Photo By Sgt. Tabitha Bartley | A squad of mortar men look down range to see if their M224 60mm mortar hit its target...... read more read more
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QUANTICO, Va. - The Basic School combat instructors for Weapons Platoon gave a simulated and live-fire demonstration during crew serve weapons systems training, firing the AT-4, 60 mm and 81 mm mortars, and M240G medium machine gun at Range 7 on Oct. 16.
The Basic School combat instructors don’t just show the proper way to fire an AT-4 or show how impactful any crew served weapons system is, the most important aspect of their job comes from just being around the lieutenants.
“We are the first impression they get of what a non-commissioned officer is,” said Cpl. James Lattimore, The Basic School combat instructor and infantry assualtman. “They will carry that experience with them when they go into the fleet.”
The instructors in weapons platoon work to give the right impression with every interaction with the lieutenants. They pay attention to how they interact with each other, how well they know their skill set and how they act when no one’s watching.
“Their personality as a platoon says it all,” said Capt. Kyle Kurtz, Weapons Company platoon commander. “They have a good time but they also get the job done. They really prepare the lieutenants for what they will face in the fleet.”
Being an instructor is a time-consuming job, but the Marines in the platoon make sure to have a fun time no matter what they are tasked with.
“We try and make the best of anything no matter what the situation is,” said Sgt. Barry Herb, mortar man, squad leader/gunner, and combat instructor with weapons platoon. “As a Marine, if you are told to do something you are going to do it, regardless of the situation and hardships you have to deal with.”
Many of the instructors don’t realize the cast impact they have had on the future of the Marine Corps, through its future leaders.
“I feel like any other teacher does,” said Herb. “I feel good passing out valuable knowledge, but I don’t get to see how it really impacts someone till our paths cross again out in the fleet.”
Being told to do something gets the job done, but it’s not most of the instructor’s motivation for doing the job right.
“I want to give a positive influence of NCOs and their abilities,” said Lattimore. “Our students are going to be the future of the Marine Corps and if they don’t have faith in the NCOs, than no one will.”
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2012 15:42 |
| Story ID: | 96475 |
| Location: | QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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