U.S. Senators visit Quantico

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

05.24.2021

Story by Lance Cpl. George Nudo 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Iowa Sen. Joni K. Ernst, and Alabama Sen. Thomas H. Tuberville from the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services visited with Marines assigned to Weapons Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, May 24, 2021. The senators have jurisdiction over the Department of Defense (DoD) and the nation’s military, in association with the development of weapons systems and military operations. The purpose of the visit was to gather feedback from Marines regarding the integration of new weapons systems, the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle and the Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) Sauer P320-M18.
Iowa Sen. Joni K. Ernst, and Alabama Sen. Thomas H. Tuberville, were in attendance of the congressional delegation visit. Their priorities include the delegation of funds required by the DoD for strategic and critical materials necessary for common defense.

“We are intent on making sure our Airmen, our Soldiers, our Marines and our Sailors are outfitted with the absolute best [equipment] that we can provide,” said Ernst. “We are making sure the weapon systems that we are pushing out to the force is workable for them.”

Tuberville emphasized the importance of learning and growing within his obligations as a senator.
“I’ve been in this position for about five months now and I’m trying to find out as much about the military and all the different services,” said Tuberville. “Coming out here today gives us a chance to learn a little bit more about the Marines and Quantico.” Marines from Weapons Training Battalion continue to look for ways to improve their marksmanship capabilities; their relationship with the Marine Corps Systems Command, allows them to field new weapons and assist in implementing training across the Marine Corps.

“Weapons Training Battalion’s core mission is to serve as the Marine Corps proponent for marksmanship so essentially we are the caretakers,” said Lt. Col. Matthew D. Bronson, executive officer, Weapons Training Battalion. “We ensure standardization and quality control.”

The feedback provided by the Marines during the congressional delegation visit will be used to inform the Senate Committee on Armed Services of future spending needs. These efforts will continue to showcase the Marine Corps as a capable and lethal fighting force.

• Date Taken: 05.24.2021
• Date Posted: 06.28.2021 07:22
• Story ID: 399762
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US