‘Durable’ Soldiers train, maintain at the range

Photo By Staff Sgt. Walter Carroll | Sgt. Taysha Schuch, a financial management analyst with Bravo Detachment, 9th Financial Management Support Unit, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Sustainment, fires her M4 rifle toward popup targets in the prone supported position May 30 at Range 3. The prone supported position is one of three positions Soldiers use when qualifying their weapons.  

FORT RILEY, KS, UNITED STATES

06.29.2018

Story by Sgt. Walter Carroll 

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade conducted weapons qualifications training throughout the month of May at Range 3, Fort Riley. The M4 military-issued assault rifle range was facilitated by Bravo Detachment, 9th Financial Management Support Unit, Special Troops Battalion, 1st Inf. Div. Sust. Bde., as part of maintaining their unit readiness and improving Soldier tactical skills.
Among the Soldiers from Bravo Detachment were Soldiers from their sister units within the battalion, such as Headquarters Company, 258th Human Resources Company, and 267th Signal Company.
While there, the Soldiers followed standard safety and qualification operations. With the help of the range safety officers, the Soldiers first started with zeroing their rifles, a method used to adjust the weapon for that particular Solider. This method also includes grouping, where a total of six shots must fit inside of the black silhouette of the target. Next, they advanced to qualifying with the use of timed popup targets.
During their time at the range, some of the Soldiers reflected on their experiences as well as some of the things they learned.
“I learned that it is very important for Soldiers to go to the range every time their unit or brother/sister units host a range regardless of whether or not they need to qualify,” said Spc. Zilporah Lewis, a human resources specialist with the 1st Inf. Div. Sust. Bde. “It’s great practice.”
While zeroing and qualifying, Lewis applied her fundamentals of marksmanship including the final portion – squeezing the trigger.
“Prior to shooting each shot I tried to focus on my breathing and trigger squeeze for an accurate shot,” she said.
Spc. Isaiah Jones, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with HHC, 1st Inf. Div. Sust. Bde. Said he went to the range to show himself that he can be tactically proficient.
“It is important because in times of war, knowing how to return fire and shooting your target is essential for winning wars,” Lewis said. “Shooting in combat can be life or death.”
Jones faced one particular challenge helped him for the better.
“I had huge rocks under my body while at the range,” Jones said. “I learned different ways to have my body aligned and still be effective behind a weapon.”
As ranking senior specialists among their junior enlisted peers, Lewis and Jones had words of advice when it comes to weapons qualifications.
“Take your time and pay attention during class,” Lewis said. “Remember the basic fundamentals of marksmanship.
Lewis said to also remember the acronym SPORTs, which instructs Soldiers to slap, pull, observe, release, tap and squeeze.
“Give it your all,” Jones said. “If this was a real life situation you wouldn’t give half effort. You never know, the round you shoot just may save a battle buddy’s life.”

• Date Taken: 06.29.2018
• Date Posted: 07.03.2018 13:45
• Story ID: 283211
• Location: FORT RILEY, KS, US
• Hometown: MONROE, LA, US
• Hometown: OXNARD, CA, US