out here that causes wear and tear on your weapon, but simple weapons maintenance can keep it in good working order."
Over the course of the next year, 1st Marine Division (Fwd) will count on these Marines to help them uphold the Marine mantra spoken by R. Lee. Ermey's Marine character, Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Full Metal Jacket:
"The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his RIFLE!"
| Date Taken: | 04.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2010 06:25 |
| Story ID: | 48278 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 569 |
| Downloads: | 447 |
This work, Keeping Marines in the fight, by Cpl Daniel Blatter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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